TELUS Corporation (TU) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
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Overview
The earnings call highlights TELUS's robust customer growth, strategic acquisitions, and positive free cash flow guidance. Despite concerns about pricing and increased churn, the company is leveraging AI and strategic partnerships to address these issues. The 7% dividend increase and strategic deleveraging plans further bolster investor confidence. The Q&A session reveals no major negative surprises, and the optimistic guidance and strategic initiatives suggest a positive outlook for the stock price.
Key Financial Performance
Total mobile and fixed customer growth 198,000 in Q2 2025, driven by mobile phone and connected device additions of 167,000 and fixed customer additions of 31,000. This growth reflects the company's operational excellence and customer service focus.
Postpaid mobile phone churn 0.9%, consistent with Q2 of last year, marking the 12th consecutive year below the 1% level. This stability is attributed to strong customer loyalty.
TTech EBITDA growth 4% year-over-year, consistent with Q1 results. Growth driven by economic margin-accretive customer growth and industry-leading lifetime revenue.
Wireline business fixed customer additions 27,000 Internet net additions and industry-best fixed data services revenue growth of 73%. Growth supported by PureFibre offering and bundled products.
TELUS Health operating revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth 16% and 29% year-over-year, respectively. Growth driven by product enhancements, expanded sales channels, and cost management.
TELUS Health synergies $400 million in combined annualized synergies achieved, exceeding the original target of $150-$200 million. Includes $322 million from cost efficiencies and $78 million from cross-selling strategies.
Mobile network revenue Slight decline due to a 3.3% drop in ARPU, reflecting competitive pressures, lower overage, and roaming revenues. However, IoT revenue grew by 9%.
Fixed data services revenue 3% year-over-year growth, driven by subscriber ARPU growth in Internet, security, and automation, as well as higher managed services in business areas.
TTech adjusted EBITDA 3% growth with margin expansion of 100 basis points to 41.7%. Results driven by profitable customer growth and cost efficiency.
TELUS Health adjusted margin Expanded by 180 basis points to 17.5%, supported by organic growth and acquisitions like Workplace Options.
Free cash flow $535 million, an 11% increase year-over-year, driven by higher EBITDA, lower capital expenditures, and reduced interest paid.
Capital expenditures Declined by $11 million or 2%, primarily due to the completion of wireless and fiber network projects and a transition to a partner build model.
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Operating Highlights
TELUS PureFibre connectivity: Expanded to homes and businesses in Ontario and Quebec, offering AI-fueled smart home energy management, next-generation health care, affordable security, and entertainment solutions.
TELUS Health: Achieved operating revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth of 16% and 29%, respectively, with global lives covered reaching almost 160 million. Realized $400 million in combined annualized synergies since acquiring LifeWorks.
Broadband services expansion: Announced $2 billion investment to expand broadband services in Ontario and Quebec, aiming to drive product innovation, competition, and affordability.
Wireless tower infrastructure: Formed Terrion, a Canadian wireless tower infrastructure operator, with La Caisse acquiring a 49.9% interest. This initiative aims to expand tower access and monetize assets.
Customer growth: Achieved total mobile and fixed customer growth of 198,000 in Q2 2025, including 167,000 mobile additions and 31,000 fixed additions.
Operational efficiencies: Realized $322 million in cost efficiencies and $78 million from cross-selling strategies in TELUS Health. EBITDA growth supported by cost management and synergy optimization.
Asset monetization: Monetized wireless tower infrastructure portfolio through Terrion, reducing leverage and strengthening financial flexibility.
Deleveraging strategy: Targeting a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3x by 2027, supported by asset monetization and operational growth.
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Risk or Challenges
Mobile network revenue decline: Mobile network revenue was down slightly due to lower mobile phone ARPU, ongoing competitive pressures, and reduced overage and roaming revenues.
ARPU decline: A 3.3% decline in ARPU reflects competitive pressures, lower overage, and roaming revenues, though some stabilization is noted.
Goodwill impairment in TELUS Digital: A noncash impairment adjustment to goodwill was recorded due to higher weighted average cost of capital, lower perpetual growth rate, and lower cash flow forecasts from pricing and margin pressures.
Debt leverage: The company has a high leverage ratio of 3.7x, with plans to reduce it to 3x by 2027, which could impact financial flexibility in the short term.
Competitive pressures: Ongoing competitive pressures in the market are impacting ARPU and revenue growth.
Regulatory and wholesale access challenges: The CRTC's wholesale fiber decision and mandated wholesale access could impact profitability and operational flexibility.
Economic margin pressures: Efforts to mitigate network revenue pressures are ongoing, but economic margin pressures remain a challenge.
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Guidance & Outlook
Financial Position and Operational Outlook: TELUS expects continued EBITDA growth and stable capital expenditures, leading to meaningful free cash flow expansion. The company aims to achieve a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3x by 2027, supported by asset monetization initiatives and operational growth.
Tower Infrastructure Monetization: TELUS announced a definitive agreement with La Caisse to acquire a 49.9% interest in its newly formed Canadian wireless tower infrastructure operator, Terrion. This initiative is expected to strengthen TELUS' financial flexibility, accelerate balance sheet deleveraging, and support national wireless access expansion.
TELUS Health Growth: TELUS Health aims to achieve $427 million in annualized synergies by the end of 2025, driven by cost efficiencies and cross-selling strategies. The company plans to accelerate growth momentum through 2025 and beyond, focusing on monetization strategies.
Capital Expenditures and Free Cash Flow: Consolidated capital expenditures are targeted to remain stable at $2.5 billion for 2025, with free cash flow projected at $2.15 billion. The company also plans to reduce leverage ratio to 3.55x by the end of 2025.
Market Conditions and ARPU Trends: TELUS anticipates an improved operating environment as market conditions stabilize. ARPU trends are expected to improve quarter-over-quarter, supported by new activations, rate plan changes, and customer renewals.
Strategic Investments in Broadband: TELUS plans to invest $2 billion to expand broadband services in Ontario and Quebec, aiming to drive product innovation, competition, and affordability in Canada.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Dividend Reinvestment Program: TELUS plans to progressively turn off its discounted dividend reinvestment program over the period leading to 2027.
Share Buyback Program: No specific share buyback program was mentioned in the transcript.
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Key Q&A
Q:Should we read anything in terms of strategic shift from the proposed privatization of TIXT?
A:The move is related to supporting the deleveraging goals of the organization, and there is no indication of a change in monetization strategies for other tech ventures adjacent to telecom.
Q:Can you provide financial details on the towers, such as EBITDA of the entity?
A:The EBITDA has not been disclosed, but all towers are at fair market value rent. The business model is free cash flow positive on an annual basis, with no impact on debt or EBITDA.
Q:What is the long-term impact of the tower deal as more towers are deployed and colocations increase?
A:The demand for data continues to increase, and the partnership with Terrion will build towers for capacity and densification. The business model is expected to remain cash flow positive, even with colocations by other providers.
Q:What gives you the view that the recent improvement in wireless prices could be sustained?
A:The current trend is encouraging, and the market has previously been irrational with NPV-negative outcomes. Over time, economics should drive pricing decisions. Observations from other global markets also suggest more rational behavior could be adopted.
Q:Can you unpack the interest savings versus rent payments for the towers?
A:The combination of interest savings and colo revenue offsets the lease payments, with TELUS still owning 51% of the entity. The model has been agreed upon with the partner.
Q:Why did Koodo reintroduce 5G plans at the flanker level?
A:Reintroducing 5G aligns with customer preferences and economic value objectives. The strategy is based on data size, roaming, speed tiers, and device subsidies, aiming to attract customers while monetizing the flanker strategy.
Q:What caused the $223 million working capital outflow, and will it recur?
A:The outflow is due to timing between payables and receivables, and it is expected to be net neutral for the year.
Q:How long will it take for wireless service revenue to return to positive if pricing discipline is sustained?
A:The majority of the customer base has been repriced, and if current trends continue, an inflection point could be reached within 3 to 4 quarters.
Q:Is the 3% fixed data line growth sustainable?
A:The growth is supported by a diverse portfolio of services, including Internet, security, and business growth. The strategy focuses on profitable growth and leveraging existing customer bases.
Q:What are the plans for real estate and other deleveraging drivers?
A:TELUS is rationalizing real estate and building a portfolio for a potential REIT. Copper decommissioning and monetization of non-strategic ventures are also part of the deleveraging strategy.
Q:What is TELUS' role in Canada's sovereign AI ecosystem?
A:TELUS is focusing on sovereign AI factories, internal AI adoption for productivity, and external AI solutions through TELUS Digital Solutions. Partnerships with NVIDIA and existing data centers are key enablers.
Q:What is causing increased churn in the Internet business, and how is TELUS addressing it?
A:Affordability constraints and competitive intensity are factors. TELUS is leveraging AI for churn prediction and aligning pricing models to improve customer retention.
Q:Will TELUS deploy capital for new data center construction?
A:TELUS is leveraging existing data centers in Rimouski and Kamloops for AI initiatives, minimizing the need for new capital deployment. Partnerships may be considered for future opportunities.
Q:How will the tower partnership with Terrion impact capital deployment?
A:Terrion will build new towers funded by both TELUS and its partner. The model is designed to be cash flow positive, with TELUS consolidating the financials.
Q:Is TELUS exploring partner build activity for fiber?
A:Yes, TELUS is using third-party partners for fiber builds in the West and East, aiming for capital efficiency and strategic growth.
Q:What is TELUS' long-term view on pricing structure and market tiering?
A:TELUS takes a dynamic approach to pricing and market tiering, focusing on ARPU and AMPU levels. The strategy adapts to market conditions and customer preferences.
Q:Is 3x leverage still the right target for TELUS?
A:Yes, 3x net debt to EBITDA is based on minimizing the weighted average cost of capital through a scientific approach, balancing cost of equity and tax-affected debt.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific financial details on the EBITDA of the towers and the exact percentage of the customer base already repriced in the wireless segment. Additionally, they did not disclose the number of passings for fiber builds in the East, citing competitive sensitivity.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
ARPU
Canada
Canadians
Capital Markets
Digital
Internet
La Caisse
Markets Research
Ontario Quebec
President
Research Division
Solutions
TELUS Health
Workplace Options
access
asset
basis
build
commitment
community
competition investment
customer
expansion
expenditure
fiber
foundation
impairment
infrastructure
initiative
phone
position
result
security
service
student
tower
wireless
TU Transcript
TELUS Corporation (T:CA) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive11-8
TELUS shows strong strategic initiatives with EBITDA growth, stable CapEx, and plans for cash flow expansion. The Terrion partnership and AI revenue growth strategy are positive indicators. Despite slight ARPU challenges, TELUS is leveraging AI and bundling to counteract pressure. The Q&A reveals a proactive approach to market dynamics and financial management, including effective lease restructuring. Overall, the earnings call reflects a positive outlook, with strategic growth in health services and internet expansion, likely leading to a stock price increase.
TELUS Corporation (TU) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive8-1
The earnings call highlights TELUS's robust customer growth, strategic acquisitions, and positive free cash flow guidance. Despite concerns about pricing and increased churn, the company is leveraging AI and strategic partnerships to address these issues. The 7% dividend increase and strategic deleveraging plans further bolster investor confidence. The Q&A session reveals no major negative surprises, and the optimistic guidance and strategic initiatives suggest a positive outlook for the stock price.
Earnings call transcript: Thai Union’s Q1 2025 sees net profit rise, revenue dips
Unknown5-23
The earnings call highlighted several negative factors: decreased revenue, increased net debt, negative free cash flow, and significant foreign exchange impacts. Despite a slight increase in net profit and share buybacks, the challenges of high raw material prices, inflation, and tariffs overshadowed positives. The Q&A session reinforced concerns about economic volatility and sales policy issues. The company's cautious outlook, lowered sales growth, and adjusted gross profit margin further indicate a negative sentiment, leading to an expected stock price decline in the range of -2% to -8%.
TELUS Corporation (TU) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive5-9
TELUS's earnings call reflects strong performance, with record customer additions, significant revenue growth in health and agriculture, and improved EBITDA margins. The Q&A revealed management's focus on leveraging AI and synergies for growth, despite some concerns over wireless revenue. The commitment to debt reduction and strategic investments is positive. However, the lack of clarity on free cash flow and DRIP removal timelines tempers enthusiasm slightly. Overall, the company's solid financials and optimistic guidance should lead to a positive stock price movement.
TU Report
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