Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund Announces Third Quarter 2006 Results
TORONTO, November 8, 2006 – Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund (TSX:
MPT.UN – “MPT” or the “Fund”) today announced results for the third quarter of 2006
ended September 30, 2006.
“During the third quarter, the Fund’s operating assets, Cardinal and Leisureworld, continued to
generate stable, sustainable distributions to unitholders,” said Mr. Gregory Smith, President
and Chief Executive Officer. “Our outlook for the remainder of 2006 and into 2007 is positive.
Cardinal is now entering its seasonally high period, when higher power rates and peak output
are expected to drive growth in revenue. At Leisureworld, we expect improved occupancy
levels and the optimization of preferred bed mix to generate increasing cash flow. Overall, we
believe the Fund is well positioned to deliver increasing, sustainable value to unitholders.”
Fund Financial Review
The Fund generated recurring revenue for the quarter of $20.4 million compared with $19.3
million in the same period last year, primarily reflecting a 5.9% increase in the Direct to
Consumer Rate (DCR) that was effective starting in the first quarter of 2006. Total revenue in
the third quarter of 2005 was $20.7 million, including a $1.3 million adjustment in the DCR that
was received during the quarter. Income from operations1 for the Fund was $2.2 million for the
quarter, compared with $2.9 million for the previous corresponding quarter.
The Fund’s distributable cash2 for the quarter was $6.9 million ($0.231 per fully diluted unit),
compared with $6.2 million ($0.295 per fully diluted unit) in the same period last year. This
increase in total distributable cash primarily reflected distributions of $2.6 million from
Leisureworld, the ongoing impact of electricity rate increases under Cardinal’s Power
Purchase Agreement with the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation, and decreased fuel
transportation costs. The increase was partially offset by a DCR adjustment received in the
third quarter of 2005 as well as by the accrual of the Fund’s administration expenses on a
quarterly basis. Prior to 2006, administration costs were primarily recorded in the fourth
quarter. Additionally, the decrease in distributable cash per unit reflects the issuance of units
in the fourth quarter of 2005 as a result of the Leisureworld acquisition.
“We are pleased with the increasing revenue and distributable cash from ongoing operations,”
continued Mr. Smith. “This growth reflects the high quality and stability of our assets.”
Declared distributions to unitholders for the quarter were $7.7 million ($0.255 per unit),
representing a payout ratio of 110% (Q3 2005 – 80%). For the nine months ended September
30, 2006, distributions to unitholders were $22.7 million ($0.755 per unit), representing a
payout ratio of 94% (2005 - 83%). Distributions to unitholders are paid from cash flows from
operations and unrestricted cash balances.
As at September 30, 2006, the Fund had working capital of $16.3 million, including cash and
cash equivalents totalling $10.5 million, of which $4.9 million was allocated to its general,
major maintenance and capital expenditure reserve accounts. The balance of this amount is
maintained as free cash on hand and is available to finance the seasonality of operations and
investment opportunities.
Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund is not an authorised deposit taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act (Cth) 1959 and Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542. Macquarie Bank Limited does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund.
Cardinal Operational Performance
During the quarter, the Cardinal plant had availability of 99.8% compared with 100% in 2005,
capacity of 97.2% compared with 96.1% in 2005 and electricity sales of 306,000 MWh in line
with 2005.
Leisureworld Operational Performance
Through its 45% indirect interest in Leisureworld Senior Care LP (“LSCLP”), the Fund owns a
45% interest in Leisureworld, which it accounts for as an equity investment.
During the quarter, Leisureworld continued to operate in line with expectations, demonstrating
steady growth in revenue. Of Leisureworld’s 19 facilities, 17 long-term care (“LTC”) facilities
are considered mature and had average total occupancy of 98.3% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2006 compared with 92.3% in the same period last year. One facility, Vaughan,
is still in ramp up and recorded average total occupancy of 72.6% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2006 compared with 34.5% in 2005. The remaining facility, Spencer House, is
in the process of being closed and replaced by a new facility in Orillia, which is scheduled to
open by the end of November. Average total occupancy at the Spencer House facility for the
nine months ended September 30, 2006 was 68.5% compared with 93.3% in 2005.
Preferred bed average total occupancy for the same mature facilities was 82.7% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2006 compared with 77.8% in 2005.
Distributions
With the strong step-up in cash flow following the completion of major maintenance at Cardinal
in 2006, the Board of Trustees anticipates maintaining an annual payout ratio of 90% to 95%,
providing growth and stability of distributions to unitholders. Management previously indicated
that in excess of 75% of distributions for 2006 would reflect a return of capital, based on
current operations and barring any significant unexpected external developments. In light of
the proposed tax policy for income trusts announced by the federal government on October
31, 2006, management intends to review the Fund’s tax position with a view to maximizing
unitholder value.
The complete third quarter report for 2006, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis,
and unaudited financial statements, is available on the Investor Centre section of the Fund’s
website at www.macquarie.com/mpt.
Comment on Tax Policy Announcement
On October 31, 2006, the federal government proposed changes in the tax treatment of
income funds and limited partnerships, other than REITs and those that hold portfolio-only
investments. The proposed changes, which appear to effectively tax income funds in a similar,
but not identical manner as corporations, are expected to have the greatest impact on taxdeferred
investors (pension funds and RRSPs) and non-resident investors. The proposed tax
policy is expected to become effective for the Fund in 2011. Management is currently
evaluating the potential impact of the proposed tax policy on the Fund.
The proposed policy suggests that distributions that are characterized as return of capital will
not be taxed. In 2004 and 2005, 100% of the Fund’s distributions were return of capital. A
high return of capital component is expected to mitigate the impact of the proposed tax policy
on unitholders.
The government has indicated that the new rules do not apply to REITs. To be a REIT for this
purpose, a trust must hold no “non-portfolio” properties except real estate, must derive at least
95% of its income from rents, mortgages or gains from real property, and must hold real
property in Canada, cash and government debt that accounts for at least 75% of its equity
value. Management is currently evaluating how this provision could apply to the Fund.
“The Fund has delivered solid growth and value for unitholders since inception, reflecting the
high quality and stability of our assets as well as the success of our operating strategies,”
continued Mr. Smith. “The fundamentals of our business are strong and we remain confident
in the Fund’s long-term growth prospects, including growth through acquisitions. We have four
years to plan for the proposed changes, and, in the interim, unitholders will continue to receive
stable cash distributions and benefit from the Fund’s continuing growth.”
Investor Pack
The Fund has developed an Investor Pack and financial model to assist analysts and
institutional investors in understanding the Fund and its key value drivers. The Investor Pack
is available by contacting Aaron Boles, at 416-607-5009 or aboles@capstoneinfra.com.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Fund will hold a conference call to discuss the third quarter results on Thursday,
November 9, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. The conference call will be available via webcast through the
Fund’s website at www.macquarie.com/mpt and by telephone at 416-695-9701 (local) or 1-
888-334-9269 (toll free). A replay of the conference call will be available until November 16,
2006 and can be accessed by dialling 416-695-5275 (local) or 1-888-509-0081 (toll free), pass
code 633351.
About the Fund
Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund invests in infrastructure assets with an
emphasis on power infrastructure. MPT’s strategy is to acquire and actively manage a highquality
portfolio of long-life infrastructure assets to improve their financial performance and
provide growing and sustainable distributions to unitholders for the long term. MPT’s
infrastructure portfolio includes Cardinal, a 156MW gas-fired cogeneration power station in
Ontario, and a 45% interest in Leisureworld, a leading long-term care provider in Ontario with
over 30 years operating experience. MPT is managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Macquarie Bank Limited and a member of the Macquarie group.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements which
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements use such words as “may”, “will”, “anticipate”,
“believe”, “expect”, “plan” and other similar terminology. These statements reflect current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date
of this news release. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties,
should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be
accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking
statements, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the Cardinal facility and the
power industry, risks associated with MPT’s interest in Leisureworld and the long-term care
sector, and risks associated with the structure of MPT. The risks and uncertainties described
above are not exhaustive and other events and risk factors including risk factors disclosed in
MPT’s filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities could cause actual results to differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon information
currently available and what the Manager currently believes are reasonable assumptions,
however neither the Fund nor the Manager can assure investors that actual results will be
consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this news release, and the Fund and the Manager assume no
obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Fund and the
Manager caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date made.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
"Income from operations" and "distributable cash" do not have any standardized meaning
under Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Management believes
they are useful measures of performance as they provide investors with indications of income
from operations and the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders. The Fund's
method of calculating "income from operations" and "distributable cash" may not be
comparable to other similarly named calculations.
For further information, please contact:
Harry Atterton
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 416 607 5198
Email: harry.atterton@macquarie.com
Aaron Boles
Investor Relations
Tel: (416) 649 1325
Email: aboles@capstoneinfra.com