4.80% Notes, Series CAO due December 15, 2028
4.95% Notes, Series CAP due February 18, 2031
5.10% Sustainability-Linked Notes, Series CAN due February 15, 2034
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 12, 2024 – TELUS announced today it has priced $1.8 billion of senior unsecured notes in three series, the first with a 4-year and 10-month maturity, the second with a 7-year maturity and the third with a 10-year maturity. The notes are offered through a syndicate of agents led by CIBC World Markets Inc, RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc. Closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about February 15, 2024.
The 4.80% notes, Series CAO, were priced at $99.895 per $100 principal amount for an effective yield of 4.826% per annum until maturity, and will mature on December 15, 2028.
The 4.95% notes, Series CAP, were priced at $99.707 per $100 principal amount for an effective yield of 5.000% per annum until maturity, and will mature on February 18, 2031.
The 5.10% Sustainability-Linked notes, Series CAN (the “Series CAN Notes”), were priced at $99.644 per $100 principal amount for an effective yield of 5.146% per annum until maturity, subject to a possible interest rate step-up, and will mature on February 15, 2034.
The net proceeds of this offering will be used for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, including all or a portion of the repayment upon maturity of TELUS’ 3.35% Series CK Notes due April 2024, as well as the repayment of a portion of commercial paper (incurred for general working capital purposes) and/or the repayment of a portion of TELUS’ $1.1 billion unsecured Credit Facility with a term expiring July 2024, and for other general corporate purposes.
The Series CAN notes are “Sustainability-Linked Bonds” issued pursuant to TELUS’ Sustainability-Linked Bond Framework announced on June 14, 2021, as it may be amended, restated and/or replaced from time to time (the “Framework”) and will be TELUS’ sixth bond offering under the Framework. As part of the Framework, TELUS has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by 46% from 2019 levels by 2030. Should TELUS fail to achieve this target (the “Sustainability Performance Target”) by December 31, 2030, the interest payable on the Series CAN Notes will increase by 0.50% per annum, as will be further detailed in the prospectus supplement that TELUS will be filing to its short form base shelf prospectus dated August 8, 2022 with securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. The interest payable on the Series CAN Notes may also increase in certain circumstances if TELUS fails to meet additional sustainability and/or environmental, social or governance (“ESG”) targets as provided for in a future “Sustainability-Linked Bond” (a “Future SLB”) issued by TELUS pursuant to the Framework. The interest rate on the Series CAN Notes, however, can in no event exceed the initial rate of 5.10% by more than 1.00% per annum in the aggregate, whether as a result of the failure to achieve the Sustainability Performance Target and/or any targets under one or more Future SLBs.
The Series CAN Note offering supports TELUS’ commitment to environmental sustainability by linking financing to the achievement of ambitious ESG targets. The target set out in the Framework was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”), further demonstrating TELUS’ global sustainability leadership and support of the world’s fight against climate change. The Sustainability Performance Target is consistent with reductions required to limit warming to below 1.5°C, which at the time of publication of the Framework, was considered the most ambitious designation available through the SBTi process.
TELUS will report annually on its performance against the Sustainability Performance Target and will also obtain an annual independent and external verification of its performance against the Sustainability Performance Target in the form of a limited assurance report. TELUS’ performance as well as the limited assurance report will be included in its annual Sustainability and ESG Report, or other similar report(s) as the case may be, and will be available on TELUS’ website.
Sustainalytics, a leading independent ESG research, ratings and analytics firm, issued a Second Party Opinion in June 2021 (as subsequently extended) confirming that the Framework aligns with the International Capital Market Association’s Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles, 2020.
This media release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any Canadian securities regulatory authority, nor has any authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement. The notes have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no notes of any series are being offered in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. person.
The notes of each series are being offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus of TELUS dated August 8, 2022. The short form base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplement contain important detailed information about each series of notes. Copies of the short form base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of each series of notes when filed with securities regulatory authorities in Canada may be obtained from the Chief Legal and Governance Officer of TELUS at 510 W. Georgia St., 23rd Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 0M3 (telephone 604-695-6420). Copies of these documents are, or will be, available electronically on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval of the Canadian Securities Administrators+ (“SEDAR+”), at www.sedarplus.ca. Investors should read the short form base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplement before making an investment decision.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements about future events pertaining to the offering, including the anticipated closing date of the offering, the intended use of the net proceeds of the offering, the Framework, including TELUS’ commitment to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46% from 2019 levels by 2030, the increase in the interest rate per annum of the Series CAN Notes if TELUS fails to reach the Sustainability Performance Target by the required date, the increase in the interest rate per annum of the Series CAN Notes if TELUS fails to reach additional ESG targets as provided for in a Future SLB(s), and TELUS’ commitments to report annually on its performance against its Sustainability Performance Target, to obtain an annual independent and external verification of its performance against the Sustainability Performance Target in the form of a limited assurance report and to include such performance and such limited assurance report in TELUS’ annual Sustainability and ESG Report or other similar reports and make them available on TELUS’ website. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and predictions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties including: risks associated with capital and debt markets; TELUS’ ability to identify, procure and implement solutions to reduce energy consumption and adopt cleaner sources of energy; TELUS’ ability to identify and make suitable investments in renewable energy, including in the form of virtual power purchase agreements; TELUS’ ability to continue to realize significant absolute reductions in energy use and the resulting GHG emissions in its operations (in part as a result of programs and initiatives focused on our buildings and network); and other risks associated with achieving TELUS’ goals to reduce its GHG emission targets by 2030. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. The timing and closing of the above-mentioned offering are subject to customary closing conditions and other risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future performance and events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, this news release is subject to the disclaimer and the qualifications and risk factors as set out in our 2023 annual management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A), and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca) and in the United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with more than $20 billion in annual revenue and over 19 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better.
Operating in 32 countries around the world, TELUS International (TSX andNYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including AI and content moderation, for global and disruptive brands across strategic industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and others.
TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader, which provides employee and family primary and preventive healthcare and wellbeing solutions. Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health professionals, are leveraging the combination of TELUS’ strong digital and data analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client service to dramatically improve remedial, preventive and mental health outcomes covering nearly 70 million lives, and growing, around the world. As the largest provider of digital solutions and digital insights of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods enables efficient and sustainable production from seed to store, helping improve the safety and quality of food and other goods in a way that is traceable to end consumers.
Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS and our team to contribute $1.7 billion, including 2.2 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us at @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram
Investor Relations
Ian McMillan
(604) 317-8768
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Media Relations
Steve Beisswanger
(514) 865-2787
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SOURCE TELUS Corporation
