DBRS Morningstar Assigns a Rating of BBB (low) with a Stable Trend to Cogeco’s Senior Secured Notes Issuance

DBRS Limited (DBRS Morningstar) has assigned a rating of BBB (low), RR1 with a Stable trend to Cogeco Communications Inc.’s (Cogeco or the Company; rated BB (high) with a Stable trend by DBRS Morningstar) $300 million 5.299% Senior Secured Notes due February 16, 2033. The ratings being assigned are based upon the rating on an already-outstanding series of the above-mentioned debt instrument.

DBRS Morningstar expects Cogeco to use an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to repay existing indebtedness under the Company’s $750 million term revolving facility and for other general corporate purposes.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS
There were no Environmental/Social/Governance factors that had a significant or relevant effect on the credit analysis.

A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework can be found in the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/396929/dbrs-morningstar-criteria-approach-to-environmental-social-and-governance-risk-factors-in-credit-ratings (May 17, 2022).

Notes:
All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

The principal methodologies applicable to the ratings are Rating Companies in the Communications Industry (July 21, 2022; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/400203), DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Guarantees and Other Forms of Support (April 4, 2022; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/394683), and DBRS Morningstar Global Criteria: Recovery Ratings for Non-Investment Grade Corporate Issuers (September 1, 2022; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/402218/dbrs-morningstar-global-criteria-recovery-ratings-for-non-investment-grade-corporate-issuers).

The rating methodologies used in the analysis of this transaction can be found at: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/about/methodologies.

A description of how DBRS Morningstar analyzes corporate finance transactions and how the methodologies are collectively applied can be found at: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/397223/interplay-of-global-corporate-finance-rating-methodologies-when-analyzing-corporate-finance-transactions.

The related regulatory disclosures pursuant to the National Instrument 25-101 Designated Rating Organizations are hereby incorporated by reference and can be found by clicking on the link under Related Documents or by contacting us at info@dbrsmorningstar.com.

The conditions that lead to the assignment of a Negative or Positive trend are generally resolved within a 12-month period. DBRS Morningstar trends and ratings are under regular surveillance.

Information regarding DBRS Morningstar ratings, including definitions, policies, and methodologies, is available on www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at info@dbrsmorningstar.com.

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