TU to issue long-dated fixed-to-fixed subordinated notes with deferral option
Telus Corporation (TU) has filed a preliminary prospectus supplement under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) to issue two separate U.S-dollar Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes—Series A and Series B—each maturing in 2055.
Coupon structure: Series A carries a fixed rate until its first reset date in 2030; Series B is fixed until 2035. After the respective first reset, the coupon for each five-year period will equal the five-year U.S. Treasury rate plus a stated spread, but will not fall below a contractual floor. Interest is payable semi-annually, with the first payment scheduled for 2026.
Deferral feature: Telus may defer interest on either series for up to five consecutive years, without causing an event of default; deferred amounts compound and must be repaid at maturity or earlier redemption. If interest is deferred, dividend and parity-security payment restrictions apply.
Redemption terms: The company may redeem (i) during the 90-day window prior to each series’ first reset date and on the reset date, or (ii) on any interest payment date thereafter, at 100 % of principal plus accrued interest. A Tax Event allows full redemption at 100 %; a Rating Event permits full redemption at 102 %.
Ranking: The notes are unsecured and rank junior to all existing and future senior indebtedness, equal to parity indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to subsidiary liabilities.
Market & distribution: No established secondary market exists; liquidity may therefore be limited. Underwriters are affiliates of lenders under Telus’ CA$2.75 bn revolving credit facility, making the issuer a “connected issuer” under Canadian securities rules. Pricing details, including coupon rates, spreads, issue size and underwriting discounts, are not yet disclosed in this preliminary filing.
Positive
- Long-dated hybrid capital can bolster regulatory and rating-agency equity credit, supporting Telus’ balance-sheet flexibility.
- Interest-deferral option gives management additional liquidity management levers during stress periods without triggering default.
Negative
- Incremental leverage from subordinated debt raises overall obligations for the issuer.
- Deep subordination and lack of collateral reduce recovery prospects for noteholders.
- No established secondary market may lead to pricing discounts and limited liquidity for investors.
Insights
TL;DR: Hybrid notes add long-dated capital with optional deferral; credit impact neutral until coupons, size and ratings are finalised.
The proposed 30-year junior subordinated notes exhibit equity-like characteristics—deep subordination, interest-deferral and long tenor—so rating agencies often assign partial equity credit. That can modestly support Telus’ senior leverage metrics without materially pressuring cash flows in the near term. However, until the coupon and issue size are disclosed, the true effect on fixed-charge coverage cannot be quantified. Subordination means recovery value is low, but investors are compensated through higher spreads once priced. From a credit standpoint, the transaction appears structurally neutral: leverage rises, yet capital quality improves.
TL;DR: Event is modest for equity holders; attractiveness for bond buyers hinges on eventual coupon versus Telus senior curve and limited liquidity.
For portfolio allocation, these notes will likely price 250-350 bp wide of the company’s senior curve to reflect deep subordination and the five-year reset feature. The optional interest deferral warrants additional spread premium, while the 2055 maturity concentrates extension risk. Lack of an established secondary market further diminishes liquidity. Equity investors should see minimal dilution but incrementally higher leverage. Overall, the filing is routine funding rather than a transformational capital event.
File No. 333-281233
To a Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus dated August 2, 2024
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Price to
Public(1) |
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Underwriters’
Discount(2) |
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Net Proceeds
to the Company(2)(3)(4) |
|
|
Series A Notes, per U.S.$1,000 principal amount
|
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U.S.$
|
| |
U.S.$
|
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U.S.$
|
|
|
Series B Notes, per U.S.$1,000 principal amount
|
| |
U.S.$
|
| |
U.S.$
|
| |
U.S.$
|
|
|
Total
|
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U.S.$
|
| |
U.S.$
|
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U.S.$
|
|
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J.P. Morgan
|
| |
RBC Capital Markets
|
|
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CURRENCY
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| | | | S-1 | | |
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
|
| | | | S-1 | | |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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| | | | S-2 | | |
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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| | | | S-2 | | |
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SUMMARY
|
| | | | S-6 | | |
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CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
|
| | | | S-13 | | |
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USE OF PROCEEDS
|
| | | | S-15 | | |
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EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIOS
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| | | | S-15 | | |
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RISK FACTORS
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| | | | S-16 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
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| | | | S-21 | | |
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CERTAIN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
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| | | | S-34 | | |
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UNDERWRITING
|
| | | | S-38 | | |
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LEGAL MATTERS
|
| | | | S-46 | | |
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INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
|
| | | | S-46 | | |
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
|
| | | | 1 | | |
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REFERENCE TO CURRENCY
|
| | | | 2 | | |
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
| | | | 3 | | |
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TELUS CORPORATION
|
| | | | 6 | | |
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USE OF PROCEEDS
|
| | | | 6 | | |
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EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIOS
|
| | | | 6 | | |
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PRIOR SALES
|
| | | | 7 | | |
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MARKET PRICE AND TRADING VOLUME
|
| | | | 7 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
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| | | | 8 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
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| | | | 20 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
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| | | | 22 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND SHARE PURCHASE OR EQUITY UNITS
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| | | | 24 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
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| | | | 25 | | |
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DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
|
| | | | 26 | | |
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RISK FACTORS
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| | | | 26 | | |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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| | | | 27 | | |
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LEGAL MATTERS
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| | | | 27 | | |
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EXPERTS
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| | | | 27 | | |
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WELL-KNOWN SEASONED ISSUER
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| | | | 27 | | |
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DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
|
| | | | 27 | | |
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Years Ended
December 31, |
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Three Months Ended
March 31, |
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| | | |
2022
|
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2023
|
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2024
|
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2024
|
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2025
|
|
|
Average daily exchange rate on last day of the period
|
| |
U.S.$0.7383
|
| |
U.S.$0.7561
|
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U.S.$0.6950
|
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U.S.$0.7380
|
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U.S.$0.6956
|
|
| | | |
As at March 31, 2025
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| | | |
Actual
|
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As adjusted(1)
|
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(millions)
|
| |||||||||
|
Cash and temporary investments, net
|
| | | $ | 1,014 | | | | | $ | (2)(3) | | |
|
Amounts arising from the Receivables Trust
|
| | | $ | 1,325 | | | | | $ | 1,325 | | |
|
Total short-term debt
|
| | | | 1,325 | | | | | | 1,325 | | |
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| TELUS Corporation Senior Notes: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CL: 4.40% due April 2043
|
| | | | 596 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CN: 5.15% due November 2043
|
| | | | 396 | | | | | | 396 | | |
|
Series CP: 4.85% due April 2044
|
| | | | 886 | | | | | | 886 | | |
|
Series CR: 4.75% due January 2045
|
| | | | 396 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CU: 4.40% due January 2046
|
| | | | 497 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CV: 3.75% due March 2026
|
| | | | 599 | | | | | | 599 | | |
|
Series CW: 4.70% due March 2048
|
| | | | 471 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CX: 3.625% due March 2028
|
| | | | 597 | | | | | | 597 | | |
|
Series CY: 3.30% due May 2029
|
| | | | 994 | | | | | | 994 | | |
|
Series CZ: 2.75% due July 2026
|
| | | | 799 | | | | | | 799 | | |
|
Series CAA: 3.15% due February 2030
|
| | | | 597 | | | | | | 597 | | |
|
Series CAB: 3.95% due February 2050
|
| | | | 793 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CAC: 2.35% due January 2028
|
| | | | 598 | | | | | | 598 | | |
|
Series CAD: 2.05% due October 2030
|
| | | | 497 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CAE: 4.10% due April 2051
|
| | | | 494 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CAF: 2.85% due November 2031
|
| | | | 745 | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CAG: 5.25% due November 2032
|
| | | | 1,092 | | | | | | 1,092 | | |
|
Series CAH: 5.65% due September 2052
|
| | | | 544 | | | | | | 544 | | |
|
Series CAI: 5.00% due September 2029
|
| | | | 348 | | | | | | 348 | | |
|
Series CAJ: 4.95% due March 2033
|
| | | | 496 | | | | | | 496 | | |
|
Series CAK: 5.75% due September 2033
|
| | | | 844 | | | | | | 844 | | |
|
Series CAL: 5.95% due September 2053
|
| | | | 394 | | | | | | 394 | | |
|
Series CAM: 5.60% due September 2030
|
| | | | 497 | | | | | | 497 | | |
|
Series CAN: 5.10% due February 2034
|
| | | | 496 | | | | | | 496 | | |
|
Series CAO: 4.80% due December 2028
|
| | | | 696 | | | | | | 696 | | |
|
Series CAP: 4.95% due February 2031
|
| | | | 595 | | | | | | 595 | | |
|
Series CAQ: 4.65% due August 2031
|
| | | | 695 | | | | | | 695 | | |
|
2.80% Notes due February 2027(4)
|
| | | | 860 | | | | | | 860 | | |
| | | |
As at March 31, 2025
|
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| | | |
Actual
|
| |
As adjusted(1)
|
| ||||||
| | | |
(millions)
|
| |||||||||
|
3.70% Notes due September 2027(5)
|
| | | | 717 | | | | | | 717 | | |
|
3.40% Notes due May 2032(6)
|
| | | | 1,283 | | | | | | 1,283 | | |
|
4.60% Notes due November 2048(7)
|
| | | | 1,058 | | | | | | | | |
|
4.30% Notes due June 2049(8)
|
| | | | 707 | | | | | | | | |
|
TELUS Corporation Commercial Paper(3)
|
| | | | 2,116 | | | | | | 1,092 | | |
|
TELUS Corporation Credit Facility(3)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Other (unsecured)(9)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 288 | | |
| TELUS Corporation Junior Subordinated Notes: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Series CAR: 6.25% Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, due July 21,
2055(10) |
| | | | — | | | | | | 1,475 | | |
|
Series CAS: 6.75% Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, due July 21,
2055(10) |
| | | | — | | | | | | 925 | | |
|
% Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series A due , 2055 offered hereby
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
% Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series B due , 2055 offered hereby
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. Credit Facility(11)
|
| | | | 1,649 | | | | | | 1,649 | | |
| TELUS Communications Inc. Debentures: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Series B: 8.80% due September 2025
|
| | | | 200 | | | | | | 200 | | |
|
Lease Liabilities
|
| | | | 2,902 | | | | | | 2,902 | | |
|
Other
|
| | | | 580 | | | | | | 580 | | |
|
Total long-term debt
|
| | | | 28,724 | | | | | | | | |
|
Total debt
|
| | | | 30,049 | | | | | | | | |
| Owners’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Common Shares
|
| | | | 13,327 | | | | | | 13,327 | | |
|
Contributed surplus
|
| | | | 1,111 | | | | | | 1,111 | | |
|
Retained earnings
|
| | | | 1,230 | | | | | | | | |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
| | | | (61) | | | | | | | | |
|
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | 1,179 | | | | | | 1,179 | | |
|
Total owners’ equity
|
| | | | 16,786 | | | | | | | | |
|
Total capitalization
|
| | | $ | 45,821 | | | | | $ | | | |
| | |||||||||||||
|
12-month period ended
|
| |
December 31,
2024 |
| |
March 31,
2025 |
|
|
Earnings coverage ratio
|
| | | | | | |
|
Underwriters
|
| |
Principal
Amount of Series A Notes |
| |
Principal
Amount of Series B Notes |
| ||||||
|
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
|
| | | U.S.$ | | | | | U.S.$ | | | ||
|
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Total
|
| | | U.S.$ | | | | | U.S.$ | | | | |
| | | |
Paid by the
Company |
| |||
|
Per Series A Note
|
| | | | % | | |
|
Per Series B Note
|
| | | | % | | |
| |
New Issue
|
| |
August 2, 2024
|
|
Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Warrants to Purchase Equity Securities
Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities
Share Purchase Contracts
Share Purchase or Equity Units
Subscription Receipts
| |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
|
| | | | 1 | | |
| |
REFERENCE TO CURRENCY
|
| | | | 2 | | |
| |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
| | | | 3 | | |
| |
TELUS CORPORATION
|
| | | | 6 | | |
| |
USE OF PROCEEDS
|
| | | | 6 | | |
| |
EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIOS
|
| | | | 6 | | |
| |
PRIOR SALES
|
| | | | 7 | | |
| |
MARKET PRICE AND TRADING VOLUME
|
| | | | 7 | | |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
|
| | | | 8 | | |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
|
| | | | 20 | | |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
|
| | | | 22 | | |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND SHARE PURCHASE OR EQUITY UNITS
|
| | | | 24 | | |
| |
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
|
| | | | 25 | | |
| |
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
|
| | | | 26 | | |
| |
RISK FACTORS
|
| | | | 26 | | |
| |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
LEGAL MATTERS
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
EXPERTS
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
WELL-KNOWN SEASONED ISSUER
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
|
| | | | 27 | | |
are references to TELUS Corporation, its consolidated subsidiaries and predecessor companies.
|
12-month period ended
|
| |
December 31, 2023
|
| |
June 30, 2024
|
|
|
Earnings coverage ratios
|
| |
1.8 times
|
| |
1.8 times
|
|
| | | |
Price Range
|
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| | | |
High
|
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Low
|
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Volume
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($)
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($)
|
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| 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
August 1
|
| | | | 22.73 | | | | | | 22.16 | | | | | | 3,588,827 | | |
|
July
|
| | | | 22.41 | | | | | | 20.04 | | | | | | 58,265,106 | | |
|
June
|
| | | | 22.97 | | | | | | 20.67 | | | | | | 86,230,778 | | |
|
May
|
| | | | 22.75 | | | | | | 21.84 | | | | | | 72,594,483 | | |
|
April
|
| | | | 22.42 | | | | | | 21.12 | | | | | | 69,981,528 | | |
|
March
|
| | | | 23.97 | | | | | | 21.31 | | | | | | 68,162,340 | | |
|
February
|
| | | | 24.47 | | | | | | 22.83 | | | | | | 64,484,858 | | |
|
January
|
| | | | 24.92 | | | | | | 23.31 | | | | | | 50,342,027 | | |
| 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
December
|
| | | | 25.94 | | | | | | 23.19 | | | | | | 64,997,918 | | |
|
November
|
| | | | 24.62 | | | | | | 22.42 | | | | | | 48,190,657 | | |
|
October
|
| | | | 23.07 | | | | | | 21.16 | | | | | | 48,247,652 | | |
|
September
|
| | | | 24.04 | | | | | | 21.81 | | | | | | 56,305,417 | | |
|
August 2-31
|
| | | | 24.18 | | | | | | 22.28 | | | | | | 56,464,198 | | |
AND SHARE PURCHASE OR EQUITY UNITS