TELUS Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Core Insights - TELUS reported a record free cash flow of CAD 2.2 billion for 2025, with guidance for 2026 indicating continued growth in service revenue and adjusted EBITDA of 2-4% [4][7][9] - The company emphasized customer loyalty, achieving a postpaid mobile phone churn rate of 0.97%, marking the 12th consecutive year below 1% [1][5] - Leadership transition is underway, with CEO Darren Entwistle announcing his retirement effective June 30, 2026, and former CIBC CEO Victor Dodig set to take over [2][5] Financial Performance - TELUS generated record free cash flow of CAD 2.2 billion in 2025, an 11% increase from 2024, and expects free cash flow to grow to approximately CAD 2.45 billion in 2026 [4][9] - Adjusted EBITDA for TELUS increased by 3.1% in 2025, with a forecast for similar growth in 2026 [7][8] - The company reported a decline in ARPU of 1.6% in Q4, but noted it was the strongest sequential improvement among peers [7] Customer Growth - TELUS added 1.1 million combined mobile and fixed net customers in 2025, including a record 716,000 connected device additions [5][6] - In Q4, the company achieved 377,000 total telecom customer net additions, with wireless net additions of 337,000 [6] Health and Digital Initiatives - TELUS Health reported double-digit revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth, with CAD 431 million in annualized synergies from the LifeWorks acquisition [10][11] - The company aims to grow AI-enabling capabilities revenue from CAD 800 million in 2025 to approximately CAD 2 billion by 2028 [12] Capital Allocation and Leverage - TELUS is reducing its dividend reinvestment plan discount to 1.75% from 2%, with plans for further reductions through 2026 and 2027 [14] - The company ended 2025 with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.4x, with expectations to reach about 3.3x by the end of 2026 [15] Competitive Landscape - TELUS executives noted increased promotional activity in the wireless market, with a strategy to maintain premium brand economics while focusing on churn and cash flow [16]