Despite difficult economy, Transcontinental improves profitability

MONTREAL - Before unusual items and despite the difficult economic situation, Transcontinental's profitability in the third quarter increased due to its rationalization program and the daily efforts by employees across the organization to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Furthermore, the full impact of the new contracts announced previously, including contracts to print the Rogers Communications' magazines and direct marketing products, the startup of printing of the San Francisco Chronicle daily paper, the customers gained in flyer and newspaper printing, the excellent performance in educational book publishing, and the success of its integrated service offering which combines new digital platforms with print, partially offset the decrease in revenues stemming from the recession.

- Increase of 5% in adjusted operating income before amortization despite a 9% decrease in consolidated revenue compared to third quarter of 2008.

- Before the negative impact of reduced direct mail activities in the United States, adjusted operating income before amortization would have increased 10% and consolidated revenue would have decreased 5%.

- Increase of 4% in adjusted net income, which excludes unusual items such as restructuring costs; on a per-share basis, adjusted net income increased from $0.37 to $0.39.

- Decrease of 15% in net income, primarily due to unusual items; on a per-share basis, net income decreased from $0.37 to $0.31.

- Adoption of a new capital structure indicator, the ratio of net indebtedness (including the securitization program) to adjusted operating income before amortization. The objective is to maintain this ratio within a range of 2.00 to 2.50 and we expect to achieve this by the end of fiscal 2011. As at July 31, 2009, the ratio was 3.18.

- Concluded financing agreements totalling $135 million and obtained increase of $25 million in Corporation's credit facilities.

- Started printing the San Francisco Chronicle on July 6 as scheduled and gained new newspaper printing customers in Quebec.

- Launched mobile versions of three business and financial publications.

- Corporate Knights magazine includes Transcontinental in its annual ranking of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens for its environmental efforts.

"What is especially satisfying in our third-quarter results is the improved profitability over the two previous quarters and compared to the solid third quarter of 2008," said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcontinental. "For the first time this year, our financial results were better than last year's. We're beginning to see the full impact of the tough decisions the recession obliged us to make from the start of the fiscal year. I'd like to thank our employees for their commitment to their company, which has had them working on many efficiency improvement and cost-savings initiatives. Thanks to everyone's efforts, Transcontinental is now a more flexible organization and in a position to keep developing its integrated service offering, which is unique in Canada. Our enviable financial position, strengthened by two new loans and an increase in our credit facilities in the third quarter, means that we can continue to invest wisely and prudently in our future."

"The market is still fragile," noted Mr. Olivier, "but we are headed in the right direction. I am certain that we will come out of the recession stronger and in a good position to take advantage of the economic recovery."

The Corporation has decided to now use the ratio of net indebtedness (including the securitization program) to adjusted operating income before amortization as its primary indicator of financial leverage. In addition, Transcontinental has set the objective of maintaining this ratio within a target range of 2.00 to 2.50 and expects to achieve that by the end of fiscal 2011. As at July 31, 2009, the ratio was 3.18. Furthermore, as at July 31, 2009, the Corporation's net indebtedness to total capitalization ratio was 49%, within the 35% - 50% range set by management.