{"id":382594,"date":"2020-11-17T06:03:41","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T11:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=382594"},"modified":"2020-11-17T06:03:41","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T11:03:41","slug":"george-weston-limited-reports-third-quarter-2020-results2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/george-weston-limited-reports-third-quarter-2020-results2\/","title":{"rendered":"George Weston Limited Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results(2)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Canada NewsWire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

\n TORONTO<\/span>, Nov. 17, 2020<\/span> \/CNW\/ –\u00a0George Weston Limited (TSX: WN) (“GWL” or the “Company”) today announced its consolidated unaudited results for the 16 weeks ended October 3, 2020<\/span>.<\/p>\n

GWL’s 2020 Third Quarter\u00a0Report has been filed on SEDAR and is available at sedar.com and in the Investor Centre section of the\u00a0Company’s website at weston.ca. <\/p>\n

“Our financial results in the third quarter underscore the resiliency of our businesses, with each showing improved financial performance over the second quarter of 2020,” said Galen G. Weston<\/span>, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George Weston Limited. “Loblaw generated strong same-store sales and furthered key strategic initiatives. Choice Properties collected close to 98% of rents in the quarter and made significant progress in its capital recycling program to further improve the quality of its portfolio. And after a very challenging second quarter, Weston Foods experienced an improvement\u00a0in foodservice sales and\u00a0better service levels and manufacturing efficiency, all while continuing to advance its transformation program.”<\/p>\n

Loblaw Companies Limited (“Loblaw”) delivered strong results in a quarter still significantly affected by COVID-19, with same-store sales increases, strong online growth and an improving margin trend, supported by significant investments of $85 million<\/span> to ensure the safety and security of customers and colleagues. Loblaw maintained its commitment to enhance the overall value proposition for consumers, maintaining its promotional intensity. In the quarter, Loblaw made two important announcements in its strategic growth areas of Payments and Rewards and Connected Health, with the launch of the PC Money Account<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>and an investment in Maple Corporation and the launch of a PC Health<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>app, providing Canadians with digital financial services and health and wellness services bolstered by PC Optimum<\/i>\u00a0loyalty rewards.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (“Choice Properties”) results reflected solid earnings, increased rent collections, lower bad debt provisions and the resumption of investment activity after a difficult second quarter. During the third quarter, Choice Properties collected 98% of contractual rents, further underscoring the stability of its necessity-based portfolio. Choice Properties continued to support tenants negatively impacted by the pandemic by providing rent relief through rent deferrals and other arrangements, including participating in the Canada<\/span> Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (“CECRA”) rent relief program, recording a bad debt provision of $4 million<\/span> for certain past due amounts. Additionally, Choice Properties completed three acquisitions and one disposition in the third quarter, consistent with its ongoing commitment to strengthen its balance sheet by improving the quality of the portfolio and reducing leverage.<\/p>\n

Weston Foods sales and earnings improved in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter, as food retailers began to reopen bakery display cases and government mandated restrictions for dine-in restaurants eased in several regions. During the third quarter of 2020, Weston Foods incurred $4 million<\/span> in COVID-19 costs relating to increased health and safety measures to protect its colleagues. Despite the easing of certain COVID-19 restrictions in the quarter, Weston Foods’ year-over-year financial results continue to reflect the negative impact of the pandemic on sales in certain retail categories and foodservice channels. Operationally, service levels and manufacturing efficiency improved, and the benefits of Weston Foods’ transformation program continued.<\/p>\n

The Company’s strong liquidity and ability to respond to the ever-changing demands of the current environment positions us well for the long term.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\n 2020 THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company in the third quarter of 2020 were $303\u00a0million ($1.96<\/span> per common share), an increase of $234 million<\/span> ($1.52<\/span> per common share) compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was due to the favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling $263\u00a0million ($1.71<\/span> per common share), which was primarily due to the favourable year-over-year impact of the fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability of $181\u00a0million ($1.19<\/span> per common share) as a result of the decrease of Choice Properties’ unit price in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by a decline of $29\u00a0million ($0.19<\/span> per common share) in the Company’s consolidated underlying operating performance. <\/p>\n

Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company(1)<\/sup> in the third quarter of 2020 were $362 million<\/span> ($2.35<\/span> per common share) compared to the same period in 2019, this represented a decrease of $29 million<\/span> ($0.19<\/span> per common share), or 7.4%, due to the impact of higher adjusted income tax expense(1)<\/sup> and higher adjusted net interest expense and other financing charges(1)<\/sup>, partially offset by the overall improvement in the underlying operating performance of the Company’s operating segments including the impact of COVID-19, and certain one-time gains.<\/p>\n

Quarterly common share dividend to be increased by $0.025<\/span>, or 4.8%, from $0.525<\/span> per common share to $0.550<\/span> per common share.<\/p>\n

\n CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

The Company’s results reflect the impact of COVID-19 and the year-over-year impact of the fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability as a result of the significant changes in Choice Properties’ unit price, recorded in net interest expense and other financing charges. The Company’s results are impacted by market price fluctuations of Choice Properties’ Trust Units on the basis that the Trust Units held by unitholders, other than the Company, are redeemable for cash at the option of the holder and are presented as a liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s financial results are negatively impacted when the Trust Unit price rises and positively impacted when the Trust Unit price declines.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\n (unaudited)
<\/span>
\n ($ millions except where otherwise indicated)
<\/span>
\n For the periods ended as indicated<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 16 Weeks Ended<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n

\n 40 Weeks Ended<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Oct. 3, 2020<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n Oct. 5, 2019<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $ Change<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n % Change<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n Oct. 3, 2020<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n Oct. 5, 2019<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $ Change<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n % Change<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Revenue<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 16,209<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 15,226<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 983<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 6.5<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 40,899<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 38,002<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 2,897<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 7.6<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Operating income<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 983<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 884<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 99<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 11.2<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 1,982<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 2,240<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n (258)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n (11.5)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n Adjusted EBITDA(1)<\/sup><\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 1,715<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 1,661<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 54<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 3.3<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 4,106<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 4,132<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (26)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (0.6)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)<\/sup><\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n

\n
\n 10.6%<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n

\n 10.9%<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n

\n
\n 10.0%<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n

\n 10.9%<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Net earnings (loss) <\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n
\n attributable to <\/span>shareholders
of\u00a0the\u00a0Company<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 317<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 83<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 234<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 281.9<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 664<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n (201)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 865<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 430.3<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Net earnings (loss) available<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n to common shareholders
of\u00a0the\u00a0Company<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 303<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 69<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 234<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 339.1<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 630<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n (235)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 865<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 368.1<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n Adjusted net earnings<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n available to common
shareholders
of the Company(1)<\/sup><\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 362<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 391<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (29)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (7.4)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 743<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 855<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (112)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (13.1)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n Diluted net earnings <\/b>
\n (loss) <\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n
\n per common share ($)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 1.96<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 0.44<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 1.52<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 345.5<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 4.08<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n (1.55)<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 5.63<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 363.2<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n %<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n Adjusted diluted net <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

\n earnings per
common\u00a0share(1)\u00a0<\/sup>($)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 2.35<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 2.54<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (0.19)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (7.5)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n $<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n
\n 4.82<\/b>
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n 5.54<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n $<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (0.72)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n (13.0)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n %<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

In the third quarter of 2020, the Company recorded net earnings available to common shareholders of the Company of $303\u00a0million ($1.96<\/span> per common share), an increase of $234 million<\/span> ($1.52<\/span> per common share) compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was due to the favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling $263\u00a0million ($1.71<\/span> per common share), partially offset by a decline of $29\u00a0million ($0.19<\/span> per common share) in the Company’s consolidated underlying operating performance, as set out below:<\/p>\n