DAVENPORT, Iowa (Jan. 17, 2012) -- Lee
Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE) reported
today that for its first fiscal quarter ended
December 25, 2011, earnings totaled 32
cents per diluted common share, compared with 42
cents a year ago. Excluding refinancing costs and
other unusual matters, adjusted earnings per
diluted common share(1) were 38 cents, compared
with 32 cents a year ago.
Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive officer,
said: "Advertising sales in the quarter
continued largely in line with recent trends and
reflected our expectations, given the
still-uneven economy. Comparisons with a year ago
should take into account that our December 2010
quarter was our strongest of the year, with
revenue then down only 1.0% to prior. We continue
to expect revenue trends to improve slowly in
2012, as we press forward with more digital and
print initiatives. Meanwhile, we expect to
complete our Chapter 11 refinancing process
within a few weeks. Our refinancing agreements,
along with our continued strong cash flow, will
provide a solid financial footing as we continue
reshaping Lee for future growth."
FIRST QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS
Operating revenue for the quarter totaled $199.6
million, a decline of 3.9% compared with a year
ago. Combined print and digital advertising
revenue decreased 6.1% to $142.5 million, with
retail advertising down 5.4%, classified down
9.7% and national up 1.4%. Combined print and
digital classified employment revenue decreased
0.3%, while automotive decreased 4.1%, real
estate decreased 17.9% and other classified
decreased 15.2%. Digital advertising revenue on a
stand-alone basis increased 10.4% to $16.2
million. Print revenue on a stand-alone basis
decreased 7.9%.
Lee's websites and mobile and tablet products
attracted 21.8 million unique visitors in the
month of December 2011, an increase of 10.4% from
a year ago. Mobile page views in December
increased 179% to 28.3 million. Circulation
revenue increased 2.7%.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation,
amortization and unusual matters, decreased 5.0%.
Compensation declined 5.7%, with the average
number of full-time equivalent employees down
7.2%. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 5.2%, a
result of a reduction in newsprint volume of
5.9%. Other operating expenses decreased 4.1%.
For the 2012 fiscal year, operating expenses,
excluding depreciation, amortization and unusual
matters are expected to decrease 1.5-2.5% from
the 2011 level, in line with previous
guidance.
Operating cash flow(2) decreased 1.1% from a year
ago to $53.5 million. Operating cash flow
margin(2) increased to 26.8% from 26.1% a year
ago. Including equity in earnings of associated
companies, depreciation and amortization, as well
as unusual matters in both years, the company
recognized operating income of $39.2 million,
compared with $49.2 million a year ago. A
non-cash curtailment gain of $10.2 million in the
prior year accounted for the change in operating
income between years. Non-operating expenses,
primarily interest expense and debt financing
costs, decreased 6.8%, due to lower debt
balances. Income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated for the quarter totaled $14.6
million, compared with $18.9 million a year
ago.
ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND EPS FOR THE QUARTER
Unusual matters affecting year-over-year
comparisons include debt financing costs in both
years, reorganization costs in the current year
and non-cash curtailment gains in the prior year
quarter. The following table summarizes the
impact from unusual matters on income
attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and
earnings per diluted common share. Per share
amounts may not add due to rounding.
|
13 Weeks Ended
| | | |
December 25
2011
| | |
December 26
2010
| |
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share
Data)
|
Amount
| |
Per Share
| |
Amount
| |
Per Share
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated, as reported
|
14,554
| | |
0.32
| | |
18,945
| | |
0.42
| | | |
Adjustments:
| | | | | | | | | |
Curtailment gain
|
-
| | | | |
(10,172
|
)
| | | | |
Debt financing and reorganization costs
|
3,265
| | | | |
1,966
| | | | | |
Other, net
|
318
| | | | |
313
| | | | | | |
3,583
| | | | |
(7,893
|
)
| | | | |
Income tax effect of adjustments, net, and
unusual tax matters
|
(1,251
|
)
| | | |
3,229
| | | | | | |
2,332
| | |
0.05
| | |
(4,664
|
)
| |
(0.10
|
)
| | |
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated, as adjusted
|
16,886
| | |
0.38
| | |
14,281
| | |
0.32
| | | |
DEBT AND FREE CASH FLOW(3)
Debt was reduced $10.6 million in the current
year quarter. Free cash flow totaled $29.2
million for the quarter, compared with $41.1
million a year ago. Debt financing and
reorganization costs totaling $10.1 million paid
in the current year quarter adversely impacted
free cash flow. Free cash flow in the 12 months
ended December 2011 totaled $77.7 million, net of
$21.4 million of debt financing and
reorganization costs paid.
REFINANCING AND NYSE UPDATES
Carl Schmidt, vice president, chief financial
officer and treasurer, said Lee's voluntary,
prepackaged Chapter 11 case is on course for
timely completion. He said a confirmation hearing
has been scheduled for January 23, 2012, and that
the Court will be asked to set January 30 as the
date to make the agreements effective and
conclude the company's Chapter 11 status. He
said Lee has not drawn on the $40 million of
court-approved interim financing and is not
expected to do so. The $40 million facility will
become a revolving credit upon conclusion of the
refinancing.
Schmidt said Lee continues to be listed on the
New York Stock Exchange, although the stock price
currently remains below the minimum average
closing price of $1 per share. "Lee's
price cure period will extend through its annual
meeting in March 2012 in order to receive
shareholder approval to implement a reverse stock
split, if necessary, as permitted under NYSE
rules. In addition, Lee continues to operate
under a planned cure period with respect to its
minimum market capitalization that provides for a
maximum cure date no later than February 2013,
with continuing assessment by the NYSE
throughout," he said. An increase in the
average closing price to $1 per share would
return Lee to compliance with all quantitative
listing requirements, absent a reverse stock
split.
ABOUT LEE
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local
news and information, and a major platform for
advertising, in its markets, with 48 daily
newspapers and a joint interest in four others,
rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300
specialty publications in 23 states. Lee's
newspapers have circulation of 1.3 million daily
and 1.7 million Sunday, reaching nearly four
million readers in print alone. Lee's
websites and mobile and tablet products attracted
21.8 million unique visitors in December 2011.
Lee's markets include St. Louis, MO; Lincoln,
NE; Madison, WI; Davenport, IA; Billings, MT;
Bloomington, IL; and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee,
please visit www.lee.net.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS -- The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides
a "safe harbor" for forward-looking
statements. This news release contains
information that may be deemed forward-looking
that is based largely on our current
expectations, and is subject to certain risks,
trends and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those
anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other
uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond
our control, are the outcome and impact on our
business of any resulting proceedings under
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, our ability to
generate cash flows and maintain liquidity
sufficient to service our debt, comply with or
obtain amendments or waivers of the financial
covenants contained in our credit facilities, if
necessary, and to refinance our debt as it comes
due. Other risks and uncertainties include the
impact and duration of continuing adverse
economic conditions, changes in advertising
demand, potential changes in newsprint and other
commodity prices, energy costs, interest rates,
availability of credit, labor costs, legislative
and regulatory rulings, difficulties in achieving
planned expense reductions, maintaining employee
and customer relationships, increased capital
costs, maintaining our listing status on the
NYSE, competition and other risks detailed from
time to time in our publicly filed documents. Any
statements that are not statements of historical
fact (including statements containing the words
"may", "will",
"would", "could",
"believe", "expect",
"anticipate", "intend",
"plan", "project",
"consider" and similar expressions)
generally should be considered forward-looking
statements. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements, which are made as of the date of this
release. We do not undertake to publicly update
or revise our forward-looking statements.
Contact: dan.hayes@lee.net, (563) 383-2100
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
|
13 Weeks Ended
|
(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except
Per Share Data)
|
December 25
2011
| |
December 26
2010
| |
Percent Change
| | | | | | |
Advertising revenue:
| | | | | |
Retail
|
91,718
| | |
96,910
| | |
(5.4
|
)
|
Classified:
| | | | | |
Employment
|
8,617
| | |
8,646
| | |
(0.3
|
)
|
Automotive
|
10,338
| | |
10,775
| | |
(4.1
|
)
|
Real estate
|
5,504
| | |
6,700
| | |
(17.9
|
)
|
All other
|
13,165
| | |
15,525
| | |
(15.2
|
)
|
Total classified
|
37,624
| | |
41,646
| | |
(9.7
|
)
|
National
|
10,444
| | |
10,299
| | |
1.4
| |
Niche publications
|
2,715
| | |
2,911
| | |
(6.7
|
)
|
Total advertising revenue
|
142,501
| | |
151,766
| | |
(6.1
|
)
|
Circulation
|
46,697
| | |
45,478
| | |
2.7
| |
Commercial printing
|
3,141
| | |
3,052
| | |
2.9
| |
Digital services and other
|
7,222
| | |
7,372
| | |
(2.0
|
)
|
Total operating revenue
|
199,561
| | |
207,668
| | |
(3.9
|
)
|
Operating expenses:
| | | | | |
Compensation
|
73,577
| | |
78,020
| | |
(5.7
|
)
|
Newsprint and ink
|
14,861
| | |
15,674
| | |
(5.2
|
)
|
Other operating expenses
|
57,243
| | |
59,669
| | |
(4.1
|
)
|
Workforce adjustments
|
337
| | |
192
| | |
75.5
| | |
146,018
| | |
153,555
| | |
(4.9
|
)
|
Operating cash flow
|
53,543
| | |
54,113
| | |
(1.1
|
)
|
Depreciation
|
6,235
| | |
6,523
| | |
(4.4
|
)
|
Amortization
|
10,924
| | |
11,283
| | |
(3.2
|
)
|
Curtailment gain
|
-
| | |
10,172
| | |
NM
|
Equity in earnings of associated companies
|
2,812
| | |
2,705
| | |
4.0
| |
Operating income
|
39,196
| | |
49,184
| | |
(20.3
|
)
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, continued
|
13 Weeks Ended
|
(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except
Per Share Data)
|
December 25
2011
| |
December 26
2010
| |
Percent Change
| | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expense):
| | | | | |
Financial income
|
55
| | |
59
| | |
(6.8
|
)
|
Financial expense
|
(12,752
|
)
| |
(13,437
|
)
| |
(5.1
|
)
|
Debt financing costs
|
(2,024
|
)
| |
(1,966
|
)
| |
3.0
| |
Other, net
|
-
| | |
(453
|
)
| |
NM
| |
(14,721
|
)
| |
(15,797
|
)
| |
(6.8
|
)
|
Income before reorganization costs and
income taxes
|
24,475
| | |
33,387
| | |
(26.7
|
)
|
Reorganization costs
|
1,241
| | |
-
| | |
NM
|
Income before income taxes
|
23,234
| | |
33,387
| | |
(30.4
|
)
|
Income tax expense
|
8,610
| | |
14,407
| | |
(40.2
|
)
|
Net income
|
14,624
| | |
18,980
| | |
(23.0
|
)
|
Net income attributable to non-controlling
interests
|
(70
|
)
| |
(35
|
)
| |
NM
|
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated
|
14,554
| | |
18,945
| | |
(23.2
|
)
| | | | | | |
Earnings per common share:
| | | | | |
Basic
|
0.32
| | |
0.42
| | |
(23.8
|
)
|
Diluted
|
0.32
| | |
0.42
| | |
(23.8
|
)
| | | | | | |
Average common shares:
| | | | | |
Basic
|
44,958
| | |
44,680
| | | |
Diluted
|
44,958
| | |
44,680
| | | |
FREE CASH FLOW
|
13 Weeks Ended
| |
52 Weeks Ended
|
(Thousands of Dollars)
|
December 25 2011
| |
December 26 2010
| |
December 25
2011
| | | | | | |
Operating income (loss)
|
39,196
| | |
49,184
| | |
(113,333
|
)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
17,339
| | |
18,109
| | |
71,656
| |
Impairment of goodwill and other assets,
including TNI Partners
|
-
| | |
-
| | |
217,039
| |
Curtailment gains
|
-
| | |
(10,172
|
)
| |
(5,965
|
)
|
Stock compensation
|
146
| | |
519
| | |
904
| |
Cash interest expense
|
(15,326
|
)
| |
(13,574
|
)
| |
(54,393
|
)
|
Debt financing and reorganization costs
paid
|
(10,136
|
)
| |
(93
|
)
| |
(21,436
|
)
|
Financial income
|
55
| | |
59
| | |
292
| |
Cash income taxes paid
|
(132
|
)
| |
(1,795
|
)
| |
(8,799
|
)
|
Non-controlling interests
|
(70
|
)
| |
(35
|
)
| |
(222
|
)
|
Capital expenditures
|
(1,879
|
)
| |
(1,151
|
)
| |
(8,041
|
)
|
Total
|
29,193
| | |
41,051
| | |
77,702
| |
REVENUE BY REGION
|
13 Weeks Ended
|
(Thousands of Dollars)
|
December 25 2011
| |
December 26 2010
| |
Percent Change
| | | | | | |
Midwest
|
122,043
| | |
125,929
| | |
(3.1
|
)
|
Mountain West
|
37,436
| | |
39,044
| | |
(4.1
|
)
|
West
|
21,267
| | |
23,798
| | |
(10.6
|
)
|
East/Other
|
18,815
| | |
18,897
| | |
(0.4
|
)
|
Total
|
199,561
| | |
207,668
| | |
(3.9
|
)
|
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
|
December 25 2011
| |
December 26 2010
| | | | |
Cash
|
31,428
| | |
17,007
| |
Restricted cash and investments
|
-
| | |
5,123
| |
Debt (Principal Amount)
|
983,615
| | |
1,051,940
| |
SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION
|
13 Weeks Ended
| |
December 25 2011
| |
December 26 2010
| |
Percent Change
| | | | | | |
Capital expenditures (Thousands of Dollars)
|
1,879
| | |
1,151
| | |
63.2
| |
Newsprint volume (Tonnes)
|
21,458
| | |
22,801
| | |
(5.9
|
)
|
Average full-time equivalent employees
|
5,657
| | |
6,099
| | |
(7.2
|
)
|
NOTES
(1)
|
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings
per common share, which are defined as
income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated, and earnings per common share
adjusted to exclude both unusual matters
and those of a substantially non-recurring
nature, are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles) financial measures.
Reconciliations of adjusted net income and
adjusted earnings per common share to
income attributable to Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated, and earnings per common share
are included in tables accompanying this
release.
| |
No non-GAAP financial measure should be
considered as a substitute for any related
GAAP financial measure. However, the
company believes the use of non-GAAP
financial measures provides meaningful
supplemental information with which to
evaluate its financial performance, or
assist in forecasting and analyzing future
periods. The company also believes such
non-GAAP financial measures are alternative
indicators of performance used by
investors, lenders, rating agencies and
financial analysts to estimate the value of
a publishing business and its ability to
meet debt service requirements.
| | |
(2)
|
Operating cash flow, which is defined as
operating income before depreciation,
amortization, impairment charges,
curtailment gains, and equity in earnings
of associated companies, and operating cash
flow margin (operating cash flow divided by
operating revenue) are non-GAAP financial
measures. See (1) above. Reconciliations of
operating cash flow to operating income,
the most directly comparable GAAP measure,
are included in a table accompanying this
release.
| | |
(3)
|
Free cash flow, which is defined as
operating income, plus depreciation and
amortization, impairment charges, stock
compensation, financial income and cash
income tax benefit, minus curtailment
gains, financial expense (exclusive of
non-cash amortization and accretion), cash
income taxes, capital expenditures and
minority interest, is a non-GAAP financial
measure. See (1) above. Reconciliations of
free cash flow to operating income, the
most directly comparable GAAP measure, are
included in a table accompanying this
release. Changes in working capital are
excluded.
| | |
(4)
|
Certain amounts as previously reported have
been reclassified to conform with the
current period presentation. The prior
period has been adjusted for comparative
purposes, and the reclassifications have no
impact on earnings.
|
HUG#1578037
|