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8-K - 8-K - LEE ENTERPRISES, Incfy14q2earningsrelease8-k.htm


Exhibit 99.1 - Earnings Release – Second fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2014.
201 N. Harrison St.
Davenport, IA 52801
www.lee.net

NEWS RELEASE    
 
Lee Enterprises reports earnings for second fiscal quarter
 
DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 8, 2014) — Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), a major provider of local news, information and advertising in 50 markets, today reported preliminary(1) earnings of 3 cents per diluted common share for its second fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2014, compared with a loss of 12 cents a year ago. Excluding unusual matters, adjusted earnings per diluted common share(2) totaled 5 cents, compared with a loss of 5 cents a year ago.

Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive officer, said: “We continued 2014 with another good quarter. The market for digital advertising continues to expand, with digital advertising revenue growing at a double digit clip. Our business transformation initiatives continue to create efficiencies, driving cash costs(2) down almost 6% in the quarter and creating an increase in operating cash flow(2) over the prior year. We are now in a position to improve our full year guidance, once again, as we expect our cash costs to be down 3.0-3.5% in 2014."

She added: "With the refinancing announcement a few weeks ago, pushing our maturities out to 2022, we can continue to focus on driving operating results through our many revenue and business transformation initiatives. One of our key initiatives is our full-access subscription model, with our first two markets having launched in April. We are optimistic about the results and will continue the roll out of full-access subscriptions to more than half of our markets by the end of the year."

SECOND QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS(3) 

Operating revenue for the 13 weeks ended March 30, 2014 totaled $154.1 million, a decrease of 4.1% compared with a year ago. Combined print and digital advertising and marketing services revenue decreased 4.3% to $102.7 million, an improvement from recent trends, with retail advertising down 2.4%, classified down 10.7% and national up 9.9%. Retail preprint advertising decreased 1.3%. Combined print and digital classified employment revenue decreased 6.9%, while automotive decreased 17.0%, real estate decreased 6.8% and other classified decreased 10.5%. Digital advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis increased 10.2% to $17.4 million and now totals 16.9% of total advertising and marketing services revenue. Print advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis decreased 6.8%. Subscription revenue decreased 4.3%.

Total digital revenue, including advertising, marketing services, subscriptions and digital businesses, totaled $20.5 million in the quarter, up 13.1% compared with the quarter a year ago. Mobile advertising revenue increased 9.8%, to $1.5 million.

Digital audiences continued to grow. Mobile, tablet, desktop and app page views increased 16.2% to 235.9 million, and monthly unique visitors increased 30.8% to 30.3 million for the month of March 2014. Increases from branded editions resulted in a 9.9% increase in Sunday circulation during the quarter. Daily circulation decreased 5.0%


1



Cash costs decreased 5.7% for the 13 weeks ended March 30, 2014. Compensation decreased 8.0%, with the average number of full-time equivalent employees down 6.0%. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 12.9%, primarily a result of a reduction in newsprint volume of 13.5%. Other operating expenses decreased 1.0%.

For the full year, 2014 cash costs are now expected to decrease 3.0-3.5%, excluding the impact of a subscription-related expense reclassification as a result of moving to fee-for-service delivery contracts at several of our newspapers. This reclassification will increase both revenue and operating expenses, with no impact on operating cash flow or operating income. A table later in this release details the impact of the reclassification on revenue and cash costs.

Operating cash flow increased 2.4% from a year ago to $32.7 million. Operating cash flow margin(2) was 21.2%, compared to 19.9% a year ago. Including equity in earnings of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, as well as unusual matters in both years, operating income increased 27.1% to $23.7 million in the current year quarter, compared with $18.7 million a year ago. Operating income margin increased to 15.4% up from 11.6% a year ago.

Non-operating expenses, primarily interest expense and debt financing costs, decreased 10.9%, due to a 10.4% reduction in interest expense. Lower debt balances and the refinancing of the Pulitzer Notes in May 2013 contributed to the interest expense reduction. Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated for the quarter totaled $1.5 million, compared with a loss of $6.0 million a year ago.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND EPS FOR THE QUARTER

The following table summarizes the impact from unusual matters on income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings per diluted common share. Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.
 
 
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
March 30
2014
 
 
March 31
2013
 
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)
Amount

 
Per Share

 
Amount

 
Per Share

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as reported
1,486

 
0.03

 
(5,995
)
 
(0.12
)
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt financing and reorganization costs
99

 
 
 
42

 
 
Amortization of debt present value adjustment
1,196

 
 
 
1,358

 
 
Other, net
414

 
 
 
560

 
 
 
1,709

 
 
 
1,960

 
 
Income tax effect of adjustments, net
(567
)
 
 
 
(689
)
 
 
 
1,142

 
0.02

 
1,271

 
0.02

Unusual matters related to discontinued operations

 

 
2,181

 
0.04

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as adjusted
2,628

 
0.05

 
(2,543
)
 
(0.05
)
YEAR-TO-DATE OPERATING RESULTS(3) 

Operating revenue for the 26 weeks ended March 30, 2014, totaled $331.5 million, a decrease of 4.0% compared with the 26 weeks ended March 31, 2013. Combined print and digital advertising and marketing services revenue decreased 4.7% to $225.1 million, with retail advertising down 3.0%, classified down 10.0% and national increased 2.0%. Combined print and digital classified employment revenue decreased 6.6%, while automotive decreased 14.8%, real estate decreased 5.9% and other classified decreased 10.3%. Digital advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis increased 10.0% to $36.0 million. Print advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis decreased 7.1%. Subscription revenue decreased 2.6%.


2



Total digital revenue, including advertising, marketing services, subscriptions and digital businesses, totaled $42.1 million in the quarter, up 12.9% compared with a year ago. Mobile advertising revenue increased 22.9%, to $3.3 million.

Increases from branded editions resulted in a 9.4% increase in Sunday circulation during the 26 weeks ended March 30, 2014, as audited by the Alliance for Audited Media. Audited daily circulation decreased 3.1% over the same six month period.

Cash costs for the 26 weeks ended March 30, 2014 decreased 4.7%% compared to the same period a year ago. Compensation decreased 6.9%, with the average number of full-time equivalent employees down 5.9%. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 13.1%, a result of a reduction in newsprint volume of 11.7%. Other operating expenses increased 0.4%.

Operating cash flow decreased 1.7% from a year ago to $82.0 million. Operating cash flow margin increased to 24.7% from 24.2% a year ago. Including equity in earnings of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, as well as unusual matters in both years, operating income increased 9.9% to $63.9 million in the 26 weeks ended March 30, 2014, compared with $58.2 million a year ago.

Non-operating expenses increased 4.5%, as a $6.9 million gain on sale of an investment in the prior year was partially offset by a 10.8% decrease in interest expense in the current year due to lower debt balances and the refinancing of the Pulitzer Notes in May 2013. Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated totaled $13.4 million, compared to $8.6 million a year ago.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND EPS FOR THE YEAR TO DATE

The following table summarizes the impact from unusual matters on income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings (loss) per diluted common share. Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.
 
 
 
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
 
March 30
2014
 
 
March 31
2013
 
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)
Amount

 
Per Share

 
Amount

 
Per Share

 
 
 
 
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as reported
13,378

 
0.25

 
8,575

 
0.17

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of investment, net

 
 
 
(6,909
)
 
 
Debt financing and reorganization costs
203

 
 
 
89

 
 
Amortization of debt present value adjustment
2,394

 
 
 
2,716

 
 
Other, net
577

 
 
 
1,626

 
 
 
3,174

 
 
 
(2,478
)
 
 
Income tax effect of adjustments, net
(1,079
)
 
 
 
865

 
 
 
2,095

 
0.04

 
(1,613
)
 
(0.03
)
Unusual matters related to discontinued operations

 

 
1,014

 
0.02

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as adjusted
15,473

 
0.29

 
7,976

 
0.15



3



Certain results, excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, are as follows:
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subscription revenue, as reported
42,098

43,970

(4.3
)
 
87,648

90,026

(2.6
)
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification
(400
)

NM

 
(400
)

NM

Subscription revenue, as adjusted
41,698

43,970

(5.2
)
 
87,248

90,026

(3.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating revenue, as reported
154,093

160,603

(4.1
)
 
331,478

345,258

(4.0
)
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification
(400
)

NM

 
(400
)

NM

Total operating revenue, as adjusted
153,693

160,603

(4.3
)
 
331,078

345,258

(4.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cash costs, as reported
121,416

128,692

(5.7
)
 
249,483

261,836

(4.7
)
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification
(400
)

NM

 
(400
)

NM

Total cash costs, as adjusted
121,016

128,692

(6.0
)
 
249,083

261,836

(4.9
)

DEBT AND FREE CASH FLOW(2) 

Debt was reduced $20.0 million in the quarter and $80.0 million in the last twelve months. The principal amount of debt totaled $813.0 million at March 30, 2014.
As previously announced, on March 31, 2014, subsequent to the end of the quarter, we completed a comprehensive refinancing of our long-term debt, which includes the following:
 
$400 million aggregate principal amount of 9.5% senior secured notes due 2022;

$250 million first lien term loan due 2019 and $40 million revolving facility (which was undrawn at closing); and

$150 million second lien term loan due 2022.
The new facilities enabled the Company to repay in full $768 million outstanding under, and terminate, the previous 1st lien agreement and 2nd lien agreement. We also used the proceeds of the refinancing to pay fees and expenses totaling approximately $32 million related to the refinancing. The Company's Pulitzer Notes debt, which totaled $45 million at March 30, 2014, was not refinanced.
On a pro forma basis for the refinancing, the principal amount of debt at March 30, 2014 totaled $845 million. Since the refinancing, $15.25 million of debt has been repaid, and the remaining amount stands at $829.75 million.

Free cash flow increased to $12.7 million for the quarter, compared with $10.4 million a year ago, and totaled $85.0 million in the last twelve months. Liquidity at the end of the quarter totaled $44.8 million, compared to required debt principal payments of $27.4 million in the next twelve months, as adjusted for the refinancing.



4



CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

As previously announced, we will hold an earnings conference call and audio webcast later today at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time. The live webcast will be accessible at lee.net and will be available for replay two hours later. The call also may be monitored on a listen-only conference line by dialing (toll free) 877-407-3980 and entering a conference passcode of 13581947 at least five minutes before the scheduled start.

ABOUT LEE
  
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information, and a major platform for advertising, in its markets, with 46 daily newspapers and a joint interest in four others, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300 specialty publications in 22 states. Lee's newspapers have circulation of 1.2 million daily and 1.5 million Sunday, reaching nearly four million readers in print alone. Lee's websites and mobile and tablet products attracted 30.3 million unique visitors in March 2014. 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 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, to refinance our debt as it comes due, or that the warrants issued in our refinancing will not be exercised. Other risks and uncertainties include the impact and duration of continuing adverse conditions in certain aspects of the economy affecting our business, changes in advertising demand, potential changes in newsprint and other commodity prices, energy costs, interest rates, 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”, “estimate”, “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 Current Report on Form 8-K. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements.


Contact: dan.hayes@lee.net, (563) 383-2100


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per
Share Data)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
64,821

66,387

(2.4
)
 
147,111

151,719

(3.0
)
Classified:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment
8,060

8,657

(6.9
)
 
15,269

16,341

(6.6
)
Automotive
6,889

8,304

(17.0
)
 
15,017

17,622

(14.8
)
Real estate
4,125

4,425

(6.8
)
 
8,544

9,077

(5.9
)
All other
10,303

11,512

(10.5
)
 
20,756

23,142

(10.3
)
Total classified
29,377

32,898

(10.7
)
 
59,586

66,182

(10.0
)
National
6,094

5,544

9.9

 
13,611

13,339

2.0

Niche publications and other
2,427

2,553

(5.0
)
 
4,802

5,041

(4.7
)
Total advertising and marketing services revenue
102,719

107,382

(4.3
)
 
225,110

236,281

(4.7
)
Subscription
42,098

43,970

(4.3
)
 
87,648

90,026

(2.6
)
Commercial printing
2,992

3,121

(4.1
)
 
6,023

6,423

(6.2
)
Digital services and other
6,284

6,130

2.5

 
12,697

12,528

1.3

Total operating revenue
154,093

160,603

(4.1
)
 
331,478

345,258

(4.0
)
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation
59,071

64,209

(8.0
)
 
121,212

130,165

(6.9
)
Newsprint and ink
9,334

10,712

(12.9
)
 
19,895

22,886

(13.1
)
Other operating expenses
52,712

53,259

(1.0
)
 
107,870

107,470

0.4

Workforce adjustments
299

512

(41.6
)
 
506

1,315

(61.5
)
 
121,416

128,692

(5.7
)
 
249,483

261,836

(4.7
)
Operating cash flow
32,677

31,911

2.4

 
81,995

83,422

(1.7
)
Depreciation
5,135

5,294

(3.0
)
 
10,411

10,796

(3.6
)
Amortization
6,916

9,539

(27.5
)
 
13,809

19,093

(27.7
)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
(1,501
)
150

NM

 
(1,635
)
135

NM

Equity in earnings of associated companies
1,593

1,733

(8.1
)
 
4,512

4,778

(5.6
)
Operating income
23,720

18,661

27.1

 
63,922

58,176

9.9


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, continued
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per Share Data)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial income
101

5

NM

 
221

85

NM

Interest expense
(20,552
)
(22,933
)
(10.4
)
 
(41,379
)
(46,399
)
(10.8
)
Debt financing costs
(99
)
(42
)
NM

 
(203
)
(89
)
NM

Other, net
27

(61
)
NM

 
121

6,946

(98.3
)
 
(20,523
)
(23,031
)
(10.9
)
 
(41,240
)
(39,457
)
4.5

Income (loss) before income taxes
3,197

(4,370
)
NM

 
22,682

18,719

21.2

Income tax expense (benefit)
1,492

(808
)
NM

 
8,875

8,640

2.7

Income (loss) from continuing operations
1,705

(3,562
)
NM

 
13,807

10,079

37.0

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes

(2,293
)
NM

 

(1,247
)
NM

Net income (loss)
1,705

(5,855
)
NM

 
13,807

8,832

56.3

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
(219
)
(140
)
56.4

 
(429
)
(257
)
66.9

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
1,486

(5,995
)
NM

 
13,378

8,575

56.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
1,486

(3,702
)
NM

 
13,378

9,822

36.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
0.03

(0.07
)
NM

 
0.26

0.19

36.8

Discontinued operations

(0.04
)
NM

 

(0.02
)
NM

 
0.03

(0.12
)
NM

 
0.26

0.17

52.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
0.03

(0.07
)
NM

 
0.25

0.19

31.6

Discontinued operations

(0.04
)
NM

 

(0.02
)
NM

 
0.03

(0.12
)
NM

 
0.25

0.17

47.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
52,223

51,796

 
 
52,151

51,795

 
Diluted
53,798

51,796

 
 
53,541

51,866

 


5



SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
 
52 Weeks Ended

(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
102,719

107,382

 
225,110

236,281

 
449,369

Subscription
42,098

43,970

 
87,648

90,026

 
174,733

Other
9,276

9,251

 
18,720

18,951

 
36,859

Total operating revenue
154,093

160,603

 
331,478

345,258


660,961

Compensation
59,071

64,209

 
121,212

130,165

 
245,880

Newsprint and ink
9,334

10,712

 
19,895

22,886

 
40,490

Other operating expenses
52,712

53,259

 
107,870

107,470

 
213,421

Depreciation and amortization
12,051

14,833

 
24,220

29,889

 
49,880

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
(1,501
)
150

 
(1,635
)
135

 
(1,683
)
Impairment of goodwill and other assets


 


 
171,094

Workforce adjustments
299

512

 
506

1,315

 
1,870

Total operating expenses
131,966

143,675

 
272,068

291,860

 
720,952

Equity in earnings of associated companies
1,593

1,733

 
4,512

4,778

 
8,420

Operating income
23,720

18,661

 
63,922

58,176

 
(51,571
)
Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
12,051

14,833

 
24,220

29,889

 
49,880

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
(1,501
)
150

 
(1,635
)
135

 
(1,683
)
Impairment of intangible and other assets


 


 
171,094

Equity in earnings of associated companies
(1,593
)
(1,733
)
 
(4,512
)
(4,778
)
 
(8,420
)
Operating cash flow
32,677

31,911

 
81,995

83,422

 
159,300

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA (50%)
2,031

2,332

 
5,952

6,541

 
11,189

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock compensation
420

364

 
684

732

 
1,213

Adjusted EBITDA(2)
35,128

34,607

 
88,631

90,695

 
171,702

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA (50%)
(2,031
)
(2,332
)
 
(5,952
)
(6,541
)
 
(11,189
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from TNI and MNI
2,494

2,715

 
5,309

4,785

 
11,922

Capital expenditures
(2,600
)
(2,626
)
 
(4,895
)
(4,699
)
 
(9,936
)
Pension contributions
(705
)
(275
)
 
(705
)
(275
)
 
(6,446
)
Cash income tax refunds (payments)
(103
)
(93
)
 
(117
)
(333
)
 
9,342

Unlevered free cash flow (2)
32,183

31,996

 
82,271

83,632

 
165,395

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial income
101

5

 
221

85

 
436

Interest expense settled in cash
(19,356
)
(21,521
)
 
(38,984
)
(43,367
)
 
(79,629
)
Debt financing costs paid
(266
)
(100
)
 
(268
)
(100
)
 
(1,239
)
Free cash flow
12,662

10,380

 
43,240

40,250

 
84,963



6



SELECTED LEE LEGACY(2) ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
 
52 Weeks Ended

(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
72,055

74,625

 
155,263

161,976

 
310,448

Subscription
26,873

27,309

 
55,720

55,936

 
110,174

Other
8,266

7,734

 
16,386

15,673

 
31,738

Total operating revenue
107,194

109,668

 
227,369

233,585

 
452,360

Compensation
44,123

46,440

 
89,948

93,956

 
181,464

Newsprint and ink
6,733

7,364

 
14,070

15,768

 
28,497

Other operating expenses
28,633

28,453

 
57,754

57,864

 
112,658

Depreciation and amortization
8,103

6,770

 
16,311

13,732

 
29,892

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
(1,512
)
156

 
(1,652
)
150

 
(1,691
)
Impairment of goodwill and other assets


 


 
523

Workforce adjustments
122

331

 
171

613

 
1,103

Total operating expenses
86,202

89,514

 
176,602

182,083

 
352,446

Equity in earnings of associated companies
313

510

 
1,443

1,782

 
3,171

Operating income
21,305

20,664

 
52,210

53,284

 
103,085

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
8,103

6,770

 
16,311

13,732

 
29,892

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
(1,512
)
156

 
(1,652
)
150

 
(1,691
)
Impairment of intangible and other assets


 


 
523

Equity in earnings of associated companies
(313
)
(510
)
 
(1,443
)
(1,782
)
 
(3,171
)
Operating cash flow
27,583

27,080

 
65,426

65,384

 
128,638

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of MNI EBITDA (50%)
646

928

 
2,673

3,183

 
5,471

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock compensation
420

364

 
684

732

 
1,213

Adjusted EBITDA
28,649

28,372

 
68,783

69,299

 
135,322

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of MNI EBITDA (50%)
(646
)
(928
)
 
(2,673
)
(3,183
)
 
(5,471
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from MNI
1,250

900

 
2,750

2,150

 
5,850

Capital expenditures
(2,082
)
(2,116
)
 
(4,245
)
(3,442
)
 
(8,516
)
Cash income tax refunds (payments)
(103
)
(93
)
 
(117
)
(333
)
 
(149
)
Intercompany charges not settled in cash
(2,099
)
(2,146
)
 
(4,198
)
(4,292
)
 
(8,302
)
Other

(2,000
)
 

(2,000
)
 

Unlevered free cash flow
24,969

21,989

 
60,300

58,199

 
118,734

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial income
101

5

 
221

85

 
436

Interest expense settled in cash
(18,206
)
(18,797
)
 
(36,561
)
(37,837
)
 
(73,365
)
Debt financing costs paid
(266
)
(100
)
 
(268
)
(100
)
 
(308
)
Free cash flow
6,598

3,097

 
23,692

20,347

 
45,497







7



SELECTED PULITZER(2) ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
 
52 Weeks Ended

(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
March 30
2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
30,664

32,757

 
69,847

74,305

 
138,921

Subscription
15,225

16,661

 
31,928

34,090

 
64,559

Other
1,010

1,517

 
2,334

3,278

 
5,121

Total operating revenue
46,899

50,935

 
104,109

111,673

 
208,601

Compensation
14,948

17,769

 
31,264

36,209

 
64,416

Newsprint and ink
2,601

3,348

 
5,825

7,118

 
11,993

Other operating expenses
24,079

24,806

 
50,116

49,606

 
100,763

Depreciation and amortization
3,948

8,063

 
7,909

16,157

 
19,988

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
11

(6
)
 
17

(15
)
 
8

Impairment of goodwill and other assets


 


 
170,571

Workforce adjustments
177

181

 
335

702

 
767

Total operating expenses
45,764

54,161

 
95,466

109,777

 
368,506

Equity in earnings of associated companies
1,280

1,223

 
3,069

2,996

 
5,249

Operating income
2,415

(2,003
)
 
11,712

4,892

 
(154,656
)
Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,948

8,063

 
7,909

16,157

 
19,988

Loss (gain) on sale of assets, net
11

(6
)
 
17

(15
)
 
8

Impairment of intangible and other assets


 


 
170,571

Equity in earnings of associated companies
(1,280
)
(1,223
)
 
(3,069
)
(2,996
)
 
(5,249
)
Operating cash flow
5,094

4,831

 
16,569

18,038

 
30,662

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of TNI EBITDA (50%)
1,385

1,404

 
3,279

3,358

 
5,718

Adjusted EBITDA
6,479

6,235

 
19,848

21,396

 
36,380

Adjusted to exclude:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership share of TNI EBITDA (50%)
(1,385
)
(1,404
)
 
(3,279
)
(3,358
)
 
(5,718
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from TNI
1,244

1,815

 
2,559

2,635

 
6,072

Capital expenditures
(518
)
(510
)
 
(650
)
(1,257
)
 
(1,420
)
Pension contributions
(705
)
(275
)
 
(705
)
(275
)
 
(6,446
)
Cash income tax refunds (payments)


 


 
9,491

Intercompany charges not settled in cash
2,099

2,146

 
4,198

4,292

 
8,302

Other

2,000

 

2,000

 

Unlevered free cash flow
7,214

10,007

 
21,971

25,433

 
46,661

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense settled in cash
(1,150
)
(2,724
)
 
(2,423
)
(5,530
)
 
(6,264
)
Debt financing costs paid


 


 
(931
)
Free cash flow
6,064

7,283

 
19,548

19,903

 
39,466



8



REVENUE BY REGION
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midwest
94,702

99,875

(5.2
)
 
206,647

216,610

(4.6
)
Mountain West
30,419

31,561

(3.6
)
 
65,103

67,669

(3.8
)
West
10,144

10,470

(3.1
)
 
21,806

22,777

(4.3
)
East/Other
18,828

18,697

0.7

 
37,922

38,202

(0.7
)
Total
154,093

160,603

(4.1
)
 
331,478

345,258

(4.0
)

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

 
 
 
Cash
14,878

22,446

Debt (Principal Amount)
813,000

893,000


SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
March 30
2014

March 31
2013

Percent Change

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures (Thousands of Dollars)
2,600

2,626

(1.0
)
 
4,895

4,699

4.2

Newsprint volume (Tonnes)
13,981

16,161

(13.5
)
 
29,911

33,873

(11.7
)
Average full-time equivalent employees
4,486

4,770

(6.0
)
 
4,551

4,838

(5.9
)
Shares outstanding at end of period (Thousands of Shares)
 
 
 
 
53,596

52,296

2.5



9



NOTES
(1)
This earnings release is a preliminary report of results for the periods included.  The reader should refer to the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for definitive information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)
The following are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures for which reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures are included in tables accompanying this release:
 
ž
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss), plus depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, stock compensation and 50% of EBITDA from associated companies, minus equity in earnings of associated companies and curtailment gains.
 
ž
Adjusted Income (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share are defined as income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings (loss) per common share adjusted to exclude both unusual matters and those of a substantially non-recurring nature.
 
ž
Cash Costs are defined as compensation, newsprint and ink, other operating expenses and certain unusual matters, such as workforce adjustment costs. Depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, other non-cash operating expenses and other unusual matters are excluded.
 
ž
Operating Cash Flow is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, minus equity in earnings of associated companies and curtailment gains. Operating Cash Flow margin is defined as operating cash flow divided by operating revenue. The terms operating cash flow and EBITDA are used interchangeably.
 
ž
Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as operating income (loss), plus depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, stock compensation, distributions from associated companies and cash income tax refunds, minus equity in earnings of associated companies, curtailment gains, cash income taxes, pension contributions and capital expenditures. Changes in working capital, asset sales, minority interest and discontinued operations are excluded. Free Cash Flow also includes financial income, interest expense and debt financing and reorganization costs.
 
We also present selected information for Lee Legacy and Pulitzer Inc. ("Pulitzer"). Lee Legacy constitutes the business of the Company excluding Pulitzer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
Certain amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The prior periods have been adjusted for comparative purposes, and the reclassifications have no impact on earnings.
 
Results of North County Times operations and The Garden Island operations have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

10