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8-K - 8-K - DallasNews Corpform8-k2015q1earningsrelea.htm
Exhibit 99.1


A. H. Belo Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015
Financial Results from Continuing Operations

DALLAS - A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) today reported results for the first quarter of 2015, highlighted by an increase in total operating revenue of 1.6 percent over the prior year quarter, driven by marketing services and commercial printing and distribution. The Company's January acquisition of three marketing services businesses, Distribion, Inc., CDFX, LLC (d/b/a Marketing FX) and Vertical Nerve, Inc. (collectively, "DMV"), added incremental revenue of $1.9 million.
Jim Moroney, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Although core advertising revenues remain challenged, we are continuing to invest in new and diversified sources of revenue and those investments are producing returns. The improvement of 1.6 percent this quarter is primarily due to our expansion of marketing services operations, resulting from our January acquisition of DMV, the continued growth of our content marketing agency Speakeasy, the expansion of our event marketing company Crowdsource and growth in our commercial printing and distribution operations.
"Although the Company anticipates continued challenges for print advertising revenues, we continue our efforts to look for opportunities to increase the channels of marketing we can offer to our customers while assiduously working on expense management."
Net income from continuing operations was $0.02 per share in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of $0.24 per share over the first quarter of 2014. First quarter 2015 earnings include an income tax benefit of $5.7 million primarily due to a reduction in the valuation allowance for the offset of deferred tax assets by $4.0 million of DMV acquisition-date tax liabilities.
Adjusted EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from continuing operations with acquisition costs and net investment-related gains

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202


A. H. Belo Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
from Continuing Operations
April 27, 2015
Page 2


and losses added back, was $(1.4) million in the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $1.8 million from the first quarter of 2014.
As of March 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $81.4 million, and the Company had no debt.

First Quarter Results from Continuing Operations

Total revenue was $65.4 million in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 1.6 percent compared to the prior year period.
Revenue from advertising and marketing services, including print and digital revenues, decreased 2.4 percent. Marketing services revenue more than doubled from the prior year period as a result of growth of Speakeasy and the acquisition of DMV. The acquired marketing services businesses contributed $1.9 million of incremental revenue. Increases in marketing services revenue were offset by declines in display, classified, preprint and digital advertising revenues which decreased 2.7 percent, 11.7 percent, 11.8 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively. The decrease in digital advertising revenues is primarily due to declines in online classified advertising related to the resale of cars.com products and services.
Circulation revenue remained flat to the prior year period at $21.0 million as increased rates offset lower volumes.
Printing and distribution revenue increased 33.8 percent to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2015 due primarily to the impact of commercial printing agreements with various regional and community papers.
Total consolidated operating expense in the first quarter was $70.5 million, a 3.7 percent increase compared to the prior year period, due to higher materials, production and distribution

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202


A. H. Belo Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
from Continuing Operations
April 27, 2015
Page 3


expenses related to additional printing and distribution business and operating expenses related to the acquired businesses.
The Company's newsprint expense in the first quarter was $4.5 million, a decrease of 7.6 percent compared to the prior year period. Newsprint consumption dropped 4.5 percent to approximately 7,750 metric tons. Compared to the prior year period, newsprint cost per metric ton and the average purchase price per metric ton for newsprint decreased 3.2 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.
Corporate and non-operating unit expenses in the first quarter were $4.9 million, an increase of 4.6 percent compared to the prior year period primarily due to legal and professional fees associated with recent transactions.
As of March 31, 2015, A. H. Belo had approximately 1,200 full-time equivalent employees, a decrease of 19.1 percent compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the sale of The Providence Journal during the third quarter of 2014.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reconciliations of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are included as exhibits to this release.


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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202


A. H. Belo Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
from Continuing Operations
April 27, 2015
Page 4


Financial Results Conference Call

A. H. Belo will conduct a conference call on Tuesday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m. CDT to discuss financial results. The conference call will be available via webcast by accessing the Company's website (www.ahbelo.com/invest) or by dialing 1-800-230-1074 (USA) or 612-288-0337 (International). A replay line will be available at 1-800-475-6701 (USA) or 320-365-3844 (International) from 3:00 p.m. CDT on April 28 until 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 5, 2015. The access code for the replay is 357654.

About A. H. Belo Corporation

A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) is a leading local news information publishing company with commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as expertise in emerging media and marketing services. With a continued focus on extending the Company's media platform, A. H. Belo is able to deliver news and information in innovative ways to a broad spectrum of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. For additional information, visit ahbelo.com or email invest@ahbelo.com.



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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202


A. H. Belo Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
from Continuing Operations
April 27, 2015
Page 5


Statements in this communication concerning A. H. Belo Corporation’s (the “Company’s”) business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenue, expense, dividends, capital expenditures, investments, dispositions, impairments, business initiatives, acquisitions, pension plan contributions and obligations, real estate sales, working capital, future financings and other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand and newsprint prices; newspaper circulation trends and other circulation matters, including changes in readership methods, patterns and demography; audits and related actions by the Alliance for Audited Media; challenges implementing increased subscription pricing and new pricing structures; challenges in achieving expense reduction goals in a timely manner and the resulting potential effects on operations; challenges attracting and retaining key personnel; challenges in consummating asset acquisitions or dispositions upon acceptable terms; technological changes; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by existing and new competitors and suppliers; consumer acceptance of new products and business initiatives; labor relations; regulatory, tax and legal changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions, dispositions, co-owned ventures and investments; pension plan matters; general economic conditions and changes in interest rates; significant armed conflict; acts of terrorism; and other factors beyond our control, as well as other risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the Company’s other public disclosures and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202



A. H. Belo Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)
2015
 
2014
Net Operating Revenue
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
$
36,831

 
$
37,726

Circulation
21,038

 
21,012

Printing, distribution and other
7,567

 
5,654

Total net operating revenue
65,436

 
64,392

Operating Costs and Expense
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
27,503

 
28,164

Other production, distribution and operating costs
31,460

 
28,444

Newsprint, ink and other supplies
8,166

 
7,988

Depreciation
3,040

 
3,410

Amortization
373

 
30

Total operating costs and expense
70,542

 
68,036

Operating loss
(5,106
)
 
(3,644
)
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
 
Losses on equity method investments, net
(414
)
 
(408
)
Other income, net
109

 
117

Total other income (expense), net
(305
)
 
(291
)
Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
(5,411
)
 
(3,935
)
Income tax (benefit) provision
(5,730
)
 
891

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
319

 
(4,826
)
Income from discontinued operations

 
977

Loss related to the divestiture of discontinued operations, net
(12
)
 
(178
)
Tax expense from discontinued operations

 
16

Gain (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
(12
)
 
783

Net Income (Loss)
307

 
(4,043
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(56
)
 
(6
)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
363

 
$
(4,037
)
 
 
 
 
Per Share Basis
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.02

 
$
(0.22
)
Discontinued operations

 
0.03

Net income (loss) attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
0.02

 
$
(0.19
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
Basic
21,770,698

 
21,918,000

Diluted
21,845,197

 
21,918,000





A. H. Belo Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2015
 
2014
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
81,442

 
$
158,171

Accounts receivable, net
30,911

 
34,396

Other current assets
15,393

 
13,323

Assets of discontinued operations
253

 
565

Total current assets
127,999

 
206,455

Property, plant and equipment, net
59,816

 
61,589

Intangible assets, net
46,358

 
25,238

Other assets
5,856

 
5,465

Total assets
$
240,029

 
$
298,747

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
11,723

 
$
12,904

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
14,219

 
72,065

Advance subscription payments
16,451

 
15,894

Liabilities of discontinued operations
150

 
543

Total current liabilities
42,543

 
101,406

Long-term pension liabilities
64,391

 
65,859

Other liabilities
5,032

 
5,463

Noncontrolling interests - redeemable
1,263

 

Total shareholders’ equity
126,800

 
126,019

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
240,029

 
$
298,747





A. H. Belo Corporation
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2015
 
2014
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
363

 
$
(4,037
)
Less: Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net
(12
)
 
783

Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(56
)
 
(6
)
Income (Loss) from continuing operations
319

 
(4,826
)
Depreciation and amortization
3,413

 
3,440

Income tax provision (benefit)
(5,730
)
 
891

EBITDA from Continuing Operations
(1,998
)
 
(495
)
Addback:
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
725

 

Net investment-related (gains) losses
(81
)
 
934

Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations
$
(1,354
)
 
$
439

The Company evaluates earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) which is presented for continuing operations by adjusting for discontinued operations and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to EBITDA recorded expenses to acquire new businesses, net investment-related gains and losses and non-cash impairment expense, as applicable.
Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures in internal analyses as supplemental measures of the Company’s financial performance, and for performance comparisons against its peer group of companies. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income from continuing operations, cash flows provided by operating activities or other comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.