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what the predecessor owner would have recognized for the year ended December 31, 2007. Excluding these purchase accounting adjustments, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 would have been $19.1 million, an increase of $0.7 million over $18.4 million for the same period in 2006. For the period of February 28, 2007 to December 31, 2007 revenue would have been $16.0 million, up $0.7 million or 4.4% over the same period in 2006.
Our Huntington, West Virginia newspapers, our Yankton, South Dakota newspapers and our Winter Haven, Florida newspapers (included in discontinued operations) had revenue of $8.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2007.
Operating Costs. Operating costs for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $5.6 million, or 1.6%, to $358.6 million from $353.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in operating costs was primarily due to operating costs of the acquisitions completed in 2007 of $20.5 million. These acquisition related expense increases were partially offset by decreased newsprint, and compensation expenses of $9.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $17.7 million, or 11.2%, to $175.4 million from $157.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to selling, general and administrative expenses of the 2007 acquisitions of $10.2 million as well as an increase in non-cash compensation expense related to our RSGs of $3.0 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2007 we incurred an increase in audit, Sarbanes-Oxley and legal fees of $2.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we also incurred an increase in pension and postretirement expenses of $0.3 million.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $9.8 million to $64.6 million from $54.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase was primarily due to depreciation and amortization of the 2007 acquisitions of $6.5 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2007, we incurred capital expenditures of $8.6 million.
Transaction Costs Related to Merger and Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we incurred approximately $4.4 million in transaction costs primarily related to bonuses at Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC paid by the prior owner.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 we incurred a charge of $1.6 million and $0.9 million related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment which were classified as held for sale at, or disposed of during the year ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
Goodwill and Mastheads Impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we recorded a $226.0 million impairment on our goodwill and mastheads due to our stock price as of the end of the fourth quarter and the related impact on the fair value of our reporting units.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 decreased by $7.8 million, or 7.5%, to $96.1 million from $103.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in our total outstanding debt due to the application of equity proceeds.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we incurred a $2.2 million loss due to the write off of deferred financing costs associated with the extinguishment of our Bridge Facility.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we incurred a $2.1 million loss due to the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the extinguishment of our Term Loan B and second lien credit facility. Additionally, we incurred a $1.4 million loss related to the extinguishment of our debt at Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC.
Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Derivative Instrument. During the year ended December 31, 2007 we recorded a loss of $2.4 million due to ineffectiveness related to several of our interest rate swaps which were entered into, in an effort to eliminate a significant portion of our exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR.
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During the year ended December 31, 2006, we recorded a net unrealized gain of $1.2 million related to our $300 million notional amount interest rate swap, which we entered into in June 2005 in an effort to eliminate a significant portion of our exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR.
Income Tax Benefit. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $36.6 million compared to $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The change of $22.6 million was primarily due to the recognition of an income tax valuation allowance during the year ended December 31, 2007, the impairment of nondeductible goodwill and an increase in book pretax loss during the year ended December 31, 2007.
Net Loss from Continuing Operations. Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $240.7 million. Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $28.9 million. Our net loss from continuing operations increased due to the factors noted above.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2005
Revenue. Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $258.9 million, or 67.2%, to $643.9 million from $385.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in total revenue was comprised of a $181.9 million, or 61.7%, increase in advertising revenue, a $63.3 million, or 95.1%, increase in circulation revenue and a $13.6 million, or 57.3%, increase in commercial printing and other revenue. The increase in advertising revenue was primarily due to advertising revenue from the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $104.0 million and $74.0 million, respectively. The increase was also due to advertising revenue from the newspaper businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first and second quarters of 2006 of $7.7 million. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenue from our same property publications of $3.3 million, as well as a decrease in advertising revenue due to one less week in the current period at certain publications acquired from CP Media, which utilized a non-calendar fiscal year, of $1.6 million. The increase in circulation revenue was primarily due to circulation revenue from the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $44.2 million and $19.6 million, respectively. The increase was also due to circulation revenue from the newspaper businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first and second quarters of 2006 of $1.2 million. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease in circulation revenue from our same property publications of $1.5 million, as well as a decrease of $0.2 million from the shortened period in 2006. The increase in commercial printing and other revenue was primarily due to revenue from the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $10.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The increase was also due to revenue from the newspaper businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first and second quarters of 2006 of $4.2 million. These amounts were partially offset by decreases in revenue from our same property publications of $1.4 million, as well as a decrease of $0.1 million due to the shortened period in 2006.
Operating Costs. Operating costs for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $148.6 million, or 72.7%, to $353.0 million from $204.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in operating costs is primarily due to operating costs associated with the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $93.1 million and $49.6 million, respectively. The increase was also due to operating expenses of the newspaper businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first and second quarters of 2006 of $7.2 million, as well as increased newsprint, delivery, postage and external printing expenses of $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Additionally, new internet initiative expenses of $0.9 million were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $58.7 million, or 59.3%, to $157.8 million from $99.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased selling, general and administrative expenses associated with the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $37.4 million and $15.3 million, respectively. The increase was also due to selling, general and administrative expenses of the newspaper businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first and second quarters of 2006 of $3.9 million, as well as an increase in non-cash compensation expense related to the issuance of our RSGs of $1.3 million. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease in payroll, insurance, rent and franchise tax expenses of $1.0 million, $0.4 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
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Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $26.7 million to $54.8 million from $28.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Depreciation and amortization increased due to depreciation and amortization of the Copley Acquisition and the Gannett Acquisition of $14.3 million and $10.4 million, respectively.
Transaction Costs Related to Merger and Acquisitions. We incurred approximately $4.4 million in transaction costs primarily related to bonuses at Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC paid by the prior owner during the year ended December 31, 2006. We incurred approximately $10.6 million in transaction costs related to the Merger during the year ended December 31, 2005.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we incurred a charge of $0.9 million related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets which are classified as held for sale at December 31, 2006, or disposed of during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Loss on the Sale of Assets. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we incurred a loss in the amount of $0.7 million on the disposal of real estate, equipment and certain intangibles. We expect non-cash gains and losses to continue as we sell fixed assets in an effort to increase operating efficiency consistent with our clustering strategy.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $54.5 million to $103.9 million from $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was primarily due to increases in our outstanding debt balances.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt and Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we incurred a $2.1 million loss due to the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the extinguishment of our Term Loan B and second lien credit facility. Additionally, we incurred a $1.4 million loss related to the extinguishment of our debt at Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we incurred a $5.5 million loss associated with paying off our third-party senior subordinated notes and a portion of our senior discount notes and senior preferred stock, as well as the termination of a credit facility. These costs included premiums due on early extinguishment and write-offs of deferred financing fees associated with these instruments. Additionally, a $2.0 million loss related to write-offs of deferred financing costs is associated with the issuance of a new term loan facility in January 2005 by Enterprise.
Unrealized Gain on Derivative Instrument. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we recorded a net unrealized gain of $1.2 million related to our $300 million notional amount interest rate swap, which we entered into in June 2005 in an effort to eliminate a significant portion of our exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR. For the period from January 1, 2006 through February 19, 2006, the hedge was deemed ineffective and, as a result, the increase in the fair value of $2.6 million was recognized in operations. On February 20, 2006, the swap was redesignated as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. During the year, a portion of the swap was deemed ineffective and a loss of $1.5 million was recognized in operations. The effective portion of the change in fair value from February 20, 2006 through December 31, 2006, was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $14.0 million compared to income tax expense of $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The change of $22.3 million was primarily due to the redemption of the preferred stock in connection with the Merger in 2005. The redemption of the preferred stock eliminated the interest expense related to that liability, which resulted in the removal of an existing permanent difference between book and taxable income in accordance with SFAS No. 109. This was offset by the increase in the valuation allowance necessary due to an additional tax net operating loss and change in net deferred tax assets. In addition, we experienced an increase in deferred income tax expense as of December 31, 2005 related to the non-deductible merger costs incurred in 2005.
Net Loss. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $28.9 million. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $14.1 million. Our net loss increased due to the factors noted above.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary cash requirements are for working capital, borrowing obligations and capital expenditures. We have no material outstanding commitments for capital expenditures. We also intend to continue to pursue our strategy of opportunistically acquiring locally focused media businesses in contiguous and new markets. Our principal sources of funds have historically been, and will be, cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and term loan borrowings for significant acquisitions.
On February 27, 2007, we entered into the 2007 Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions with Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent. The 2007 Credit Facility provides for a $670.0 million term loan facility which matures in August, 2014, a delayed draw term loan of up to $250.0 million available until August 2007 which matures in August 2014 and a revolving credit agreement with a $40.0 million aggregate loan commitment available, including a $15.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline facility, which matures in February 2014.
On April 11, 2007, we entered into the Bridge Agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions with Wachovia Investment Holdings LLC as administrative agent. The Bridge Agreement provided a $300.0 million term loan facility which matures on April 11, 2015.
On May 7, 2007, we amended our 2007 Credit Facility and increased our borrowing by $275.0 million. This incremental borrowing has an interest rate of LIBOR + 2.25% or the Alternate Base Rate + 1.25%, depending upon the designation of the borrowing.
The rate on the previously existing borrowings of $920.0 million was changed to bear interest at LIBOR + 2.00% or the Alternate Base Rate + 1.00% depending upon the designation of the borrowing. The terms of the previously outstanding borrowings were also modified to include a 1% premium if the debt is called within one year and an interest feature that grants the previously outstanding debt an interest rate of .25% below the highest rate of any borrowing under the 2007 Credit Facility.
As of March 7, 2008, the available amount of debt under our current agreements was $1.3 million.
As a holding company, we have no operations of our own and accordingly have no independent means of generating revenue, and our internal sources of funds to meet our cash needs, including payment of expenses, are dividends and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries. Our 2007 Credit Facility imposes upon us certain financial and operating covenants, including, among others, requirements that we satisfy certain financial tests, including a total leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge ratio, and restrictions on our ability to incur debt, pay dividends or take certain other corporate actions. We are in compliance with these covenants. Management believes that we have adequate capital resources and liquidity to meet our working capital needs, borrowing obligations and all required capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months.
On October 25, 2006, we completed our IPO of 13,800,000 shares of common stock at a price of $18.0 per share, raising approximately $231.0 million, which is net of the underwriters’ discount of $17.4 million. We used a portion of the net proceeds to repay in full and terminate our $152.0 million second lien term loan credit facility. In addition, we used a portion of the net proceeds to pay down $12.0 million of the $570.0 million first lien term loan credit facility, reducing the balance and limit to $558.0 million, and to repay in full the outstanding balance of $21.3 million under our $40.0 million revolving credit facility. In connection with the termination of our $152.0 million second lien term loan credit facility and the $12.0 million reduction in borrowing capacity on the first lien term loan credit facility, we wrote off $1.4 million of deferred financing costs in the fourth quarter of 2006.
On November 3, 2006, the underwriters of our initial public offering exercised their option to purchase an additional 2,070,000 shares of common stock as allowed in the underwriting agreement. The net proceeds before offering expenses of these additional shares were $34.7 million, after deducting the underwriting discount. The total proceeds from the initial public offering of 13,800,000 shares and this additional allotment of 2,070,000 shares before offering expenses was $265.7 million, after deducting the underwriting discount.
On July 23, 2007, we completed our follow-on public offering of 18,700,000 shares of our common stock, including 1,700,000 shares sold pursuant to the exercise by the underwriters of their option, as allowed in the underwriting agreement at a public offering price of $18.45 per share. The total net proceeds from our
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follow-on public offering were approximately $331.6 million. We used a portion of the proceeds to repay and terminate our $300.0 million Bridge Facility.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our historical cash flows.
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
| | (In Thousands) |
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | 63,723 | | | $ | 25,217 | | | $ | (11,814 | ) | | $ | (572 | ) |
Cash used in investing activities | | | (1,051,158 | ) | | | (428,838 | ) | | | (40,581 | ) | | | (1,095 | ) |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 909,229 | | | | 490,860 | | | | 54,109 | | | | (260 | ) |
The discussion of our cash flows that follows is based on our historical cash flows for the Successor Period of the year ended December 31, 2007, the Successor Period of the year ended December 31, 2006, the Successor Period of June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005, and the Predecessor Period of January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $63.7 million. The net cash provided by operating activities resulted from a goodwill and mastheads impairment charge of $226.0 million, depreciation and amortization of $57.8 million, a loss of $2.2 million on the early extinguishment of debt, non-cash compensation of $4.7 million, an impairment of long-lived assets of $1.6 million, a net decrease of $30.2 million in working capital, a loss of $1.5 million on the sale of assets, an unrecognized loss of $0.8 million from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, amortization of deferred financing costs of $2.1 million, an unrealized loss of $2.4 million on derivative instruments, partially offset by a loss from continuing operations of $233.0 million and a decrease of $32.7 million related to deferred income taxes. The decrease in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in accrued expenses, including interest and accounts payable, a decrease in accounts receivable and inventory that were partially offset by an increase in other assets from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $25.2 million. The net cash provided by operating activities resulted from depreciation and amortization of $24.1 million, a loss of $2.1 million on the early extinguishment of debt, non-cash compensation of $1.8 million, an impairment of long-lived assets of $0.9 million, a net decrease of $0.5 million in working capital, a loss of $0.7 million on the sale of assets, an unrecognized loss of $0.7 million from pension and other postretirement obligations, amortization of deferred financing costs of $0.5 million, partially offset by an increase of $3.4 million related to deferred income taxes, a net loss of $1.6 million, and an unrealized gain of $1.2 million on derivative instruments. The decrease in working capital primarily resulted from an increase in accounts payable and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006.
Net cash used in operating activities for the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 was $11.8 million. The net cash used in operating activities primarily resulted from accrued interest of $21.1 million on senior debentures related to the Merger, an unrealized gain of $10.8 million on a derivative instrument and a net decrease in working capital of $4.8 million, partially offset by net income of $9.6 million, depreciation and amortization of $8.0 million and a net decrease of $6.9 million in deferred tax assets. The decrease in accrued expenses, excluding accrued interest, from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
Net cash used in operating activities for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 was $0.6 million. The net cash used in operating activities primarily resulted from a net loss of $24.8 million, a net increase of $3.5 million in deferred tax assets and a net decrease of $2.9 million in working capital, partially offset by interest expense of $13.5 million from mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, depreciation and
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amortization of $5.8 million, a loss of $5.5 million on the early extinguishment of debt, issuance of $4.8 million of senior debentures in lieu of paying interest and $1.0 million of non-cash transaction costs related to the Merger. The decrease in working capital primarily resulted from a decrease in accrued interest from December 31, 2004 to June 5, 2005.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $1.05 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we used $1.12 billion, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions and $8.6 million for capital expenditures, which uses were partially offset by proceeds of $79.7 million from the sale of publications and other assets.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $428.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we used $413.1 million, net of cash acquired, for the Acquisitions, $11.8 million, net of cash acquired, for other acquisitions and $8.4 million for capital expenditures, which uses were partially offset by proceeds of $4.5 million from the sale of publications and other assets.
Net cash used in investing activities for the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 was $40.6 million. During the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005, we used $23.9 million, net of cash acquired, in the Merger, $15.1 million, net of cash acquired, in other acquisitions, and $5.0 million for capital expenditures, which uses were partially offset by proceeds of $3.4 million from the sale of publications and other assets.
Net cash used in investing activities for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 was $1.1 million. The cash we used in investing activities during the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 primarily consisted of capital expenditures of $1.0 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $909.2 million. The net cash provided by financing activities resulted from net borrowings of $1.53 billion under the 2007 Credit Facility, the issuance of common stock of $331.6 from the secondary offering, net of underwriters’ discount and offering costs, and $11.0 million under the revolving credit facility, partially offset by the repayment of $558.0 million of borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility and $339.8 million under the 2007 Credit Facility, payment of dividends of $62.7 million, and payment of $7.5 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the 2007 Credit Facility.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $490.9 million. The net cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted from net borrowings of $549.5 million under the 2006 Credit Facility and the issuance of common stock of $265.9 million, primarily from the IPO, net of underwriters’ discount, partially offset by the repayment of $304.4 million of borrowings under the 2005 Credit Facility and payment of $9.2 million of dividends, payment of $7.2 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the 2006 Credit Facility and payment of $3.7 million of offering costs.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 was $54.1 million. The net cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted from capital contributions of $222.0 million in connection with the Merger and net borrowings under the 2005 Credit Facility of $36.4 million, partially offset by the extinguishment of $203.5 million of preferred stock and senior debentures in connection with the Merger and payment of debt issuance costs of $0.8 million in connection with the 2005 Credit Facility.
Net cash used in financing activities for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 was $0.3 million. The net cash used in financing activities resulted from the extinguishment of $214.4 million of senior subordinated notes, senior discount notes, and senior preferred stock and payment of $2.4 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the 2005 Credit Facility, partially offset by net borrowings under the 2005 Credit Facility of $216.4 million.
Changes in Financial Position
The discussion that follows highlights significant changes in our financial position and working capital from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007.
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Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable increased $42.5 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $51.1 million was acquired from current year acquisitions. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in accounts receivable of $8.6 million primarily from the sale of assets and the timing of cash receipts.
Property, Plant, and Equipment. Property, plant, and equipment increased $111.8 million during the period from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $148.4 million was acquired from acquisition consummated in the current year and $8.6 million was used for capital expenditures. These increases in property, plant, and equipment were partially offset by assets sold and held for sale of $23.2 million, depreciation of $19.9 million, purchase accounting adjustments of $0.9 million from acquisitions consummated in June 2006, and an impairment of $1.6 million on long-lived assets.
Goodwill. Goodwill increased $221.4 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $457.6 million was acquired from acquisitions consummated during the current year and $3.6 million related to the resolution of certain tax uncertainties. These increases in goodwill were partially offset by an impairment charge of $201.5 million, assets sold and held for sale of $37.8 million and $0.5 million related to purchase accounting adjustments from acquisitions in June 2006.
Intangible Assets. Intangible assets increased $417.7 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $520.3 million was acquired from acquisitions consummated during the current year, partially offset by a masthead impairment charge of $24.5 million, assets sold and held for sale of $40.2 million and amortization of $37.9 million.
Long-term Assets Held for Sale. Long-term assets held for sale increased $20.9 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $99.4 million became held for sale during the current year, partially offset by proceeds of $78.5 million from assets sold during the current year. Included in long-term assets held for sale as of December 31, 2007 are buildings and equipment at our Massachusetts, Yankton, South Dakota and Winter Haven, Florida locations.
Accrued Expenses. Accrued expenses increased $22.5 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $23.5 million was acquired from acquisitions consummated during the current year. In addition, accrued expenses increased $8.9 million primarily from an increase of $4.0 million of accrued payroll, an increase of $3.4 million of accrued vacation, an increase of $1.4 million in accrued restructuring, and an increase of $1.5 million in income taxes payable. These increases were partially offset by other, less significant, changes in accrual balances.
Accrued Interest. Accrued interest increased $7.6 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 primarily attributable to the $658.0 million increase in debt.
Deferred Revenue. Deferred revenue increased $15.3 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $16.5 million was acquired from acquisitions consummated during the current year, partially offset by a decrease of $0.9 million from current liabilities held for sale.
Dividend Payable. Dividend payable increased $13.7 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 from the declaration of dividends of $76.4 million, partially offset by dividend payments of $62.7 million. The increase in the dividend payable from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 was primarily attributable to a higher fourth quarter 2007 per share dividend as well as an increase in the number of shares outstanding due to the follow on offering in July, 2007.
Long-Term Debt. Long-term debt increased $648.0 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 from borrowings of $1.53 billion primarily under the 2007 Credit Facility and $11.0 million under the revolving credit facility, partially offset by repayments of $897.8 million under the 2006 Credit Facility and the 2007 Credit Facility.
Deferred Income Taxes. Deferred income tax liabilities decreased $9.4 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, of which $60.1 million related to intangible impairments, $17.9 million related to changes in derivative instrument values, and $33.3 million related to increased net operating losses and other
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less significant items. These decreases were partially offset by $22.7 million of deferred taxes acquired from acquisitions consummated during the current year, $14.9 million of tax amortization benefits, and a $64.3 million valuation allowance.
Additional Paid-in Capital. Additional paid-in capital increased $336.0 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, which resulted from the issuance of common stock from the secondary offering of $331.4 million, net of underwriters’ discount and offering costs, and non-cash compensation of $4.6 million.
Accumulated Deficit. Accumulated deficit increased $307.8 million from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 from declaration of dividends of $76.4 million and a net loss of $231.4 million.
Indebtedness
2007 Credit Facility
GateHouse Media Operating, Inc. (“Operating”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours, GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc. (“Holdco”), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of ours, and certain of their subsidiaries are parties to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2007 with a syndicate of financial institutions with Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent. The 2007 Credit Facility amended and restated our 2006 Credit Facility.
The 2007 Credit Facility provides for a (i) $670.0 million term loan facility that matures on August 28, 2014, (ii) a delayed draw term loan facility of up to $250.0 million that matures on August 28, 2014, and (iii) a revolving loan facility with a $40.0 million aggregate loan commitment amount available, including a $15.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline facility, that matures on February 28, 2014. The borrowers used the proceeds of the 2007 Credit Facility to finance the acquisition of SureWest, to refinance existing indebtedness and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, financing acquisitions permitted under the 2007 Credit Facility. The 2007 Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all present and future capital stock or other membership, equity, ownership or profits interest of Operating and all of its direct and indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries, (ii) 65% of the voting stock (and 100% of the nonvoting stock) of all present and future first-tier foreign subsidiaries and (iii) substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of Holdco, Operating and their present and future direct and indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries. In addition, the loans and other obligations of the borrowers under the 2007 Credit Facility are guaranteed, subject to specified limitations, by Holdco, Operating and their present and future direct and indirect domestic restricted subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2007, (i) $670.0 million was outstanding under the term loan facility, (ii) $250.0 million was outstanding under the delayed draw term loan facility and (iii) $11.0 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility (without giving effect to $5.2 million of outstanding but undrawn letters of credit on such date). Borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility bear interest, at the borrower’s option, equal to the LIBOR Rate for a LIBOR Rate Loan (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility), or the Alternate Base Rate for an Alternate Base Rate Loan (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Rate term loans and Alternate Base Rate term loans as amended by the First Amendment is 2.00% and 1.00%, respectively. The applicable margin for revolving loans is adjusted quarterly based upon Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility) (i.e., the ratio of Holdco’s Consolidated Indebtedness (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility) on the last day of the preceding quarter to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility) for the four fiscal quarters ending on the date of determination). The applicable margin ranges from 1.50% to 2.00%, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans and, 0.50% to 1.00%, in the case of Alternate Base Rate Loans. Under the revolving loan facility we also pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving loan facility ranging from 0.25% to 0.5% based on the same ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA and a quarterly fee equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Rate Loans on the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit. In addition, we are required to pay a ticking fee at the rate of 0.50% of the aggregate unfunded amount available to be borrowed under the delayed draw term facility.
No principal payments are due on the term loan facilities or the revolving credit facility until the applicable maturity date. The borrowers are required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facilities in an
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amount equal to 50.0% of Holdco’s Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) earned during the previous fiscal year, except that no prepayments are required if the Total Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 6.0 to 1.0 at the end of such fiscal year. In addition, the borrowers are required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facilities with asset disposition proceeds in excess of specified amounts to the extent necessary to cause Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio to be less than or equal to 6.25 to 1.00, and with cash insurance proceeds and condemnation or expropriation awards, in excess of specified amounts, subject, in each case, to reinvestment rights. The borrowers are required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facilities with the net proceeds of equity issuances by us in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which 50.0% of the net cash proceeds exceeds the amount (if any) required to repay any credit facilities of ours or (ii) the amount of proceeds required to reduce Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio to 6.0 to 1.0. The borrowers are also required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facilities with 100% of the proceeds of debt issuances (with specified exceptions) except that no prepayment is required if Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio is less than 6.0 to 1.0. If the term loan facilities have been paid in full, mandatory prepayments are applied to the repayment of borrowings under the swingline facility and revolving credit facilities and the cash collateralization of letters of credit.
The 2007 Credit Facility contains a financial covenant that requires Holdco to maintain a Total Leverage Ratio of less than or equal to 6.5 to 1.0 at any time an extension of credit is outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The 2007 Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Holdco, Operating and their restricted subsidiaries customarily found in loan agreements for similar transactions, including restrictions on their ability to incur indebtedness (which we are generally permitted to incur so long as we satisfy an incurrence test that requires us to maintain a pro forma Total Leverage ratio of less than 6.5 to 1.0), create liens on assets, engage in certain lines of business; engage in mergers or consolidations, dispose of assets, make investments or acquisitions; engage in transactions with affiliates, enter into sale leaseback transactions, enter into negative pledges or pay dividends or make other restricted payments (except that Holdco is permitted to (i) make restricted payments (including quarterly dividends) so long as, after giving effect to any such restricted payment, Holdco and its subsidiaries have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio equal to or greater than 1.0 to 1.0 and would be able to incur an additional $1.00 of debt under the incurrence test referred to above and (ii) make restricted payments of proceeds of asset dispositions to us to the extent such proceeds are not required to prepay loans under the 2007 Credit Facility and/or cash collateralize letter of credit obligations and such proceeds are used to prepay borrowings under acquisition credit facilities of ours). The 2007 Credit Facility also permits the borrowers, in certain limited circumstances, to designate subsidiaries as “unrestricted subsidiaries” which are not subject to the covenant restrictions in the 2007 Credit Facility. The 2007 Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including defaults based on a failure to pay principal, reimbursement obligations, interest, fees or other obligations, subject to specified grace periods; a material inaccuracy of representations and warranties; breach of covenants; failure to pay other indebtedness and cross-accelerations; a Change of Control (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility); events of bankruptcy and insolvency; material judgments; failure to meet certain requirements with respect to ERISA; and impairment of collateral.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and the willingness of lenders to extend additional credit, the 2007 Credit Facility provides that the borrowers may increase the amounts available under the revolving facility and/or the term loan facilities.
First Amendment to 2007 Credit Facility.
On May 7, 2007, we entered into the First Amendment to amend the 2007 Credit Facility. The First Amendment provided an incremental term loan facility under the 2007 Credit Facility in the amount of $275.0 million the proceeds of which were used to finance a portion of the Gannett Acquisition. As amended by the First Amendment, the 2007 Credit Facility includes $1.195 billion of term loan facilities and a $40.0 million revolving credit facility. The incremental term loan facility amortizes at the same rate and matures on the same date as the existing term loan facilities under the 2007 Credit Facility. Interest on the incremental term loan facility accrues at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the borrower, (a) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin equal to (i) 2.00%, if the corporate family ratings and corporate credit ratings of Operating by Moody’s Investor Service Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”), are at least B1 and B+, respectively, in each case with stable outlook or (ii) 2.25%, otherwise, or (b) the greater of the prime
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rate set by Wachovia Bank, National Association, or the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus a margin 1.00% lower than that applicable to adjusted LIBOR-based loans. Any voluntary or mandatory repayment of the First Amendment term loans made with the proceeds of a new term loan entered into for the primary purpose of benefiting from a margin that is less than the margin applicable as a result of the First Amendment will be subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium. The First Amendment term loans are subject to a “most favored nation” interest provision that grants the First Amendment term loans an interest rate margin that is 0.25% less than the highest margin of any future term loan borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility.
As previously noted, the First Amendment also modified the interest rates applicable to the term loans under the 2007 Credit Facility. Term loans thereunder accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Borrower, (a) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.00% or (b) the greater of the prime rate set by Wachovia Bank, National Association, or the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus a margin equal to 1.00%. The terms of the previously outstanding borrowings were also modified to include a 1.00% prepayment premium corresponding to the prepayment premium applicable to the First Amendment term loans and a corresponding “most favored nation” interest provision.
Summary Disclosure About Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table reflects a summary of our contractual cash obligations, including estimated interest payments where applicable, as of December 31, 2007:
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| | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | Thereafter | | Total |
| | (In Thousands) |
2007 Credit Facility and short-term note payable | | $ | 94,441 | | | $ | 83,708 | | | $ | 83,708 | | | $ | 83,708 | | | $ | 83,708 | | | $ | 1,345,103 | | | $ | 1,774,376 | |
Noncompete payments | | | 541 | | | | 501 | | | | 409 | | | | 391 | | | | 381 | | | | 71 | | | | 2,294 | |
Operating lease obligations | | | 5,340 | | | | 4,782 | | | | 4,181 | | | | 2,159 | | | | 1,916 | | | | 5,227 | | | | 23,605 | |
Letters of credit | | | 5,188 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,188 | |
Total | | $ | 105,510 | | | $ | 88,991 | | | $ | 88,298 | | | $ | 86,258 | | | $ | 86,005 | | | $ | 1,350,401 | | | $ | 1,805,463 | |
On February 27, 2007, we entered into the 2007 Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions with Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent. The 2007 Credit Facility provides for a $670.0 million term loan facility which matures in August 2014, a delayed draw term loan of up to $250.0 million available until August 2007 which matures in August, 2014 and a revolving credit agreement with a $40.0 million aggregate loan commitment available, including a $15.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline facility, which matures in February 2014.
On May 7, 2007, we amended our 2007 Credit Facility and increased our borrowings by $275.0 million.
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, provides a market-based framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is initially effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, however the FASB provided a one year deferral for implementation of the standard for non-financial assets and liabilities. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in 2008.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits companies to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective of this statement is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.
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SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2007, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 48-1,Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48, (“FIN 48-1”) which is an amendment to FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48-1 provides guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. FIN 48-1 became effective during the first quarter of 2007 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”), and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”).
SFAS No. 141(R) significantly changes the accounting for business combinations. Under SFAS No. 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date at fair value with limited exceptions. FAS No. 141(R) further changes the accounting treatment for certain specific items, including:
| • | Acquisition costs will be generally expensed as incurred; |
| • | Acquired contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently measured at either the higher of such amount or the amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired contingencies; |
| • | Restructuring costs associated with a business combination will be generally expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and |
| • | Changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. |
SFAS No. 141(R) includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to our business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on our consoliated financial statements.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
A non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined as one that purports to measure historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows, but excludes or includes amounts that would not be so adjusted in the most comparable GAAP measure. In this report, we define and use Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as set forth below.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as follows:
Income (loss) from continuing operationsbefore:
| • | Net income tax expense (benefit); |
| • | interest/financing expense; |
| • | depreciation and amortization; and |
| • | other non-recurring items. |
Management’s Use of Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to income from operations, net income (loss), cash flow from continuing operating activities or any other measure of performance or liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP.
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We believe this non-GAAP measure, as we have defined it, is helpful in identifying trends in our day-to-day performance because the items excluded have little or no significance on our day-to-day operations. This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieve optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed.
Adjusted EBITDA provides us with a measure of financial performance, independent of items that are beyond the control of management in the short-term, such as depreciation and amortization, taxation and interest expense associated with our capital structure. This metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure or expenses of the organization. Adjusted EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the board of directors to review the financial performance of the business on a monthly basis.
Limitations of Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool. It should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures of earnings or cash flows. Material limitations in making the adjustments to our earnings to calculate Adjusted EBITDA and using this non-GAAP financial measure as compared to GAAP net income (loss), include: the cash portion of interest/financing expense, income tax (benefit) provision and non-recurring charges related to gain (loss) on sale of facilities and extinguishment of debt activities generally represent charges (gains), which may significantly affect our financial results.
An investor or potential investor may find this item important in evaluating our performance, results of operations and financial position. We use non-GAAP financial measures to supplement our GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.
Adjusted EBITDA is not an alternative to net income, income from operations or cash flows provided by or used in operations as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. You should not rely on Adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for any such GAAP financial measure. We strongly urge you to review the reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA, along with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We also strongly urge you to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. In addition, because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and is susceptible to varying calculations, the Adjusted EBITDA measure, as presented in this report, may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
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The table below shows the reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2004 | | 2003 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) | | (Predecessor) | | (Predecessor) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (232,968 | ) | | $ | (1,574 | ) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) | | $ | (30,711 | ) | | $ | (14,650 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (31,192 | ) | | | (3,273 | ) | | | 7,050 | | | | (3,027 | ) | | | 1,228 | | | | (4,691 | ) |
Write-off of deferred offering costs | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,935 | |
Write-off of deferred financing costs | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 161 | |
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instrument(1) | | | 2,378 | | | | (1,150 | ) | | | (10,807 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt(2) | | | 2,240 | | | | 2,086 | | | | — | | | | 5,525 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 2,101 | | | | 544 | | | | 67 | | | | 643 | | | | 1,826 | | | | 1,810 | |
Interest expense – dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,484 | | | | 29,019 | | | | 13,206 | |
Interest expense – debt | | | 76,726 | | | | 35,994 | | | | 11,760 | | | | 13,232 | | | | 32,917 | | | | 32,433 | |
Impairment of long-lived assets | | | 1,553 | | | | 917 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,500 | | | | — | |
Transaction costs related to Merger and Massachusetts Acquisitions | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,850 | | | | 7,703 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 57,750 | | | | 24,051 | | | | 8,030 | | | | 5,776 | | | | 13,374 | | | | 13,359 | |
Goodwill and mastheads impairment | | | 225,993 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | | $ | 104,581 | (a) | | $ | 57,595 | (b) | | $ | 28,515 | (c) | | $ | 18,505 | (d) | | $ | 49,153 | (e) | | $ | 43,563 | (f) |
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| (a) | Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2007 included net expenses of $23,791 which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $23,791 is non-cash compensation and other expense of $14,007, non-cash portion of postretirement benefits expense of $799, integration and reorganization costs of $7,490 and a $1,495 loss on the sale of assets. |
Adjusted EBITDA also does not include $10,189 from SureWest Directories due to the impact of purchase accounting and $2,393 from our discontinued operations, including Huntington, West Virginia, Yankton, South Dakota and Winter Haven, Florida.
| (b) | Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2006 included net expenses of $11,109, which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $11,109 is non-cash compensation and other expense of $5,175, non-cash portion of postretirement benefit expense of $748, integration and reorganization costs of $4,486 and a $700 loss on the sale of assets. |
| (c) | Adjusted EBITDA for the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 included net expenses of $1,643 which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $1,643 is non-cash compensation and other expense of $681 and integration and reorganization costs of $1,002, which are partially offset by a $40 gain on the sale of assets. |
| (d) | Adjusted EBITDA for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 included net expenses of $1,564, which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $1,564 is non-cash compensation and other expense of $796 and management fees paid to prior owners of $768. |
| (e) | Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2004 included net expenses of $1,076, which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $1,076 is management fees paid to prior owners of $1,480 and a loss of $30 on the sale of assets, partially offset by $434 of other income. |
| (f) | Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2003 included net expenses of $1,610, which are one-time in nature or non-cash compensation. Included in these net expenses of $1,610 is non-cash compensation expense and other expense of $26, management fees paid to prior owners of $1,480 and a loss of $104 on the sale of assets |
| (1) | Non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments is related to interest rate swap agreements which are financing related and are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. |
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| (2) | Non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs are similar to interest expense and amorization of financing fees and are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. |
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flow. In the normal course of business, exposure to certain of these market risks is managed as described below.
Interest Rates
At December 31, 2007, after consideration of the forward starting interest rate swaps described below, none of the remaining principal amount of our term loans are subject to floating interest rates.
Our debt structure and interest rate risks are managed through the use of floating rate debt and interest rate swaps. Our primary exposure is to LIBOR. A 100 basis point change in LIBOR would change our income from continuing operations before income taxes on an annualized basis by approximately $0.1 million, based on pro forma floating rate debt of $11.0 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2007, after consideration of the interest rate swaps of $1.195 billion described below.
On June 23, 2005, we executed an interest rate swap in the notional amount of $300.0 million with a forward starting date of July 1, 2005. The interest rate swap has a term of seven years. Under this swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 4.135% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to the one month LIBOR.
On May 10, 2006, we executed an additional interest rate swap in the notional amount of $270.0 million with a forward starting date of July 3, 2006. The interest rate swap has a term of five years. Under this swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 5.359% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to the one month LIBOR.
On February 27, 2007, we executed an additional interest rate swap in the notional amount of $100.0 million with a forward starting date of February 28, 2007. The interest rate swap has a term of seven years. Under this swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 5.14% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing, interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to the one month LIBOR.
On April 4, 2007, we executed an additional interest rate swap in the notional amount of $250.0 million with a forward starting date of April 13, 2007. The interest rate swap has a term of seven years. Under this swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 4.971% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to one month LIBOR.
On April 13, 2007, we executed an additional interest rate swap in the notional amount of $200.0 million with a forward starting date of April 30, 2007. The interest rate swap has a term of seven years. Under this swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 5.079% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to one month LIBOR.
On September 18, 2007, we executed an additional interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $75.0 million with a forward starting date of September 18, 2007. The interest rate swap has a term of seven years. Under the swap, we pay an amount to the swap counterparty representing interest on a notional amount at a rate of 4.941% and receive an amount from the swap counterparty representing interest on the notional amount at a rate equal to one month LIBOR.
Commodities
Certain materials we use are subject to commodity price changes. We manage this risk through instruments such as purchase orders, membership in a buying consortium and continuing programs to mitigate the
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impact of cost increases through identification of sourcing and operating efficiencies. Primary commodity price exposures are newsprint, energy costs and, to a lesser extent, ink.
A $10 per metric ton newsprint price change would result in a corresponding annualized change in our income from continuing operations before income taxes of $0.8 million based on pro forma as adjusted newsprint usage for the year ended December 31, 2007 of approximately 83,000 metric tons.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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| | Page |
Consolidated Financial Statements:
| | | | |
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms | | | 70 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | | 72 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), and December 31, 2006 (Successor), the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor) and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor) | | | 73 | |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), and December 31, 2006 (Successor), the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor) and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor) | | | 74 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 (Successor), and December 31, 2006 (Successor), the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor) and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor) | | | 77 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | 78 | |
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
GateHouse Media, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of GateHouse Media, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended. In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2007 listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of GateHouse Media, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2007, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), GateHouse Media, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 17, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Buffalo, New York
March 17, 2008
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
GateHouse Media, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of GateHouse Media, Inc. (formerly Liberty Group Publishing, Inc.) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006 (Successor Period), the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor Period), and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor Period). In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the index at Item 15(a). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GateHouse Media, Inc. (formerly Liberty Group Publishing, Inc.) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006 (Successor Period), the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor Period), the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor Period), in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1(r) to the consolidated financial statements, during 2006 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),Share-Based Payment.
As discussed in Note 1(j) to the consolidated financial statements, in 2005 the Company changed to June 30 the date on which the annual impairment assessment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives is made.
As discussed in Note 1(b) to the consolidated financial statements, effective June 6, 2005, FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC acquired all of the outstanding stock of GateHouse Media, Inc. in a business combination accounted for as a purchase. As a result of the acquisition, the consolidated financial information for the period after the acquisition is presented on a different cost basis than for the periods prior to the acquisition and therefore, is not comparable.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 12, 2007
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GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
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| | December 31, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 |
ASSETS
| | | | | | | | |
Current assets:
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 12,096 | | | $ | 90,302 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,874 and $2,332 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively | | | 85,474 | | | | 42,990 | |
Inventory | | | 9,046 | | | | 4,664 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 4,514 | | | | 3,372 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 3,890 | | | | 2,896 | |
Other current assets | | | 4,208 | | | | 380 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 1,540 | | | | — | |
Total current assets | | | 120,768 | | | | 144,604 | |
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $30,597 and $11,224 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. | | | 210,209 | | | | 98,371 | |
Goodwill | | | 701,852 | | | | 480,430 | |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $58,111 and $20,246 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. | | | 808,794 | | | | 391,096 | |
Deferred financing costs, net | | | 8,416 | | | | 5,297 | |
Derivative instruments | | | — | | | | 7,972 | |
Other assets | | | 1,692 | | | | 1,404 | |
Long-term assets held for sale | | | 23,264 | | | | 2,323 | |
Total assets | | $ | 1,874,995 | | | $ | 1,131,497 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
| | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities:
| | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term liabilities | | $ | 1,047 | | | $ | 487 | |
Short-term note payable | | | 10,000 | | | | — | |
Accounts payable | | | 13,190 | | | | 5,655 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 40,672 | | | | 18,167 | |
Accrued interest | | | 9,947 | | | | 2,358 | |
Deferred revenue | | | 29,840 | | | | 14,554 | |
Dividend payable | | | 23,126 | | | | 9,394 | |
Liabilities held for sale | | | 623 | | | | — | |
Total current liabilities | | | 128,445 | | | | 50,615 | |
Long-term liabilities:
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 1,206,000 | | | | 558,000 | |
Long-term liabilities, less current portion | | | 4,455 | | | | 1,324 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 25,327 | | | | 34,709 | |
Derivative instruments | | | 44,101 | | | | — | |
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations | | | 12,679 | | | | 13,765 | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,421,007 | | | | 658,413 | |
Stockholders’ equity:
| | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2007; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 | | | — | | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2007; 57,947,073 and 39,147,263 shares issued, and 57,891,295 and 39,141,263 outstanding at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively | | | 568 | | | | 381 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 822,025 | | | | 486,011 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (49,962 | ) | | | (2,644 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | | | (318,407 | ) | | | (10,604 | ) |
Treasury stock, at cost, 55,778 and 6,000 shares at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively | | | (236 | ) | | | (60 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 453,988 | | | | 473,084 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 1,874,995 | | | $ | 1,131,497 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Revenues:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advertising | | $ | 435,769 | | | $ | 238,721 | | | $ | 88,798 | | | $ | 63,172 | |
Circulation | | | 119,649 | | | | 52,656 | | | | 19,298 | | | | 14,184 | |
Commercial printing and other | | | 33,510 | | | | 23,553 | | | | 11,415 | | | | 8,134 | |
Total revenues | | | 588,928 | | | | 314,930 | | | | 119,511 | | | | 85,490 | |
Operating costs and expenses:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs | | | 316,148 | | | | 160,877 | | | | 61,001 | | | | 40,007 | |
Selling, general, and administrative | | | 159,198 | | | | 91,272 | | | | 29,033 | | | | 26,210 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 57,750 | | | | 24,051 | | | | 8,030 | | | | 5,776 | |
Transaction costs related to Merger and Massachusetts Acquisitions | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,850 | | | | 7,703 | |
Integration and reorganization costs and management fees paid to prior owner | | | 7,490 | | | | 4,486 | | | | 1,002 | | | | 768 | |
Impairment of long-lived assets | | | 1,553 | | | | 917 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | | | (1,495 | ) | | | (700 | ) | | | 40 | | | | — | |
Goodwill and mastheads impairment | | | 225,993 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Operating income (loss) | | | (180,699 | ) | | | 32,627 | | | | 17,635 | | | | 5,026 | |
Interest expense – debt | | | 76,726 | | | | 35,994 | | | | 11,760 | | | | 13,232 | |
Interest expense – dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,484 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 2,101 | | | | 544 | | | | 67 | | | | 643 | |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | | 2,240 | | | | 2,086 | | | | — | | | | 5,525 | |
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instrument | | | 2,378 | | | | (1,150 | ) | | | (10,807 | ) | | | — | |
Other expense | | | 16 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (264,160 | ) | | | (4,847 | ) | | | 16,615 | | | | (27,858 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (31,192 | ) | | | (3,273 | ) | | | 7,050 | | | | (3,027 | ) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (232,968 | ) | | | (1,574 | ) | | | 9,565 | | | | (24,831 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | 1,544 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (231,424 | ) | | $ | (1,574 | ) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Earnings (loss) per share:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (5.02 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (4.99 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Dividends declared per share | | $ | 1.57 | | | $ | 0.64 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands, except share data)
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| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Deferred Compensation | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | | Treasury Stock | | Notes Receivable | | Total |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount |
Balance at December 31, 2004 (Predecessor) | | | 218,517,700 | | | | 2,185 | | | | 14,281 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (180,909 | ) | | | 2,634,400 | | | | (181 | ) | | | (953 | ) | | | (165,577 | ) |
Repayment of notes receivable through forgiveness of debt | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 953 | | | | 953 | |
Net loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (24,831 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (24,831 | ) |
Balance at June 5, 2005 (Predecessor) | | | 218,517,700 | | | | 2,185 | | | | 14,281 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (205,740 | ) | | | 2,634,400 | | | | (181 | ) | | | — | | | | (189,455 | ) |
Redemption of Predecessor’s outstanding common stock | | | (218,517,700 | ) | | | (2,185 | ) | | | (14,281 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (16,466 | ) |
Cancellation of Predecessor’s stock held in treasury | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,634,400 | ) | | | 181 | | | | — | | | | 181 | |
Write-off of Predecessor’s accumulated deficit associated with the Merger | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 205,740 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 205,740 | |
Contributed capital associated with the Merger | | | 22,197,500 | | | | 222 | | | | 221,753 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 221,975 | |
Restricted share grants | | | 442,500 | | | | — | | | | 4,425 | | | | (4,425 ) | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Restricted share grants, compensation expense | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 516 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 516 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9,565 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9,565 | |
Balance at December 31, 2005 (Successor) | | | 22,640,000 | | | | 222 | | | | 226,178 | | | | (3,909 | ) | | | — | | | | 9,565 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 232,056 | |
Comprehensive loss:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,574 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,574 | ) |
Unrealized loss on derivative instrument, net of income taxes of $1,560 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,351 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,351 | ) |
Comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,925 | ) |
Adjustment to initially apply FASB Statement 158, net of income taxes of $197 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (293 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (293 | ) |
Reclassification of deferred compensation | | | — | | | | — | | | | (3,909 | ) | | | 3,909 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
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GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) – (continued)
(In thousands, except share data)
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| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Deferred Compensation | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | | Treasury Stock | | Notes Receivable | | Total |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount |
Restricted share grants | | | 618,680 | | | | — | | | | 1,936 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,936 | |
Restricted share forfeitures | | | (6,417 | ) | | | — | | | | (15 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (15 | ) |
Issuance of common stock | | | 25,000 | | | | — | | | | 375 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 375 | |
Issuance of common stock from initial public offering, net of issuance costs | | | 15,870,000 | | | | 159 | | | | 261,446 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 261,605 | |
Purchase of treasury stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 6,000 | | | | (60 | ) | | | — | | | | (60 | ) |
Common stock cash dividends | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (18,595 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (18,595 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2006 (Successor) | | | 39,147,263 | | | $ | 381 | | | $ | 486,011 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,644 | ) | | $ | (10,604 | ) | | | 6,000 | | | $ | (60 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 473,084 | |
Comprehensive loss:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (231,424 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (231,424 | ) |
Unrealized loss on derivative instrument, net of income taxes of $930 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (48,764 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (48,764 | ) |
Net actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of income taxes of $930 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,446 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,446 | |
Comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (278,742 | ) |
Restricted share grants | | | 198,846 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Non-cash compensation expense | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,617 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,617 | |
Restricted share forfeitures | | | (99,036 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 35,469 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Restricted stock canceled for withholding tax | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 14,309 | | | | (176 | ) | | | — | | | | (176 | ) |
Deferred offering costs from initial public offering | | | — | | | | — | | | | (38 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (38 | ) |
Issuance of common stock from follow on public offering, net of issuance costs | | | 18,700,000 | | | | 187 | | | | 331,435 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 331,622 | |
Common stock cash dividends
| | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (76,379 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (76,379 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2007 (Successor) | | | 57,947,073 | | | $ | 568 | | | $ | 822,025 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (49,962 | ) | | $ | (318,407 | ) | | | 55,778 | | | $ | (236 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 453,988 | |
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GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Cash flows from operating activities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (231,424 | ) | | $ | (1,574 | ) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | 1,544 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (232,968 | ) | | | (1,574 | ) | | | 9,565 | | | | (24,831 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by continuing operating activities: | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 57,750 | | | | 24,051 | | | | 8,030 | | | | 5,776 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 2,101 | | | | 544 | | | | 67 | | | | 643 | |
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument | | | 2,378 | | | | (1,150 | ) | | | (10,807 | ) |
Issuance of Senior Debentures in lieu of paying cash interest on Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures held by affiliates | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,765 | |
Change in Accrued interest on Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures held by affiliates | | | — | | | | — | | | | (21,129 | ) | | | (389 | ) |
Non-cash compensation expense | | | 4,687 | | | | 1,846 | | | | 516 | | | | — | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (32,657 | ) | | | (3,448 | ) | | | 6,899 | | | | (3,520 | ) |
Loss on sale of assets | | | 1,495 | | | | 700 | | | | (40 | ) | | | — | |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | | 2,240 | | | | 2,086 | | | | — | | | | 5,525 | |
Interest expense – dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,484 | |
Non-cash transaction costs related to Merger | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 953 | |
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations | | | 800 | | | | 748 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Impairment of long-lived assets | | | 1,553 | | | | 917 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Goodwill and mastheads impairment | | | 225,993 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 4,207 | | | | (1,701 | ) | | | 760 | | | | (656 | ) |
Inventory | | | 1,712 | | | | (23 | ) | | | (408 | ) | | | 74 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 1,060 | | | | 610 | | | | 229 | | | | (217 | ) |
Other assets | | | (2,685 | ) | | | 161 | | | | 117 | | | | (9 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | 5,081 | | | | 1,614 | | | | (58 | ) | | | 223 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 13,801 | | | | (829 | ) | | | (5,487 | ) | | | 4,763 | |
Accrued interest | | | 7,589 | | | | 1,025 | | | | 183 | | | | (6,990 | ) |
Deferred revenue | | | (219 | ) | | | (668 | ) | | | (113 | ) | | | (71 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | | | (195 | ) | | | 308 | | | | (138 | ) | | | (95 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 63,723 | | | | 25,217 | | | | (11,814 | ) | | | (572 | ) |
Cash flows from investing activities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment | | | (8,592 | ) | | | (8,396 | ) | | | (4,967 | ) | | | (1,015 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of publications and other assets | | | 79,658 | | | | 4,494 | | | | 3,398 | | | | — | |
Acquisition of GateHouse Media, Inc., net of cash acquired | | | — | | | | — | | | | (23,930 | ) | | | — | |
Acquisition of CP Media, net of cash acquired | | | — | | | | (231,735 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Acquisition of Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, net of cash acquired | | | (154 | ) | | | (181,393 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Acquisition of The Copley Press, Inc. Newspapers, net of cash acquired | | | (385,756 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Acquisition of Gannett Co., Inc. Newspapers, net of cash acquired | | | (418,576 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Other acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | (317,738 | ) | | | (11,808 | ) | | | (15,082 | ) | | | (80 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (1,051,158 | ) | | | (428,838 | ) | | | (40,581 | ) | | | (1,095 | ) |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Cash flows from financing activities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extinguishment of senior subordinated notes, net of fees | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (182,813 | ) |
Extinguishment of senior discount notes, held by third parties | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (20,184 | ) |
Extinguishment of senior preferred stock, held by third parties | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (11,361 | ) |
Payment of debt issuance costs | | | (7,460 | ) | | | (7,166 | ) | | | (771 | ) | | | (2,350 | ) |
Borrowings under term loans | | | 1,534,757 | | | | 570,000 | | | | 27,926 | | | | 276,500 | |
Repayments of term loans | | | (897,757 | ) | | | (12,000 | ) | | | — | | | | (60,052 | ) |
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility | | | 11,000 | | | | (8,500 | ) | | | 8,500 | | | | — | |
Extinguishment of Senior Debentures | | | — | | | | — | | | | (69,200 | ) | | | — | |
Contributed capital | | | — | | | | — | | | | 221,975 | | | | — | |
Extinguishment of senior preferred stock, related to Merger | | | — | | | | — | | | | (134,321 | ) | | | — | |
Extinguishment of credit facility, net of fees | | | — | | | | (304,426 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Payment of offering costs | | | (1,374 | ) | | | (3,701 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Issuance of common stock, net of underwriter's discount | | | 332,939 | | | | 265,914 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Purchase of treasury stock | | | (176 | ) | | | (60 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Payment of dividends | | | (62,700 | ) | | | (9,201 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 909,229 | | | | 490,860 | | | | 54,109 | | | | (260 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | (78,206 | ) | | | 87,239 | | | | 1,714 | | | | (1,927 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 90,302 | | | | 3,063 | | | | 1,349 | | | | 3,276 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 12,096 | | | $ | 90,302 | | | $ | 3,063 | | | $ | 1,349 | |
Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash interest paid | | $ | 74,910 | | | $ | 38,459 | | | $ | 31,720 | | | $ | 16,879 | |
Cash income taxes paid | | | 131 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Repayment of notes receivable through forgiveness of debt | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 953 | |
Issuance of Senior Debentures in lieu of paying cash interest on Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures held by affiliates | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,765 | |
New Senior Debentures issued in exchange for Senior Debentures and Senior Discount Debentures held by affiliates | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 87,503 | |
Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock issued in exchange for Series A Senior Preferred Stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 114,277 | |
Note payable issued related to the acquisition of Morris Publishing Group | | | 10,000 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Description of Business
GateHouse Media, Inc. (“GateHouse”), formerly Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. (“LGP”), and subsidiaries is a leading U.S. publisher of local newspapers and related publications that are the dominant source of local news and print advertising in their markets. As of December 31, 2007, the Company (as defined below) owns and operates 515 publications located in 23 states. The majority of the Company’s paid daily newspapers have been published for more than 100 years and are typically the only paid daily newspapers of general circulation in their respective nonmetropolitan markets. The Company’s publications generally face limited competition as a result of operating in small and midsized markets that can typically support only one newspaper. The Company has strategically clustered its publications in geographically diverse, nonmetropolitan markets in the Midwest and Northeast United States, which limits its exposure to economic conditions in any single market or region.
Unlike large metropolitan newspapers, the Company derives a majority of its revenues from local advertising, rather than national advertising, which is generally more sensitive to economic conditions. The Company currently operates in a single reportable segment as its publications have similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution.
(b) Basis of Presentation
GateHouse was formed in 1997 for purposes of acquiring 166 daily and weekly newspapers. GateHouse is a holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc. (“Operating Company”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GateHouse and Operating Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (“the Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
On May 9, 2005, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC (“Parent”), FIF III Liberty Acquisitions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Subsidiary”), and the Company entered into an agreement that provided for the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“the Merger”). The Merger was completed on June 6, 2005. The total value of the transaction was approximately $527,000.
The Merger resulted in a new basis of accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141,Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141”). This change creates many differences between reporting for the Company pre-Merger, as predecessor, and the Company post-Merger, as successor. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes to consolidated financial statements reflect separate reporting periods for the predecessor and successor company.
The following transactions occurred in connection with the Merger:
| • | The Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01, were converted into the right to receive $0.10 per share in cash (“Conversion Amount”), or $21,588 in the aggregate. |
| • | Each share of Series B-1 Senior Preferred stock issued and outstanding at the time of the Merger was converted, without interest, into $1,000 per share, or $115,821 in the aggregate, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends of $3,182, and was extinguished. |
| • | Each share of Series B Junior Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the Merger was converted, without interest, into $115.56 per share, or $15,317 in the aggregate, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends of $0, and was extinguished. |
| • | Parent and certain management investors contributed approximately $221,975 in cash to the Company, which in turn held all the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company after the completion of the Merger. |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
| • | The Company amended its 2005 credit facility to allow for a change in control and borrowed $33,500 on the revolving credit facility in connection with the Merger. The Company paid $771 in fees in connection with the amendment. |
| • | The Company incurred approximately $10,553 in transaction costs associated with the Merger. |
| • | Each outstanding option under the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan (“the Option Plan”) was cancelled for cash consideration per share equal to the difference between the conversion amount of $0.10 per share and the respective exercise price of the option, or $93 in the aggregate. Additionally, all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock held in treasury at the time of the Merger were cancelled. |
(c) Initial Public Offering
On October 25, 2006, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 13,800,000 shares of common stock at $18.00 per share. The Company’s registered common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GHS.”
On November 3, 2006, the underwriters of the Company’s IPO exercised their option to purchase an additional 2,070,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The total net proceeds from the IPO of 13,800,000 shares and this additional allotment of 2,070,000 shares after deducting offering expenses and the underwriting discount was $261,605.
(d) Follow-on Public Offering
On July 23, 2007, the Company completed its follow-on public offering of 18,700,000 shares of its common stock, including 1,700,000 shares sold pursuant to the exercise by the underwriters of their option, pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, at a public offering price of $18.45 per share. The total net proceeds from the follow-on public offering were approximately $331,622.
(e) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(f) Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31, 2007. CP Media, the newspapers acquired from the Copley Press, Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc., subsidiaries of the Company, have a fiscal year which ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. CP Media, the newspapers acquired from the Copley Press, Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc’s fiscal years ended on December 30, 2007.
(g) Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon several factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical payment trends and current economic factors. The Company generally does not require collateral.
(h) Inventory
Inventory consists principally of newsprint, which is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
(i) Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. Routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is calculated under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, principally 25 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and computer software. Leasehold improvements are amortized under the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.
(j) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of advertiser, subscriber, customer relationships, mastheads, non-compete agreements with former owners of acquired newspapers, trade names and publication rights. The excess of acquisition costs over the estimated fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Advertiser and subscriber relationships were amortized over useful lives of 20 and 30 years, respectively during the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005. Customer relationships unrelated to newspapers were amortized over 10 years during the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005. Non-compete agreements were amortized over periods of up to 10 years depending on the specifics of the agreement.
The Company obtained a third party independent appraisal to determine the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the Merger. The appraisal used an excess earning approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 5.0% to 7.0% for advertiser relationships and 5.0% for subscriber relationships. Growth rates were estimated to be 3.0% and the discount rate was estimated to be 8.5%.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of 27 years, which considers that a majority of the publications have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories’ over 100 years. The majority of the Company’s paid daily newspapers have been published for more than 100 years and are typically the only paid daily newspapers of general circulation in their respective nonmetropolitan markets. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber and advertiser relationships are being amortized over 19 years and 18 years, respectively, on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable, commencing June 6, 2005. Non-compete agreements are amortized over periods of up to 5 years depending on the specifics of the agreement.
For tax purposes, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $622,913 as of December 31, 2007.
Goodwill and mastheads are not amortized pursuant to SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS No. 142”). Mastheads are not amortized because it has been determined that the useful lives of such mastheads are indefinite.
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or when events indicate that an impairment could exist which may include an economic downturn in a market, a change in the assesment of future operations or a decline in the Company’s stock price. As a result of the Merger, the Company changed the date on which the annual impairment assessment is made to June 30. As required by SFAS No. 142, the Company performs its impairment analysis on each of its reporting units, represented by its geographic regions. The geographic regions have discrete financial information and are regularly reviewed by management. The fair value of the applicable reporting unit is compared to
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
its carrying value. Calculating the fair value of a reporting unit requires significant estimates and assumptions by the Company. The Company estimates fair value by applying third-party market value indicators to projected cash flows and/or projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. In applying this methodology, the Company relies on a number of factors, including current operating results and cash flows, expected future operating results and cash flows, future business plans, and market data. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the estimate of fair value, the Company calculates the impairment as the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value.
The Company determined that it should perform impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter, due to the Company’s stock price as of the end of its fourth quarter.
The fair values of the Company’s reporting units for goodwill impairment testing and newspaper mastheads were estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows, recent industry transaction multiples and using estimates, judgments and assumptions that management believes were appropriate in the circumstances and that hypothetical marketplace participants would use.
The sum of the fair values of the reporting units was reconciled to the Company’s current market capitalization (based upon the stock market price) plus an estimated control premium. As a result of the fair values of the reporting units, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill of $201,479 and a newspaper masthead impairment charge of $24,514 in the fourth quarter of 2007. No goodwill or masthead impairment charges were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2006 or 2005.
The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144,Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS No. 144”) . The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including property, plant, and equipment and definite lived intangible assets, whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets, or related group of assets, may not be fully recoverable. Impairment indicators include significant under performance relative to historical or projected future operating losses, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the Company’s overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. The assessment of recoverability is based on management’s estimates. If the carrying value of the assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be deemed to be impaired. Impairment would be measured as the difference between the fair value and its carrying value.
(k) Revenue Recognition
Circulation revenue from subscribers is billed to customers at the beginning of the subscription period and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related subscription. Circulation revenue from single copy sales is recognized at the time of sale. Advertising revenue is recognized upon publication of the advertisement. Revenue for commercial printing is recognized upon delivery. Directory revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the twelve-month period in which the corresponding directory is distributed.
(l) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company records tax assets and liabilities at the date of a purchase business combination, based on management’s best estimate of the ultimate tax basis that will be accepted by the tax authority, and liabilities
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
for prior tax returns of the acquired entity should be based on the Company’s best estimate of the ultimate settlement in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 93-7,Uncertainties Related to Income Taxes in a Purchase Business Combination. At the date of a change in the Company’s best estimate of the ultimate tax basis of acquired assets, liabilities, and carryforwards, and at the date that the tax basis is settled with the tax authority, tax assets and liabilities should be adjusted to reflect the revised tax basis and the amount of any settlement with the tax authority for prior-year income taxes. Similarly, at the date of a change in the Company’s best estimate of items relating to the acquired entity’s prior tax returns, and at the date that the items are settled with the tax authority, any liability previously recognized should be adjusted. The effect of those adjustments should be applied to increase or decrease the remaining balance of goodwill attributable to that acquisition. If goodwill is reduced to zero, the remaining amount of those adjustments should be applied initially to reduce to zero other noncurrent intangible assets related to that acquisition, and any remaining amount should be recognized in earnings.
The realization of the remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on the scheduled reversals of deferred taxes. Any changes in the scheduled reversals of deferred taxes may require an additional valuation allowance against the remaining deferred tax assets. Any increase or decrease in the valuation allowance could result in an increase or decrease in income tax expense in the period of adjustment.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109 (“FIN 48”), effective January 1, 2007. There was no impact as a result of the implementation of FIN 48. The Company does not anticipate significant increases or decreases in our uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months. The Company recognizes penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrealized tax benefits in income tax expense.
(m) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company has reviewed its cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and has determined that their carrying values approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The Company’s carrying value for its long-term debt and revolving credit facility approximates fair value due to the variable interest rates associated with these financial instruments.
The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), as amended by SFAS No. 138,Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and SFAS No. 149,Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. These standards require an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either stockholders’ equity or net earnings depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as an effective hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity.
(n) Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents represent highly liquid certificates of deposit which have original maturities of three months or less.
(o) Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs consist of costs incurred in connection with debt financings. Such costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining term of the related debt.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
(p) Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. The Company incurred total advertising expenses of $4,444, $1,787, $382 and $585 during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, respectively.
(q) Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issued through common stock equivalents.
(r) Stock-based Employee Compensation
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock options under the provisions of SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”) and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB No. 25”). The Company elected to apply the provisions of APB No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosures of SFAS No. 123 during the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005.
Prior to the Merger, the Company had one stock-based employee compensation plan, which is more fully described in Note 17. On June 5, 2005, each outstanding option under the Option Plan was cancelled for cash consideration per share equal to the difference between the conversion amount of $0.10 per share and the respective exercise price of the option, or $93 in the aggregate and, accordingly, the Company recognized compensation expense during the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005. There were no options granted during 2006 or 2005. In June 2006, the Company cancelled the Option Plan.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) as if the Company had applied the fair value-based method to all outstanding and unvested awards for the periods presented:
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| | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Net income (loss), as reported | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Add:
| | | | | | | | |
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss) | | | 516 | | | | 93 | |
Deduct:
| | | | | | | | |
Stock-based employee compensation determined under fair value-based method | | | (516 | ) | | | (93 | ) |
Pro forma net income (loss) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Earnings (loss) per share:
| | | | | | | | |
Basic – as reported | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Basic – pro forma | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Diluted – as reported | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Diluted – pro forma | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Under the stock-based employee compensation plan, the exercise price of each option equals the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. For purposes of calculating compensation expense consistent
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
with SFAS No. 123, the fair value of each 2004 stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: expected dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 18.6%, risk-free interest rate of 4.5%, and an expected life of 10 years. There were no stock option grants during 2005.
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004),Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”). SFAS No. 123R supersedes SFAS No. 123 and APB No. 25 and requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in the consolidated financial statements on a straight line basis over the service period (generally the vesting period) based on fair values measured on grant dates. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method, therefore, prior results were not restated. Under the modified prospective method, share-based compensation is recognized for new awards, the modification, repurchase or cancellation of awards and the remaining portion of service under previously granted, unvested awards outstanding as of the date of adoption. Accordingly, the expense required under SFAS No. 123R has been recorded beginning January 1, 2006. In addition, the Company eliminated the December 31, 2005 balance of deferred compensation of $3,909 by reducing additional paid-in capital.
(s) Pension and Postretirement Liabilities
SFAS No. 158,Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (“SFAS No. 158”), became effective for the Company during the year ended December 31, 2006, and requires recognition of an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheet reflecting the funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans such as retiree health and life, with current-year changes in the funded status recognized in the statement of stockholders’ equity. SFAS No. 158 did not change the existing criteria for measurement of periodic benefit costs, plan assets or benefit obligations. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, a total of $1,446 and $(293), net of taxes of $930 and $197 respectively, was recognized in other comprehensive income (see Note 16).
(t) Self-Insurance Liability Accruals
We maintain self-insured medical and workers’ compensation programs. We purchase stop loss coverage from third parties which limits our exposure to large claims. We record a liability for healthcare and workers’ compensation costs during the period in which they occur as well as an estimate of incurred but not reported claims.
(u) Correction of Immaterial Error
The Company revised its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to corrections of immaterial prior years’ errors identified in the current year (“Purchase accounting tax adjustment”). The Company overstated both its deferred tax liability and goodwill balances as of December 31, 2006 primarily related to deferred taxes being calculated on tax deductible goodwill as part of the Merger. The result was a decrease of previously reported deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately $36,226 as of December 31, 2006. This adjustment relates entirely to acquisition deferred taxes and, as such, there is no impact on previously reported income tax expense or net income.
Upon adoption of SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (“SFAS No. 158”) in 2006, the Company recognized a comprehensive loss of $293 (net of income taxes) to record the unfunded portion of its defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities. This adjustment was disclosed in the notes to the December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements. However, SFAS No. 158 requires that this adjustment not affect comprehensive income, but rather be reflected as an adjustment directly to stockholders’ equity. The reported net loss, the loss from continuing
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
operations, the cumulative pension adjustment and total stockholders’ equity were not affected by this misstatement, however, as a result of this error, which has now been corrected, the reported comprehensive loss had been overstated by $293.
(v) Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior periods consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2007 presentation.
(w) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, provides a market-based framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is initially effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, however the FASB provided a one year deferral for implementation of the standard for non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements in 2008.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits companies to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective of this statement is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2007, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 48-1,Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48, (“FIN 48-1”) which is an amendment to FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48-1 provides guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. FIN 48-1 became effective during the first quarter of 2007 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”), and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”).
SFAS No. 141(R) significantly changes the accounting for business combinations. Under SFAS No. 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date at fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141(R) further changes the accounting treatment for certain specific items, including:
| • | Acquisition costs will be generally expensed as incurred; |
| • | Acquired contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently measured at either the higher of such amount or the amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired contingencies; |
| • | Restructuring costs associated with a business combination will be generally expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
| • | Changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. |
SFAS No. 141(R) includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to the Company’s business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on its consoliated financial statements.
(2) Share-Based Compensation
The Company recognized compensation cost for share-based payments of $4,687, $1,846, $516 and $93, during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005, and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, respectively. The income tax benefit related to share-based payments recognized in the statement of operations during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $1,835 and $688, respectively. The total compensation cost not yet recognized related to non-vested awards as of December 31, 2007 was $9,205, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years through October 2011.
Total share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006 of $1,846 is comprised of $125 related to the purchase of common stock at a discount, as discussed below, and $1,721 related to share-based compensation expense for Restricted Share Grants (“RSGs”), which is net of estimated forfeitures.
(a) Restricted Share Grants
Prior to the IPO, the Company had issued 792,500 RSGs to certain management investors pursuant to each investor’s management stockholder agreement (the “Management Stockholder Agreements”). Under the Management Stockholder Agreements, RSGs vest by one-third on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries from the grant date. Following the adoption of the GateHouse Media, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in October 2006, an additional 268,680 RSGs were granted during the year ended December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2007 an additional 198,846 RSGs were granted to Company directors, management and employees, 105,453 of which were both granted and forfeited. The majority of the RSGs issued under the Plan vest in increments of one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. In the event a grantee of an RSG is terminated by the Company without cause, a number of unvested RSGs immediately vest that would have vested under the normal vesting period on the next succeeding anniversary date following such termination. In the event an RSG grantee’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause within twelve months after a change in control as defined in the applicable award agreement, all unvested RSGs become immediately vested at the termination date. During the period prior to the lapse and removal of the vesting restrictions, a grantee of an RSG will have all of the rights of a stockholder, including without limitation, the right to vote and the right to receive all dividends or other distributions. As a result, the RSGs are reflected as outstanding common stock; however, the unvested RSGs have been excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share. With respect to Company employees, the value of the RSGs on the date of issuance is recognized as employee compensation expense over the vesting period or through the grantee’s eligible retirement date, if shorter, with an increase to additional paid-in-capital. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $4,687 and $1,721, respectively in share-based compensation expense related to RSGs.
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, there were 1,035,480 and 1,051,763 RSGs, respectively, issued and outstanding with a weighted average grant date fair value of $13.87 and $14.33, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the aggregate intrinsic value of unvested RSGs was $9,205. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the aggregate fair value of vested RSGs was $952.
RSG activity was as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(2) Share-Based Compensation – (continued)
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| | Number of RSGs | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
Unvested at December 31, 2006 | | | 1,051,763 | | | $ | 14.33 | |
Granted | | | 198,846 | | | | 11.69 | |
Vested | | | (80,624 | ) | | | 19.78 | |
Forfeited | | | (134,505 | ) | | | 10.72 | |
Unvested at December 31, 2007 | | | 1,035,480 | | | $ | 13.87 | |
SFAS No. 123R requires the recognition of share-based compensation for the number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company’s estimated forfeitures are based on forfeiture rates of comparable plans. Estimated forfeitures will be reassessed in subsequent periods and the estimate may change based on new facts and circumstances. Prior to January 1, 2006, actual forfeitures were included in pro forma stock compensation as they occurred.
(b) Other Awards
In January 2006, a management investor purchased 25,000 shares of common stock at a discount of $5.01 per share, or $125, pursuant to the investor’s Management Stockholder Agreement. The purchase was determined to be compensatory in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. The Company recognized $125 in employee compensation expense related to this purchase during the year ended December 31, 2006. The fair value of the common stock was determined to be $15.01 per share as of January 2006.
(c) Valuation of Equity Securities Issued as Compensation
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company recorded deferred share-based compensation, which consisted of the amounts by which the estimated fair value of the instrument underlying the grant exceeded the grant or exercise price, at the date of grant or other measurement date, if applicable and recognized the expense over the related service period. In determining the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the dates of grant prior to the IPO on October 25, 2006, GateHouse’s stock was not traded and, therefore, the Company was unable to rely on a public trading market for its stock prior to October 25, 2006.
On May 9, 2005, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC (“Parent”), FIF III Liberty Acquisitions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent and the Company entered into an agreement that provided for the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The Merger was completed on June 6, 2005. The Merger resulted in a new basis of accounting under SFAS No. 141.
The Company believes the Merger was on arms’ length terms and represented the fair value of its equity on June 6, 2005. In connection with the Merger, an appraisal of certain assets and liabilities was prepared by an unrelated valuation specialist and indicated a $10.00 fair value per share for the Company’s common stock on that date.
As the Company began the process of preparing for its IPO, it developed a preliminary valuation using a discounted cash flow approach as of July 2006. The Company prepared this valuation using an estimated revenue growth rate based upon advertising rate increases considering the consumer price index (“CPI”), implementation of additional on-line content and products and introduction of additional niche products. Additionally, the Company used an estimated annual EBITDA, (adjusted to exclude certain non-cash and non-recurring items), growth rate based upon increases in revenues, cost reductions from the integration of acquisitions and improvements in cost from clustering and centralized services.
The Company estimated that the fair value of its common stock was $15.01 per share based on a valuation using a discounted cash flow approach as of July 2006.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(2) Share-Based Compensation – (continued)
In preparing a discounted cash flow analysis, certain significant assumptions were made including:
| • | the rate of revenue growth, which is a function of, among other things, anticipated increases in advertising rates (CPI based), impacts of on-line strategy and the introduction of niche products; |
| • | the rate of the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA growth, which is a function of, among other things, anticipated revenues, cost reductions and synergies from the integration of CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC (see note 3(g)) and ongoing cost savings resulting from a clustering strategy; |
| • | estimated capital expenditures; |
| • | the discount rate of 7.8%, based on the Company’s capital structure as of July 2006, the cost of equity, based on a risk free rate of 5.0% and a market risk of premium of 7.0% and the Company’s cost of debt; and |
| • | a terminal multiple of between 9 and 10 times unlevered cash flow, based upon the Company’s anticipated growth prospects and private and public market valuations of comparable companies. The Company defines unlevered cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less interest expense, cash taxes and capital expenditures. |
The Company also considered the cash flow based trading multiples of comparable companies, including competitors and other similar publicly traded companies and sales transactions for comparable companies in its industry. Additionally, it considered the results of operations, market conditions, competitive position and the stock performance of these companies, as well as its financial forecasts, as updated, to develop its valuation. The Company determined the valuation performed by management to be the best available tool for projections of the final price range for purposes of valuing its stock-based compensation. The Company did not obtain contemporaneous valuations by unrelated valuation specialists at times other than the Merger valuation because: (i) the Company’s efforts were focused on, among other things, potential acquisitions and refinancing the Company and (ii) the Company did not consider it to be economic to incur costs for such valuations given the number of shares issued. The Company considered that it met its internal financial performance objectives as reflected in its valuation.
The Company retrospectively applied the valuation to share-based compensation relating to RSGs and common stock sales which occurred from January 2006 to May 2006. Therefore, the consolidated financial statements reflect this valuation for grants made prior to the Company’s IPO.
(3) Acquisitions
(a) Morris Publishing Group Newspaper Acquisitions — 2007
On November 30, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of thirty seven publications from the Morris Publishing Group for an aggregate purchase price, including working capital of approximately $121,402. The acquisition included fifteen daily and seven weekly newspapers, as well as fifteen shopper publications serving South Dakota, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The rationale for the acquisition was primarily due to the attractive nature of the community newspaper assets with stable revenues and cash flows combined with cost saving opportunities available by clustering with the Company’s nearby newspapers. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values. The results of operations for the Morris Publishing Group newspaper acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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Current assets | | $ | 9,422 | |
Other assets | | | 10,734 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 21,923 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 38,011 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 8,341 | |
Mastheads | | | 12,244 | |
Customer relationships | | | 3,659 | |
Goodwill | | | 21,653 | |
Total assets | | | 125,987 | |
Current liabilities | | | 4,526 | |
Long-term liabilities | | | 59 | |
Total liabilities | | | 4,585 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 121,402 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the subscriber relationships, advertiser relationships and customer relationships acquired in connection with the Morris Publishing Group newspaper acquisition. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 7.5% for advertiser relationships, subscriber relationships and customer relationships for the Morris Publishing Group newspaper acquisition. The growth rate was estimated to be 0.5% and the discount rate was estimated to be 10.0% for subscriber relationships. The growth rate was estimated to be 2.3% and the discount rate was estimated to be 10.0% for advertiser relationships. The growth rate was estimated to be 2.0% and the discount rate was estimated to be 10% for customer relationships.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 30 years which considers that a majority of the acquired newspapers have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories over 100 years. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber relationships, advertiser relationships and customer relationships are being amortized over 14, 15 and 15 years respectively, on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
For tax purposes, goodwill is deductible for the newspapers acquired from Morris Publishing Group as of December 31, 2007.
(b) Gannett Co., Inc. Newspaper Acquisitions — 2007
On May 7, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of thirteen publications from Gannett Co., Inc. for an aggregate purchase price, including working capital, of approximately $418,959. The acquisition included four daily and three weekly newspapers, as well as six shopper publications serving Rockford, Illinois, Utica, New York, Norwich, Connecticut and Huntington, West Virginia. The rationale for the acquisition was primarily due to the attractive nature of the community newspaper assets with stable revenues and cash flows combined with cost saving opportunities available by clustering with the Company’s nearby newspapers. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
values. The results of operations for the Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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Current assets | | $ | 14,153 | |
Other assets | | | 75,632 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 39,557 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 96,503 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 26,964 | |
Mastheads | | | 24,450 | |
Goodwill | | | 146,765 | |
Total assets | | | 424,024 | |
Total liabilities | | | 5,065 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 418,959 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper acquisition. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 7.0% for advertiser relationships and subscriber relationships for the Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper acquisition. Growth rates were estimated to be 2.5% and discount rates were estimated to be 8.5% for advertiser and subscriber relationships.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 30 years which considers that a majority of the acquired newspapers have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories over 100 years. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber and advertiser relationships are being amortized over 16 years, on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
For tax purposes, goodwill is deductible for the newspapers acquired from Gannett Co., Inc. as of December 31, 2007.
(c) The Copley Press, Inc. Newspaper Acquisitions — 2007
On April 11, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of fifteen publications from The Copley Press, Inc. for an aggregate purchase price, including working capital, of approximately $388,237. The acquisition included seven daily and two weekly newspapers as well as six shopper publications, serving areas of Ohio and Illinois. The rationale for the acquisition was primarily due to the attractive nature of the community newspaper assets with stable revenues and cash flows. In addition there were cost saving opportunities from margin improvement as well as clustering with the Company’s nearby newspapers. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities based upon their respective fair values. The results of operations for The Copley Press, Inc. newspaper acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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Current assets | | $ | 21,204 | |
Other assets | | | 18 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 64,906 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 95,466 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 40,083 | |
Mastheads | | | 34,719 | |
Goodwill | | | 169,463 | |
Total assets | | | 425,859 | |
Current liabilities | | | 15,680 | |
Long-term liabilities | | | 21,942 | |
Total liabilities | | | 37,622 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 388,237 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the Copley Press, Inc. newspaper acquisition. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 7.0% for advertiser relationships and subscriber relationships for the Copley Press, Inc. newspaper acquisition. Growth rates were estimated to be 2.5% and discount rates were estimated to be 10.0% for advertiser relationships and subscriber relationships.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 30 years which considers that a majority of the acquired newspapers have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories over 100 years. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber and advertiser relationships are being amortized over 15 years on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
For tax purposes, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $106,914 for the newspapers acquired from the Copley Press, Inc. as of December 31, 2007.
(d) SureWest Directories Acquisition — 2007
On February 28, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all the issued and outstanding capital stock of SureWest Directories from SureWest Communications for an aggregate purchase price, including working capital, of approximately $110,156. SureWest Directories is engaged in the business of publishing yellow page and white page directories, as well as internet yellow pages through the www.sacramento.com website. The Company has become the publisher of the official directory of SureWest Telephone. The acquisition of SureWest Directories is the Company’s platform acquisition into the local directories business. This was an attractive acquisition due to the stability and visibility of the businesses revenues and cash flows, minimal capital expenditure requirements and growth prospects for the Sacramento, California marketplace. The Company has accounted for this acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values. The results of operations for SureWest Directories have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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Current assets | | $ | 15,041 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 51 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 40,955 | |
Trade name | | | 5,493 | |
Publication rights | | | 345 | |
Goodwill | | | 48,454 | |
Total assets | | | 110,339 | |
Total liabilities | | | 183 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 110,156 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the SureWest Directories acquisition. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 12.0% for advertiser relationships for SureWest Directories. Growth rates were estimated to be 2.5% and the discount rate was estimated to be 11.0% for advertiser relationships.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 18 years which considers an attrition study which concluded that half of the existing advertiser base would be advertising in the Company’s directories after six years. Survival curves were calculated based on this and other relevant information which resulted in the 12% attrition rate. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the advertiser relationships are being amortized over 12 years, on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
For tax purposes, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $48,453 for SureWest Directories as of December 31, 2007.
(e) Journal Register Company Newspaper Acquisitions — 2007
On February 9, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of eight publications from the Journal Register Company for an aggregate purchase price, including working capital, of approximately $72,315. The acquisition included two daily and four weekly newspapers as well as two shopper publications serving southeastern Massachusetts. The rationale for the acquisition was primarily due to the attractive nature of the community newspaper assets with stable revenues and cash flows combined with the cost savings opportunities from clustering with the Company’s other newspapers serving Massachusetts. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values. The results of operations for the Journal Register Company newspaper acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill. The
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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Current assets | | $ | 2,614 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 7,159 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 27,268 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 6,397 | |
Mastheads | | | 4,393 | |
Goodwill | | | 25,301 | |
Total assets | | | 73,132 | |
Total liabilities | | | 817 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 72,315 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the Journal Register Company newspaper acquisition. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 7.0% for advertiser relationships and subscriber relationships for the Journal Register Company newspaper acquisitions. The growth rate was estimated to be 1.8% and the discount rate was estimated to be 10.0% for subscriber relationships. The growth rate was estimated to be 1.7% and the discount rate was estimated to be 10.0% for advertiser relationships.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 30 years which considers that a majority of the acquired newspapers have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories over 100 years. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber and advertiser relationships are being amortized over 16 years on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
For tax purposes, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $25,301 for the newspapers acquired from the Journal Register Company as of December 31, 2007.
(f) Other Acquisitions — 2007
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company acquired an additional 40 publications (excluding the acquisitions discussed above) for an aggregate purchase price of $27,595. These were all attractive tuck-in acquisitions, in which the acquired businesses fit in extremely well with existing GateHouse clusters. The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions are as follows:
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Current assets | | $ | 2,630 | |
Other assets | | | 225 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 5,683 | |
Noncompete agreements | | | 1,577 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 7,432 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 1,716 | |
Mastheads | | | 3,375 | |
Customer relationships | | | 967 | |
Goodwill | | | 8,429 | |
Total assets | | | 32,034 | |
Current liabilities | | | 2,520 | |
Long-term liabilities | | | 1,919 | |
Total liabilities | | | 4,439 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 27,595 | |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
The Company continues to refine the fair value estimates in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As additional information becomes available and as actual values vary from these estimates, the underlying assets and liabilities may need to be adjusted, thereby impacting intangible asset estimates, as well as goodwill.
(g) CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC Acquisitions — 2006
On June 6, 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets, and assumed certain liabilities of CP Media for $232,024 and acquired all of the equity interests of Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC for $194,083 (the “Massachusetts Acquisitions”). CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC are two leading publishers of daily and weekly newspapers in eastern Massachusetts. The rationale for the Massachusetts Acquisitions was primarily due to the attractive community newspaper assets with stable cash flows, the combination of the two companies that creates operational upside and cost savings and economies of scale for advertising, sales, operating costs and existing infrastructure leverage. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the cost of each acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values. The results of operations for CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date they were acquired.
Upon the acquisition of Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, the Company recorded deferred taxes based upon its best estimate of the tax basis of assets and liabilities acquired. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company updated its forecasted schedule of future reversals of taxable temporary differences, an adjustment was applied as an increase to the balance of goodwill attributable to the acquisition.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date adjusted through December 31, 2007:
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| | CP Media | | Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC |
Current assets | | $ | 12,469 | | | $ | 24,127 | |
Other assets | | | — | | | | 107 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 19,055 | | | | 22,435 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 76,194 | | | | 52,846 | |
Noncompete agreements | | | — | | | | 986 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 10,781 | | | | 22,339 | |
Mastheads | | | 13,214 | | | | 10,146 | |
Goodwill | | | 111,243 | | | | 117,342 | |
Total assets | | | 242,956 | | | | 250,328 | |
Current liabilities | | | 10,421 | | | | 7,656 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 511 | | | | 13,671 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | — | | | | 34,918 | |
Total liabilities | | | 10,932 | | | | 56,245 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 232,024 | | | $ | 194,083 | |
The Company obtained third party independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships acquired in connection with the CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC acquisitions. The appraisals used an excess earnings approach, a form of the income approach, which values assets based upon associated estimated discounted cash flows. A static pool approach using historical attrition rates was used to estimate attrition rates of 10% and 6.0% for advertiser relationships and 4.0% and 6.0% to 8.0% for subscriber relationships for CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, respectively. Growth rates were estimated to be 0% and 0.5% and the discount rate was estimated to be 8.5% and
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
9.0% for subscriber relationships for CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, respectively. Growth rates were estimated to be 2.5% and 3.0% and the discount rate was estimated to be 8.5% and 9.0% for advertiser relationships for CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, respectively.
Estimated cash flows extend up to periods of approximately 32 years which considers that a majority of the acquired newspapers have been in existence over 50 years with many having histories over 100 years for both CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC. The Company is amortizing the fair values of the subscriber and advertiser relationships over the periods at which 90% of the cumulative net cash flows are estimated to be realized. Therefore, the subscriber and advertiser relationships are being amortized over 18 and 15 years and 14 to 16 and 18 years for CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, respectively, on a straight-line basis as no other discernable pattern of usage was more readily determinable.
The fair value of non-compete agreements was determined using the “damages method” under the income approach method of valuation. Non-compete agreements in the Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC acquisition were valued at $986 and are being amortized over two years on a straight-line basis. There were no non-compete agreements in the CP Media acquisition.
For tax purposes, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $111,243 for CP Media as of December 31, 2007.
(h) Other Acquisitions — 2006
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company acquired nine publications (excluding the Acquisitions discussed above) for an aggregate purchase price of $11,752. The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is as follows:
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Net tangible assets acquired | | $ | 734 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 2,856 | |
Noncompete agreements | | | 368 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 1,857 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 232 | |
Mastheads | | | 549 | |
Customer lists | | | 2,064 | |
Goodwill | | | 3,092 | |
Purchase price | | $ | 11,752 | |
(i) Fortress Acquisition — 2005
On May 9, 2005, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC (“Parent”), FIF III Liberty Acquisitions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Subsidiary”) and the Company entered into an agreement that provided for the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“the Merger”). The Merger was completed on June 6, 2005. The total value of the transaction was approximately $527,000. The rationale for the Merger was primarily due to the Company’s attractive community newspaper assets with stable cash flow.
In connection with the Merger, the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of its common stock, par value $0.01, were converted into the right to receive $10.00 per share in cash (“Conversion Amount”), or $21,588 in the aggregate. Additionally, each share of Series B-1 Senior Preferred stock issued and outstanding at the time of the Merger was converted, without interest, into $1,000 per share, or $115,821 in the aggregate, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends of $3,182. Each share of Series B Junior Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the Merger was converted, without interest, into $115.56 per share, or $15,317 in aggregate, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends of $0. Parent and certain management investors contributed approximately $221,975 in cash to the Company, which in turn held all the outstanding shares of common
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(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
stock of the Company after the completion of the Merger. The Company amended its 2005 Credit Facility to allow for a change in control and borrowed $33,500 on the revolving credit facility in connection with the Merger. The predecessor Company incurred approximately $7,703 in transaction costs associated with the Merger.
Each outstanding option under the Company’s Option Plan was cancelled for cash consideration per share equal to the difference between the conversion amount of $0.10 per share and the respective exercise price of the option, or $93 in the aggregate. Additionally, all shares of the Company’s treasury stock outstanding were cancelled in conjunction with the Merger.
The aggregate purchase price paid in the Merger transaction of $526,841 consisted of the following:
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Payment for common stock | | $ | 21,588 | |
Assumption of Term Loan B | | | 276,500 | |
Assumption of preferred stock | | | 134,321 | |
Assumption of senior debentures | | | 90,329 | |
Payment of fees and expenses | | | 1,759 | |
Payment of working capital settlement | | | 2,344 | |
| | $ | 526,841 | |
The Merger was recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 141. Upon closing of the Merger, a third party independent analysis was performed to estimate the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Portions of the cost were assigned to tangible assets and identifiable and separately recognized intangible assets, based on the fair values of the individual assets. The cost of the acquisition exceeded the fair value of the identifiable assets less the liabilities assumed, which resulted in the excess recognized as goodwill. The fair values of subscriber and advertiser intangible assets was determined using an income approach, the mastheads fair value was determined using a market approach and the valuation of real estate was determined using a sales comparison approach. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
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Current assets | | $ | 249,309 | |
Other assets | | | 364 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 58,022 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 125,356 | |
Customer relationships | | | 2,308 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 29,047 | |
Mastheads | | | 58,402 | |
Goodwill | | | 280,466 | |
Total assets | | | 803,274 | |
Current liabilities | | | 28,282 | |
New Term Loan B | | | 276,500 | |
Senior debentures | | | 90,329 | |
Senior preferred stock | | | 119,003 | |
Junior preferred stock | | | 15,318 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 488 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 51,379 | |
Total liabilities | | | 581,299 | |
Net assets acquired | | $ | 221,975 | |
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(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
(j) Other Acquisitions — 2005
During the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Company acquired 18 publications in five separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $15,381. The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is as follows:
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Net tangible assets acquired | | $ | 307 | |
Property, plant, and equipment | | | 3,265 | |
Non-compete assets | | | 221 | |
Advertising relationships | | | 4,035 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 899 | |
Mastheads | | | 1,947 | |
Goodwill | | | 4,707 | |
Purchase price | | $ | 15,381 | |
(k) Restructuring
As of December 31, 2007, the accrued restructuring balance was $991, which relates to on-going obligations for employee termination agreements in connection with the acquisition of the Morris Publishing Group newspapers, The Copley Press, Inc. newspapers, as well as the acquisitions of Messenger Post and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company made payments of $892 in connection with these obligations.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, restructuring related expense, which is included in integration and reorganization costs and management fees paid to prior owner on the accompanying statement of operations was $1,639. This amount relates to severance expense incurred in connection with the closing of two of the Company’s printing facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company made payments of $1,238 connection with these obligations.
(l) Pro-Forma Results
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations information for 2007, set forth below, presents the results of operations as if the acquisitions of the newspapers from The Copley Press, Inc. and the newspapers from Gannett Co., Inc. had occurred on January 1, 2006. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations information for 2006, set forth below, presents the results of operations as if the acquisitions of the newspapers from The Copley Press, Inc., the newspapers from Gannett Co., Inc. and the acquisitions of CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC had occurred on January 1, 2006. These amounts are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual results that would have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of such period. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations data, set forth below, does not give pro forma effect to the following acquisitions which are not considered significant:
| • | the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding capital stock of SureWest Directories from SureWest Communications for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,156 in February of 2007; |
| • | the acquisition of eight publications from the Journal Register Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $72,315 in February of 2007; and |
| • | the acquisition of thirty eight publications from Morris Publishing Group for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $121,402 in November, 2007. |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(3) Acquisitions – (continued)
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
Revenues | | $ | 661,865 | | | $ | 643,854 | |
Net loss from continuing operations | | | (240,732 | ) | | $ | (28,938 | ) |
Net loss | | | (238,325 | ) | | $ | (28,938 | ) |
Net loss per common share
| | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | (5.14 | ) | | $ | (0.59) | |
Diluted | | $ | (5.14 | ) | | $ | (0.59 | ) |
(4) Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
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| | December 31, |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
Land | | $ | 20,917 | | | $ | 19,449 | |
Buildings and improvements | | | 89,887 | | | | 40,147 | |
Machinery and equipment | | | 114,529 | | | | 42,352 | |
Furniture, fixtures, and computer software | | | 13,738 | | | | 6,937 | |
Construction in progress | | | 1,735 | | | | 710 | |
| | | 240,806 | | | | 109,595 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | (30,597 | ) | | | (11,224 | ) |
Total | | $ | 210,209 | | | $ | 98,371 | |
Depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 was $19,859, $8,710, $2,919 and $2,150, respectively.
(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets consisted of the following:
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| | December 31, 2007 |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount |
Amortized intangible assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noncompete agreements | | $ | 3,172 | | | $ | 1,295 | | | $ | 1,877 | |
Advertiser relationships | | | 565,663 | | | | 45,097 | | | | 520,566 | |
Customer relationships | | | 6,689 | | | | 383 | | | | 6,306 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 146,751 | | | | 10,859 | | | | 135,892 | |
Trade name | | | 5,493 | | | | 458 | | | | 5,035 | |
Publication rights | | | 345 | | | | 19 | | | | 326 | |
Total | | $ | 728,113 | | | $ | 58,111 | | | $ | 670,002 | |
Nonamortized intangible assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goodwill | | $ | 701,852 | | | | | | | | | |
Mastheads | | | 138,792 | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 840,644 | | | | | | | | | |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – (continued)
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| | December 31, 2006 |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount |
Amortized intangible assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noncompete agreements | | $ | 1,595 | | | $ | 401 | | | $ | 1,194 | |
Advertiser relationships | | | 260,191 | | | | 15,986 | | | | 244,205 | |
Customer relationships | | | 2,064 | | | | 127 | | | | 1,937 | |
Subscriber relationships | | | 63,290 | | | | 3,732 | | | | 59,558 | |
Total | | $ | 327,140 | | | $ | 20,246 | | | $ | 306,894 | |
Nonamortized intangible assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goodwill | | $ | 480,430 | | | | | | | | | |
Mastheads | | | 84,202 | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 564,632 | | | | | | | | | |
The weighted average amortization periods for amortizable intangible assets are 4.1 years for noncompete agreements, 15.0 years for advertiser relationships, 13.9 years for customer relationships, 16.4 years for subscriber relationships, 10.0 years for trade names and 15.0 years for publication rights.
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 was $37,891, $15,341, $5,111 and $3,626, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense as of December 31, 2007, is as follows:
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For the year ending December 31:
| | | | |
2008 | | $ | 46,599 | |
2009 | | | 46,381 | |
2010 | | | 46,345 | |
2011 | | | 46,262 | |
2012 | | | 46,005 | |
Thereafter | | | 438,410 | |
Total | | $ | 670,002 | |
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
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Balance at January 1, 2006 (Successor) | | $ | 316,691 | |
Goodwill from acquisitions | | | 232,395 | |
Adjustment related to income tax valuation allowance | | | (32,430 | ) |
Purchase accounting tax adjustment | | | (36,226 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2006 (Successor) | | | 480,430 | |
Goodwill from acquisitions | | | 422,901 | |
Goodwill impairment | | | (201,479 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2007 (Successor) | | $ | 701,852 | |
Goodwill from acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2007 relates primarily to the newspapers acquired from Morris Publishing Group, the Copley Press, Inc. and Gannett Co. Inc., the acquisition of SureWest Directories and the newspapers acquired from the Journal Register Company.
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(In thousands, except share data)
(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – (continued)
Goodwill from acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2006, relates primarily to CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC.
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, goodwill in the amount of $622,913 and $182,364, respectively was deductible for income tax purposes.
The Company revised its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to a purchase accounting tax adjustment identified in the current year. The Company overstated both its deferred tax liability and goodwill balances as of December 31, 2006 primarily related to deferred taxes being calculated on tax deductible goodwill as part of the Merger. The result was a decrease of previously reported deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately $36,226 as of December 31, 2006. This adjustment relates entirely to acquisition deferred taxes and, as such, there is no impact on previously reported income tax expense or net income.
The Company’s date on which its annual impairment assessment is made is June 30. There were no impairments in 2006 or 2005 related to goodwill.
The Company determined that it should perform impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2007, due to the Company’s stock price as of the end of its fourth quarter.
The fair values of the Company’s reporting units for goodwill impairment testing and individual newspaper mastheads were estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows, recent industry transaction multiples and using estimates, judgments and assumptions that management believes were appropriate in the circumstances.
The sum of the fair values of the reporting units was reconciled to the Company’s current market capitalization (based upon the stock market price) plus an estimated control premium. The Company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill of $201,479 and a newspaper masthead impairment charge of $24,514 in the fourth quarter of 2007 based on this comparison of reporting unit carrying value to fair value.
(6) Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
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| | December 31, |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
Accrued payroll | | $ | 8,638 | | | $ | 5,024 | |
Accrued bonus | | | 2,697 | | | | 2,123 | |
Accrued vacation | | | 4,373 | | | | 959 | |
Accrued insurance | | | 3,411 | | | | 2,214 | |
Accrued newsprint | | | 1,497 | | | | 1,740 | |
Accrued other | | | 20,056 | | | | 6,107 | |
| | $ | 40,672 | | | $ | 18,167 | |
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(In thousands, except share data)
(7) Lease Commitments
The future minimum lease payments related to the Company’s non-cancelable operating lease commitments as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:
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For the year ending December 31:
| | | | |
2008 | | $ | 5,340 | |
2009 | | | 4,782 | |
2010 | | | 4,181 | |
2011 | | | 2,159 | |
2012 | | | 1,916 | |
Thereafter | | | 5,227 | |
Total minimum lease payments | | $ | 23,605 | |
Future minimum operating lease payments have not been reduced by future minimum sublease income of $1,838.
Rental expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, was $4,888, $2,855, $439 and $365, respectively.
(8) Senior Subordinated Notes, Senior Discount Debentures, and Senior Debentures
The acquisition of 166 newspapers in January 1998 was financed in part by: (i) $180,000 from the issuance and sale by the Operating Company of $180,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (“the Notes”) due February 1, 2008 and (ii) $50,521 from the issuance and sale by GateHouse of $89,000 aggregate principal amount of 11 5/8% Senior Discount Debentures (“the Senior Discount Debentures”) due February 1, 2009.
The Notes were general unsecured obligations of the Operating Company, and were irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally guaranteed by each of the Operating Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. As of February 1, 2003, the Notes were redeemable for cash at the option of the Operating Company at stipulated redemption amounts. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Notes) of the Operating Company or the Company, the Company was required to offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount.
The Senior Discount Debentures issued by GateHouse were general unsecured obligations. The Senior Discount Debentures accreted to a full principal amount of $89,000 as of February 1, 2003. Thereafter, cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures accrued and was payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year. As of February 1, 2003, the Senor Discount Debentures were redeemable for cash at the option of GateHouse at stipulated redemption amounts. In the event of a change in control of GateHouse, and subject to certain conditions, the holders of the Senior Discount Debentures had the right to require GateHouse to repurchase all of the Senior Discount Debentures at a price of 101% of the principal amount at maturity thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.
On December 17, 2001, Green Equity Investors II, L.P (“GEI II”) and Green Equity Investors III, L.P. (“GEI III”) purchased Senior Discount Debentures with a face value of $11,819 and $57,381, respectively, on the open market at a substantial discount. GEI II and GEI III are affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners. At December 31, 2004, Leonard Green & Partners owned 194,660,500 and 13,153 shares of GateHouse’s common stock and Junior Preferred Stock, respectively. Leonard Green & Partners affiliates also owned a substantial portion of GateHouse’s Senior Preferred Stock. The purchase of Senior Discount Debentures by GEI II and GEI III resulted in a cancellation and reissuance of indebtedness for Federal income tax purposes.
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(In thousands, except share data)
(8) Senior Subordinated Notes, Senior Discount Debentures, and Senior Debentures – (continued)
On July 25, 2003, the Operating Company and GateHouse entered into an amendment to the Amended Credit Facility (see note 9). The amendment permitted GateHouse to issue debt in lieu of paying cash for the interest due on the Senior Discount Debentures, and to issue debt in lieu of paying cash interest due on the additional debt that was issued in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures.
On July 30, 2003, GateHouse entered into an agreement, effective August 1, 2003, with GEI II and GEI III, whereby GateHouse may, at its option, issue 11 5/8% senior debentures (“the Senior Debentures”) to GEI II and GEI III on each interest payment date of the Senior Discount Debentures, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures that were owned by GEI II and GEI III, with an aggregate initial principal amount equal to the amount of cash interest otherwise payable on such interest payment date under the terms of the Senior Discount Debentures. In addition, GateHouse may, at its option, issue additional Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III on each interest payment date of the Senior Debentures, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Debentures that are owned by GEI II and GEI III, with an aggregate initial principal amount equal to the amount of cash interest otherwise payable on such interest payment date under the terms of the Senior Debentures. As a result of these agreements, interest due on the Senior Discount Debentures, including the additional Senior Debentures, had been reflected as a long-term liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
On August 1, 2003, GateHouse elected to issue Senior Debentures in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures that were owned by GEII II and GEI III. In conjunction with its election, LGP issued Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in the amount of $687 and $3,335, respectively, which accrued interest at an annual rate of 11 5/8% and would become payable on February 1, 2009.
On February 1, 2004, GateHouse issued Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in the amount of $727 and $3,529, respectively, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures and the Senior Debentures that were owned by GEI II and GEI III.
On August 1, 2004, GateHouse issued Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in the amount of $769 and $3,734, respectively, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures and the Senior Debentures that were owned by GEI II and GEI III.
On February 1, 2005, GateHouse issued Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in the amount of $814 and $3,951, respectively, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures and the Senior Debentures that were owned by GEI II and GEI III.
As described below, on February 28, 2005, Green Equity received $87,503 in aggregate principal amount of New Senior Debentures pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreements (see note 12). The New Senior Debentures were general unsecured obligations of GateHouse, and were structurally subordinated in right of payment to indebtedness under the 2005 Credit Facility. The New Senior Debentures were scheduled to mature in March 2013. Interest was scheduled to accrue from the date of issuance and is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing September 1, 2005. In accordance with an agreement between Green Equity and GateHouse, GateHouse was permitted to issue additional New Senior Debentures in lieu of cash interest (in an aggregate initial principal amount equal to the amount of cash interest otherwise payable on such interest payment date).
The New Senior Debentures were subject to redemption, at the option of GateHouse, in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Senior Debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. Upon a Change of Control, and subject to certain conditions, the holders of the New Senior Debentures had the right to require GateHouse to repurchase all of the New Senior Debentures at a price of 101% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.
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(8) Senior Subordinated Notes, Senior Discount Debentures, and Senior Debentures – (continued)
On February 28, 2005, upon consummation of the debenture exchange and the initial draw down under the 2005 Credit Facility described below, GateHouse irrevocably called for redemption all of the outstanding Senior Discount Debentures in accordance with the Indenture for the Senior Discount Debentures (the “SDD Indenture”). Immediately following GateHouse’s call for redemption of the Senior Discount Debentures, GateHouse irrevocably deposited trust funds with U.S. Bank, the trustee, in an amount sufficient to pay the redemption price for the Senior Discount Debentures in full, thereby satisfying and discharging the SDD Indenture. The redemption price consisted of 101.938% of the $19,800 aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to March 30, 2005, collectively, $20,561. Included in the $521 loss on extinguishment is $137 of deferred finance fees written off.
On February 28, 2005, upon consummation of the preferred stock exchange and satisfaction and discharge of the SDD Indenture, Operating Company irrevocably called for redemption all of the outstanding 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Indenture for the Senior Subordinated Notes (“the SSN Indenture”).
On March 29, 2005, Operating Company borrowed $180,000 principal amount of the Term Loan B under the 2005 Credit Facility. On March 30, 2005, Operating Company used such proceeds, together with cash on hand, to redeem in full all of the outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the SSN Indenture. The redemption price consisted of 101.563% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to March 30, 2005, collectively, $185,579. Included in the $4,479 loss on extinguishment is $1,666 of deferred finance fees written off.
On June 7, 2005, the Company repaid in full all of its obligations under the New Senior Debentures. The Company used funds drawn of the 2005 Credit Facility to make the requisite termination payment of $90,329.
(9) Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Note Payable
On February 28, 2005, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions led by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “2005 Credit Facility”). The 2005 Credit Facility provided for a $280,000 principal amount term loan facility that matured in February 2012 and a $50,000 revolving credit facility with a $10,000 sub-facility for letters of credit that matured in February 2011. The 2005 Credit Facility was secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.
All amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Facility were repaid with borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility, as described below. In connection with the termination of the 2005 Credit Facility, the Company wrote off $702 of deferred financing costs.
In connection with the Company’s acquisitions of CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC, on June 6, 2006 GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“Holdco”), GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., a subsidiary of Holdco (“Operating”) and certain of the Company’s other direct and indirect subsidiaries (together, the “Borrower”) entered into a financial arrangement with Wachovia Bank, National Association (the “2006 Credit Facility”). The 2006 Credit Facility consisted of a First Lien Credit Agreement (the “First Lien Facility”) and a Secured Bridge Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Facility”). The First Lien Facility, which was amended on each of June 21, 2006 and October 11, 2006, provided for a $570,000 term loan facility which matured on December 6, 2013 and a $40,000 revolving credit facility including a $15,000 sub-facility for letters of credit, that matured on June 6, 2013. The Second Lien Facility provided for a $152,000 term loan facility that matured on June 6, 2014. The 2006 Credit Facility was secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all of the equity ownership or profits interest of Operating and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (ii) substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of Holdco, Operating and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries. The obligations of the Borrower under the 2006 Credit Facility were guaranteed by Holdco, Operating and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries.
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(9) Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Note Payable – (continued)
Borrowings under the First Lien Facility bore interest, at the Borrower’s option, at a rate equal either to the LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate (each as defined in the First Lien Facility), in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Rate term loans and Alternate Base Rate term loans was fixed at 2.25% and 1.25%, respectively. The applicable margin for revolving loans was adjusted quarterly based upon Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the First Lien Facility) and ranged from 1.5% to 2.0% in the case of LIBOR Rate loans and 0.5% to 1.0% in the case of Alternate Base Rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.5% on unused revolving credit availability based on the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the First Lien Facility), and a quarterly fee equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Rate loans on the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit were also payable under the First Lien Facility.
Borrowings under the Second Lien Facility bore interest, at the Borrower’s option, at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Rate term loans and Alternate Base Rate term loans under the Second Lien Facility was fixed at 1.5% and 0.5%, respectively.
No principal payments were due on the term loan or the revolving credit portions of the 2006 Credit Facility until the applicable maturity date. However, the Borrower was required to prepay borrowings under the term loan facility in an amount equal to 50% of Holdco’s Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the First Lien Facility), except that no prepayments were required if Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the First Lien Facility) was less than or equal to 6.0 to 1.0 at the end of any fiscal year. In addition, the Borrower was required to prepay borrowings under the term loan portion of the 2006 Credit Facility with certain asset disposition proceeds, cash insurance proceeds and condemnation or expropriation awards. The Borrower was also required to prepay borrowings with 50% of the net proceeds of certain equity issuances or 100% of the proceeds of certain debt issuances, except that no prepayment was required if Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio was less than 6.0 to 1.0. The 2006 Credit Facility also contained financial covenants that required Holdco to satisfy specified quarterly financial tests and which also contained customary covenants and events of default.
In October 2006, using a portion of the proceeds from the Company’s IPO, the Borrower repaid in full and terminated the $152,000 Second Lien Facility. In addition, a portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s IPO was used to pay down $12,000 of the $570,000 then outstanding under the First Lien Facility, and to repay in full the the outstanding balance of $21,300 under the $40,000 revolving credit portion of the First Lien Facility.
In connection with the termination of the $152,000 Second Lien Facility and the $12,000 reduction in borrowing capacity on the First Lien Facility, the Company wrote off $1,384 of deferred financing costs.
On February 27, 2007, the Borrower amended and restated the 2006 Credit Agreement (as amended, the “2007 Credit Facility”). The 2007 Credit Facility provides for a $670,000 term loan facility which matures in August 2014 and a $40,000 revolving credit facility including a $15,000 sub-facility for letters of credit and a $10,000 swingline facility which matures in February 2014. Under the 2007 Credit Facility, up to an additional $250,000 was available until August 2007 for borrowing under a delayed draw term loan.
The 2007 Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all of the present and future equity ownership or profits interest of Operating and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, (ii) 66% of the voting stock (and 100% of the nonvoting stock) of certain present and future foreign subsidiaries and (iii) substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of Holdco, Operating and their respective present and future subsidiaries. In addition, the loans and other obligations of the Borrower under the 2007 Credit Facility are guaranteed by Holdco, Operating and their present and future direct and indirect subsidiaries.
No principal payments are due on the term or the revolving credit portions of the 2007 Credit Facility until the applicable maturity date. However, the Borrower is required to make prepayments under the term
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(9) Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Note Payable – (continued)
loan facility, and/or to collateralize letter of credit obligations, under specified conditions, from excess cash flow and from the proceeds of asset dispositions, issuances of debt and equity and insurance and condemnation awards.
Borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility bear interest, at the Borrower’s option, at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate (each as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for revolving loans under the 2007 Credit Facility is adjusted quarterly based upon Holdco’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility). The applicable margin for revolving loans ranges from 1.50% to 2.00% in the case of LIBOR Rate loans and 0.50% to 1.00% in the case of Alternate Base Rate loans. Prior to the consummation of the First Amendment, as discussed below, the applicable margin for LIBOR Rate term loans and Alternate Base Rate term loans was 1.75% and 0.75%, respectively, if credit ratings for the 2007 Credit Facility from Moody’s Investors Service Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services were at least B1 and B+, respectively, and otherwise was 2.00% and 1.00%, respectively. A quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.25% and 0.5% of the unused portion of the revolving loan facility based on the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility), and a quarterly fee equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Rate loans on the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit are also payable under the 2007 Credit Facility.
The 2007 Credit Facility contains a financial covenant which requires Holdco to maintain a Total Leverage Ratio of less than or equal to 6.5 to 1.0 at any time an extension of credit is outstanding under the revolving credit portion of the facility. The 2007 Credit Facility also contains covenants customarily found in loan agreements for similar transactions, including restrictions on the Borrower’s ability to incur indebtedness (which is generally permitted so long as Holdco maintains a pro forma Total Leverage Ratio of less than 6.5 to 1.0), create liens on assets, engage in certain lines of business, engage in mergers or consolidations, dispose of assets, make investments or acquisitions, engage in transactions with affiliates, enter into sale leaseback transactions, enter into negative pledges or pay dividends or make other restricted payments (except that Holdco is permitted to (i) make restricted payments (including quarterly dividends) so long as, after giving effect to any such restricted payment, Holdco’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility) is equal to or greater than 1.0 to 1.0 and it would be permitted under the 2007 Credit Facility to incur an additional $1.00 of debt) and (ii) make restricted payments of proceeds of asset dispositions to the Company to the extent such proceeds are not required to prepay borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility and/or cash collateralize letter of credit obligations, provided that such proceeds are used to prepay borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities used to finance acquisitions). The Borrower, in certain limited circumstances, may also designate subsidiaries as “unrestricted subsidiaries” which are not subject to the covenant restrictions in the 2007 Credit Facility. The 2007 Credit Facility contains customary events of default. The Company is in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2007.
On April 11, 2007, the Company entered into a Bridge Facility with Wachovia Investment Holdings, LLC acting as administrative agent (the “Bridge Facility”). The Bridge Facility, which was repaid by the Company in full in July 2007, provided for a $300,000 term loan facility that matured on April 11, 2015. Borrowings under the Bridge Facility bore interest, at the Company’s option, at a floating rate equal to the LIBOR Rate or the Base Rate (each as defined in the Bridge Facility), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Rate term loans and Base Rate term loans was 1.50% and 0.50%, respectively. The Bridge Facility was secured by a first priority interest in all of the capital stock of Holdco owned by the Company and contained customary covenants and events or default.
In connection with its repayment of the Bridge Facility, the Company wrote off $2,240 of deferred financing costs.
On May 7, 2007, the Borrower amended the 2007 Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment provided for a $275,000 incremental increase in the term loan
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(9) Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Note Payable – (continued)
available under the 2007 Credit Facility pursuant to an Incemental Term Facility. The $275,000 incremental term loan facility matures in August 2014. Pursuant to the First Amendment, the applicable margin for the initial $670,000 term loan facility under the 2007 Credit Facility was increased to 2.00% for LIBOR Rate term loans and 1.00% for Alternate Base Rate term loans, which margin is not adjustable based upon Borrower’s credit rating. Interest on the incremental term loan portion of the 2007 Credit Facility accrues, at the option of the Borrower, at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Rate incremental term loans and Alternate Base Rate incremental term loans is (i) 2.00% and 1.00%, respectively, if the corporate family ratings and corporate credit ratings of Operating by Moody’s Investor Service Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, are at least B1 and B+, respectively, in each case with stable outlook, or (ii) 2.25% and 1.75% otherwise. The First Amendment also provides that term loans under the 2007 Credit Facility are also subject to a “most favored nation” interest provision that (i) increases the interest rate margin to a rate that is 0.25% less than the highest margin of any future incremental term loan borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility and (ii) provides that after any such increase, no reductions in the margin based on credit ratings will be permitted. Any voluntary or mandatory repayment of the First Amendment term loans made with the proceeds of a new term loan entered into for the primary purpose of benefiting from a margin that is less than the margin applicable as a result of the First Amendment are subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium.
As of December 31, 2007, a total of $670,000, $250,000, $275,000 and $11,000 was outstanding under the term loan facility, the delayed draw term loan, the incremental term loan facility and the revolving credit facility portions of the 2007 Credit Facility, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had availability under the revolving Credit Facility of approximately $23,800.
In connection with the acquisition of Morris Publishing Group, the Company commited to pay a portion of the purchase price under a $10,000 promissory note. The note is due on November 30, 2008 and bears interest at the rate of 8% per annum, payable on February 28, 2008, May 30, 2008, August 30, 2008, and November 30, 2008.
(10) Derivative Instruments
The Company uses certain derivative financial instruments to hedge the aggregate risk of interest rate fluctuations with respect to its long-term debt, which requires payments based on a variable interest rate index. These risks include: increases in debt rates above the earnings of the encumbered assets, increases in debt rates resulting in the failure of certain debt ratio covenants, increases in debt rates such that assets can no longer be refinanced, and earnings volatility.
In order to reduce such risks, the Company primarily uses interest rate swap agreements to change floating-rate long term debt to fixed-rate long-term debt. This type of hedge is intended to qualify as a “cash-flow hedge” under SFAS No. 133. For these instruments, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and recognized in the Statement of Operations in the same period in which the hedged transaction impacts earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is immediately recognized in earnings.
On June 23, 2005, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $300,000 maturing June 2012 as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 4.135%, with settlements occurring monthly. At December 31, 2005, the hedge was deemed ineffective, and accordingly, the fair value of the derivative was recognized through current earnings. As of December 31, 2005, the total change in the fair value of the derivative recognized in current period earnings was a gain of $10,807. For the period from January 1, 2006 through February 19, 2006, the hedge was deemed ineffective and, as a result, the change in
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(10) Derivative Instruments – (continued)
the fair value of the derivative of $2,605 was recognized through earnings. On February 20, 2006, the Company redesignated the same interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. The fair value of the swap decreased by $1,082, net, of which $(1,472) was recognized through earnings and a $234 increase in fair value net of income taxes of $156 was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2006, the swap no longer qualified as an effective hedge. Therefore, the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings over the life of the hedged item. On January 1, 2007, the Company redesignated the same interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the fair value of the swap decreased by $14,276, net, of which $1,758 was recognized through earnings and a $7,618 decrease in fair value net of income taxes of $4,900 was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2007, $41 net of taxes of $27 was amortized and recognized through earnings relating to the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2006. The estimated amount to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months is $68.
In connection with the 2006 Financing, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $270,000 maturing July 2011 as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 5.359%, with settlements occurring monthly. On December 31, 2006, the swap was dedesignated and was redesignated on January 1, 2007. Therefore, the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings over the life of the hedged item. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the effective portion of the decrease in fair value of the swap of $5,695 net of income taxes of $3,664 was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2007, $240 net of taxes of $160 was amortized and recognized through earnings relating to the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2006. The estimated amount to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months is $1,275.
In connection with the 2007 Credit Facility, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $100,000 maturing September 2014, as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one-month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 5.14%, with settlements occurring monthly. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the fair value of the swap decreased by $5,206, net, of which $32 was recognized through earnings and a $3,148 decrease in fair value net of income taxes of $2,026, was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income.
In connection with the 2007 Credit Facility, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $250,000 maturing September 2014, as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one-month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 4.971%, with settlements occurring monthly. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the fair value of the swap decreased by $10,520, net, of which $88 was recognized through earnings and a $6,348 decrease in fair value, net of income taxes of $4,084, was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income.
In connection with the First Amendment to the 2007 Credit Facility, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $200,000 maturing September 2014, as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one-month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 5.079% with settlements occurring monthly. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the fair value of the swap decreased by $9,692, net, of which $131 was recognized through earnings and a $5,818 decrease in fair value, net of income taxes of $3,743 was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income.
During September, 2007, the Company entered into and designated an interest rate swap based on a notional amount of $75,000 maturing September 2014, as a cash flow hedge. Under the swap agreement, the Company receives interest equivalent to one-month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 4.941% with settlements
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(10) Derivative Instruments – (continued)
occurring monthly. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the fair value of the swap decreased by $3,020, net, of which $38 was recognized through earnings and a $1,815 decrease in fair value, net of income taxes of $1,167 was recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income.
A valuation allowance was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2007 to offset the additional deferred tax assets established as a result of the change in fair value of the swap instruments in the amount of $18,521 for a net tax effect of $930.
(11) Capital Stock
On October 5, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 100-for-1 split of common stock which was effected prior to the IPO. The Board of Directors also approved the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to increase the authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock to 150,000,000 and 50,000,000, respectively, prior to the IPO. All share and per share data have been retroactively restated to reflect the split and increase in authorized shares.
(12) Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2005, GateHouse had the authority to issue up to 23,905,000 shares of capital stock, of which 21,250,000 shares were designated as preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 2,655,000 shares were designated as common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
On February 28, 2005, GateHouse entered into Securities Exchange Agreements with each of GEI II and GEI III (together, “Green Equity”). In connection with the Securities Exchange Agreements, the parties exchanged the following securities on February 28, 2005:
Debenture Exchange. Green Equity exchanged (1) (a) $69,200 in aggregate principal amount of GateHouse’s 11 5/8% Senior Discount Debentures due 2009, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to February 27, 2005 of $603, and (ii) $17,547 in aggregate principal amount of GateHouse’s 11 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2009, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to February 27, 2005 of $153, for (2) $87,503 in aggregate principal amount of GateHouse’s 11 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2013 (the New Senior Debentures). The terms of the New Senior Debentures are described below.
Preferred Stock Exchange. Green Equity exchanged (1) 4,521,022 shares of GateHouse’s Series A 14¾% Senior Redeemable Exchangeable Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation value $25 per share (the Series A Senior Preferred Stock), plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to February 27, 2005, of $1,250, for (2) an aggregate of 114,277 shares of GateHouse’s Series B-1 14¾% Senior Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock, with an initial liquidation value of $1,000 per share (the Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock). The terms of the Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock are described below.
The Company accounted for the debenture exchange and the preferred stock exchange in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-19,Debtor’s Accounting for a Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments and SFAS No. 150,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. The Company determined that the debt was not considered to be substantially modified, and accordingly, the Company did not recognize a gain or loss on either exchange.
On February 28, 2005, upon consummation of the preferred stock exchange and satisfaction and discharge of the SDD Indenture, GateHouse irrevocably called for redemption all of the outstanding shares of Series A Senior Preferred Stock in accordance with the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Senior Preferred Stock. The initial draw down under the 2005 Credit Facility included an amount sufficient to pay the redemption price for the Series A Senior Preferred Stock.
On March 15, 2005, GateHouse redeemed in full all of the outstanding shares of the Series A Senior Preferred Stock in accordance with the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Senior Preferred Stock.
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(12) Preferred Stock – (continued)
The redemption price consisted of 100% of the liquidation preference per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends per share to March 15, 2005, collectively, of $11,361.
On February 25, 2005, in connection with the 2005 Credit Facility and related transactions, the Board of Directors of GateHouse (the “Board”) approved, and the requisite stockholders consented to, the third amendment to GateHouse’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Third Amendment”). On February 25, 2005, the Third Amendment was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Third Amendment (i) amended the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Senior Preferred Stock to permit the Preferred Exchange, (ii) decreased the number of authorized shares of Series A Senior Preferred Stock from 21,000,000 shares to 20,500,000 shares, and (iii) amended the Certificate of Designations of the Series B 10% Junior Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock to duplicate, as applicable, the terms set forth in the Certificate of Designations of the Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock.
On February 25, 2005, in connection with the 2005 Credit Facility and related transactions, the Board authorized, and the requisite stockholders consented to, creating a new series of preferred stock, the Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock.
The Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock was required to be redeemed by GateHouse in February 2013. The shares of Series B-1 Senior Preferred Stock were also subject to redemption, at the option of GateHouse, in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the redemption date. Upon a Change of Control (as defined therein), and subject to certain conditions, GateHouse must make an offer to repurchase all of the Series A Senior Preferred Stock at a price of 100% of the liquidation preference, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the repurchase date.
On May 15, 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some circumstance) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody obligations for the issuer. For public companies, SFAS No. 150 was effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003, as a public company. Accordingly, dividends on the Company’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, in the amount of $13,484 have been included in the consolidated statements of operations as additional interest expense.
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, no preferred stock was issued or outstanding.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(13) Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) for the periods shown below consisted of:
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| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
Year ended December 31, 2007 (Successor):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Federal | | $ | — | | | $ | (25,879 | ) | | $ | (25,879 | ) |
State and local | | | 962 | | | | (6,275 | ) | | | (5,313 | ) |
| | $ | 962 | | | $ | (32,154 | ) | | $ | (31,192 | ) |
Year ended December 31, 2006 (Successor):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Federal | | $ | — | | | $ | (1,495 | ) | | $ | (1,495 | ) |
State and local | | | 175 | | | | (1,953 | ) | | | (1,778 | ) |
| | $ | 175 | | | $ | (3,448 | ) | | $ | (3,273 | ) |
Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (Successor):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Federal | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,331 | | | $ | 5,331 | |
State and local | | | 151 | | | | 1,568 | | | | 1,719 | |
| | $ | 151 | | | $ | 6,899 | | | $ | 7,050 | |
Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 (Predecessor):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Federal | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,720 | ) | | $ | (2,720 | ) |
State and local | | | 493 | | | | (800 | ) | | | (307 | ) |
| | $ | 493 | | | $ | (3,520 | ) | | $ | (3,027 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes as a result of the following:
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Computed “expected” tax expense (benefit) | | $ | (89,814 | ) | | $ | (1,648 | ) | | $ | 5,649 | | | $ | (9,472 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | | | (5,425 | ) | | | (141 | ) | | | 1,134 | | | | (203 | ) |
Change in effective state tax rate | | | — | | | | (1,556 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Nondeductible meals and entertainment | | | 92 | | | | 72 | | | | 17 | | | | 12 | |
Nondeductible interest | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,726 | |
Nondeductible Merger costs | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,958 | |
Return to provision adjustment | | | (1,399 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Impairment of Non-Deductible Goodwill | | | 24,676 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Change in valuation allowance | | | 39,775 | | | | — | | | | 280 | | | | — | |
Increase to provision for unrecognized tax benefits | | | 897 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Other | | | 6 | | | | — | | | | (30 | ) | | | (48 | ) |
| | $ | (31,192 | ) | | $ | (3,273 | ) | | $ | 7,050 | | | $ | (3,027 | ) |
During the year ended December 31, 2007, income tax expense related to discontinued operations was $849.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(13) Income Taxes – (continued)
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented below:
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| | December 31, |
| | 2007 | | 2006 |
Deferred tax assets:
| | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 1,517 | | | $ | 936 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 9,854 | | | | 4,214 | |
Derivative instrument | | | 17,926 | | | | — | |
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligation | | | 4,425 | | | | 5,554 | |
Net operating losses | | | 76,827 | | | | 53,117 | |
Gross deferred tax assets | | | 110,549 | | | | 63,821 | |
Less valuation allowance | | | (65,421 | ) | | | (1,100 | ) |
Net deferred tax assets | | | 45,128 | | | | 62,721 | |
Deferred tax liabilities:
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred gain from securities transactions | | | — | | | | 2,456 | |
Long-lived and intangible assets, principally due to differences in depreciation and amortization | | | 66,565 | | | | 92,078 | |
Gross deferred tax liabilities | | | 66,565 | | | | 94,534 | |
Net deferred tax liability | | $ | 21,437 | | | $ | 31,813 | |
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. In assessing the realizability of the Company’s deferred tax assets, which are principally net operating loss carryforwards, management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities which are scheduled to reverse during the carryforward period and tax planning strategies.
During the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the valuation allowance increased by $32,180, of which $280 was charged to earnings and $31,900 was recorded as an increase to goodwill, related to the Merger. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the valuation allowance of $32,430 was reduced to $1,100 with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, primarily as a result of the Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the valuation allowance increased by $64,321, of which $45,800 was charged to earnings, and $18,521 was recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income.
At December 31, 2007, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for Federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $200,220, which are available to offset future taxable income, if any. These Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire on various dates from 2018 through 2027. A portion of these net operating losses are subject to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 382. This section provides limitations on the availability of net operating losses to offset current taxable income if significant ownership changes have occurred for Federal tax purposes.
The Company revised its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to a purchase accounting tax adjustment identified in the current year. The Company overstated both its deferred tax liability and goodwill balances as of December 31, 2006 primarily related to deferred taxes being calculated on tax deductible goodwill as part of the Merger. The result was a decrease of previously reported deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately $36,226 as of December 31, 2006. This adjustment relates entirely to acquisition deferred taxes and, as such, there is no impact on previously reported income tax expense or net income.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(13) Income Taxes – (continued)
As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 had no effect on the Company’s retained earnings. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption was $3,621 million. At December 31, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $4,518 of which $897, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. The remaining amount of $3,621 would impact goodwill from previous acquisitions. The Company did not record significant amounts of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in 2007.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
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Balance as of January 1, 2007 | | $ | — | |
Increases based on adoption of FIN 48 | | | 3,621 | |
Increases based on tax positions prior to 2007 | | | 830 | |
Increases based on tax positions in 2007 | | | 67 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2007 | | $ | 4,518 | |
The Company does not anticipate significant increases or decreases in our uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months. The Company recognizes penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes.
The Company files a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return for which the statute of limitations remains open for the 2004 tax year and beyond. U.S. state jurisdictions have statute of limitations generally ranging from 3 to 6 years. Currently, we do not have any returns under examination.
(14) Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS):
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Predecessor) |
Numerator for earnings per share calculation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (232,968 | ) | | $ | (1,574 | ) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | 1,544 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (231,424 | ) | | $ | (1,574 | ) | | $ | 9,565 | | | $ | (24,831 | ) |
Denominator for earnings per share calculation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | | | 46,403,965 | | | | 25,087,535 | | | | 22,197,500 | | | | 215,883,300 | |
Dilutive securities, including restricted share grants | | | — | | | | — | | | | 246,538 | | | | — | |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | | | 46,403,965 | | | | 25,087,535 | | | | 22,444,038 | | | | 215,883,300 | |
Income (loss) per share – basic:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (5.02 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes | | | 0.03 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (4.99 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Income (loss) per share – diluted:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (5.02 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes | | | 0.03 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (4.99 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | 0.43 | | | $ | (0.12 | ) |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(14) Earnings (Loss) Per Share – (continued)
During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the antidilutive RSGs that were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because their effect would have been antidilutive were 1,035,480 and 1,051,763, respectively.
(15) Employee Benefit Plans
The Company maintains certain benefit plans for its employees.
The Company maintains a GateHouse Media, Inc. defined contribution plan designed to conform to IRS rules for 401(k) plans for all of its employees satisfying minimum service requirements as set forth under the plan. The plan allows for a matching contribution at the discretion of the Company. Employees can contribute amounts up to 100% of their eligible gross wages to the plan, subject to IRS limitations. The Company’s match ranges from 50% to 100% of a specified portion of employee contributions, which specified portion ranges from 1% to 6% of eligible gross wages. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, when the Company did not offer a matching contribution across the entire Company, the Company’s matching contributions to the plan were $1,264 and $176, respectively. The Company did not provide a matching contribution during the year ended December 31, 2005.
The Company maintains three nonqualified deferred compensation plans, as described below, for certain of its employees.
The Company maintains the GateHouse Media, Inc. Publishers’ Deferred Compensation Plan (“Publishers Plan”), a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain designated publishers of the Company’s newspapers. Under the Publishers Plan, the Company credits an amount to a bookkeeping account established for each participating publisher pursuant to a pre-determined formula, which is based upon the gross operating profits of each such publisher’s newspaper. The bookkeeping account is credited with earnings and losses based upon the investment choices selected by the participant. The amounts credited to the bookkeeping account on behalf of each participating publisher vest on an installment basis over a period of 15 years. A participating publisher forfeits all amounts under the Publishers Plan in the event that the publisher’s employment with the Company is terminated for “cause”, as defined in the Publishers Plan. Amounts credited to a participating publisher’s bookkeeping account are distributable upon termination of the publisher’s employment with the Company and will be made in a lump sum or installments as elected by the publisher. The Company recorded $0, $0, $70 and $98 of compensation expense related to the Publishers Plan for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, respectively. The Publisher’s Plan was frozen effective as of December 31, 2006, and all accrued benefits of participants under the terms of the Publisher’s Plan became 100% vested.
The Company maintains the GateHouse Media, Inc. Executive Benefit Plan (“Executive Benefit Plan”), a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain key employees of the Company. Under the Executive Benefit Plan, the Company credits an amount, determined at the Company’s sole discretion, to a bookkeeping account established for each participating key employee. The bookkeeping account is credited with earnings and losses based upon the investment choices selected by the participant. The amounts credited to the bookkeeping account on behalf of each participating key employee vest on an installment basis over a period of 5 years. A participating key employee forfeits all amounts under the Executive Benefit Plan in the event that the key employee’s employment with the Company is terminated for “cause”, as defined in the Executive Benefit Plan. Amounts credited to a participating key employee’s bookkeeping account are distributable upon termination of the key employee’s employment with the Company, and will be made in a lump sum or installments as elected by the key employee. The Company recorded $0, $0, $21 and $29 of compensation expense related to the Executive Benefit Plan for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and the period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(15) Employee Benefit Plans – (continued)
The Executive Benefit Plan was frozen effective as of December 31, 2006, and all accrued benefits of participants under the terms of the Executive Benefit Plan became 100% vested.
The Company maintains the GateHouse Media, Inc. Executive Deferral Plan (“Executive Deferral Plan”), a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain key employees of the Company. Under the Executive Deferral Plan, eligible key employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation for payment at a later date. Currently, the Executive Deferral Plan allows a participating key employee to defer up to 100% of his or her annual compensation until termination of employment or such earlier period as elected by the participating key employee. Amounts deferred are credited to a bookkeeping account established by the Company for this purpose. The bookkeeping account is credited with earnings and losses based upon the investment choices selected by the participant. Amounts deferred under the Executive Deferral Plan are fully vested and non-forfeitable. The amounts in the bookkeeping account are payable to the key employee at the time and in the manner elected by the key employee.
(16) Pension and Postretirement Benefits
As a result of the acquisition of Enterprise News Media, LLC, the Company maintains a pension plan and a postretirement medical and life insurance plan which cover certain employees. The Company uses the accrued benefit actuarial method and best estimate assumptions to determine pension costs, liabilities and other pension information for defined benefit plans.
The following provides information on the pension plan and postretirement medical and life insurance plan as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, for the year ended December 31, 2007 and for the period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006.
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| | Pension | | Postretirement | | Pension | | Postretirement |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 |
Change in projected benefit obligation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit obligation at beginning of period | | $ | 21,102 | | | $ | 9,697 | | | $ | 20,243 | | | $ | 9,123 | |
Service cost | | | 548 | | | | 371 | | | | 363 | | | | 220 | |
Interest cost | | | 1,286 | | | | 570 | | | | 702 | | | | 278 | |
Actuarial (gain) loss | | | (786 | ) | | | (1,291 | ) | | | 568 | | | | 212 | |
Benefits and expenses paid | | | (1,396 | ) | | | (260 | ) | | | (774 | ) | | | (136 | ) |
Projected benefit obligation at end of period | | $ | 20,754 | | | $ | 9,087 | | | $ | 21,102 | | | $ | 9,697 | |
Change in plan assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period | | $ | 16,723 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 15,952 | | | $ | — | |
Actual return on plan assets | | | 1,449 | | | | — | | | | 1,545 | | | | — | |
Employer contributions | | | 653 | | | | 260 | | | | — | | | | 136 | |
Benefits paid | | | (1,202 | ) | | | (260 | ) | | | (675 | ) | | | (136 | ) |
Expenses paid | | | (194 | ) | | | — | | | | (99 | ) | | | (—) | |
Fair value of plan assets at end of period | | $ | 17,429 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,723 | | | $ | — | |
Reconciliation of funded status:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit obligation at end of period | | $ | (20,754 | ) | | $ | (9,087 | ) | | $ | (21,102 | ) | | $ | (9,697 | ) |
Fair value of assets at end of period | | | 17,429 | | | | — | | | | 16,723 | | | | — | |
Funded status | | | (3,325 | ) | | | (9,087 | ) | | | (4,379 | ) | | | (9,697 | ) |
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss | | | (1,443 | ) | | | (441 | ) | | | (360 | ) | | | 850 | |
Net accrued benefit cost | | $ | (4,768 | ) | | $ | (9,528 | ) | | $ | (4,739 | ) | | $ | (8,847) | |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(16) Pension and Postretirement Benefits – (continued)
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| | Pension | | Postretirement | | Pension | | Postretirement |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 |
Balance sheet presentation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 405 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 311 | |
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations | | | 3,325 | | | | 8,682 | | | | 4,379 | | | | 9,386 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 875 | | | | 276 | | | | 217 | | | | (510 | ) |
Deferred taxes | | | 568 | | | | 165 | | | | 143 | | | | (340 | ) |
Net accrued benefit cost | | $ | 4,768 | | | $ | 9,528 | | | $ | 4,739 | | | $ | 8,847 | |
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 548 | | | $ | 371 | | | $ | 363 | | | $ | 220 | |
Interest cost | | | 1,286 | | | | 570 | | | | 702 | | | | 278 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | (1,438 | ) | | | — | | | | (788 | ) | | | — | |
Amortization of prior service cost | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Amortization of unrecognized loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (23 | ) |
Special termination benefits | | | 288 | | | | — | | | | 133 | | | | — | |
Net periodic benefit cost | | $ | 684 | | | $ | 941 | | | $ | 410 | | | $ | 475 | |
Comparison of obligations to plan assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Projected benefit obligation | | $ | 20,754 | | | $ | 9,087 | | | $ | 21,102 | | | $ | 9,697 | |
Accumulated benefit obligation | | | 19,964 | | | | 9,087 | | | | 19,517 | | | | 9,697 | |
Fair value of plan assets | | | 17,429 | | | | — | | | | 16,723 | | | | — | |
The incremental effect of applying SFAS No. 158 on individual line items in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 is as follows:
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| | Before Application of SFAS 158 | | Adjustments | | After Application of SFAS 158 |
Current portion of postretirement benefit obligations | | $ | — | | | $ | 311 | | | $ | 311 | |
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, less current portion | | $ | 13,586 | | | $ | 179 | | | $ | 13,765 | |
Deferred income taxes | | $ | 71,132 | | | $ | (197 | ) | | $ | 70,935 | |
Total liabilities | | $ | 694,346 | | | $ | 293 | | | $ | 694,639 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | (2,351 | ) | | $ | (293 | ) | | $ | (2,644 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | $ | 473,377 | | | $ | (293 | ) | | $ | 473,084 | |
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:
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| | Pension | | Postretirement | | Total |
Transition obligation | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Prior service cost | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Unrecognized (gain) loss | | | (217 | ) | | | 510 | | | | 293 | |
Total | | $ | (217 | ) | | $ | 510 | | | $ | 293 | |
During the period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006, a total of $293, net of income taxes of $197, was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. In addition, no amounts in accumulated other
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(16) Pension and Postretirement Benefits – (continued)
comprehensive income are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year. There are no plan assets that are expected to be returned to the Company during next fiscal year.
The following assumptions were used in connection with the Company’s actuarial valuation of its defined benefit pension and postretirement plans:
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| | Pension | | Postretirement | | Pension | | Postretirement |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 |
Weighted average discount rate | | | 6.4 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 6.0 | % | | | 6.0 | % |
Rate of increase in future compensation levels | | | 3.0 | % | | | — | % | | | 3.5 | % | | | — | % |
Expected return on assets | | | 8.5 | % | | | — | % | | | 8.5 | % | | | — | % |
Current year trend | | | — | | | | 8.5 | % | | | — | | | | 8.5 | % |
Ultimate year trend | | | — | | | | 5.5 | % | | | — | | | | 5.5 | % |
Year of ultimate trend | | | — | | | | 2012 | | | | — | | | | 2011 | |
The following assumptions were used to calculate the net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension and post retirement plans:
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| | Pension | | Postretirement | | Pension | | Postretirement |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 | | Period from June 6, 2006 to December 31, 2006 |
Weighted average discount rate | | | 6.04 | % | | | 6.0 | % | | | 6.25 | % | | | 6.25 | % |
Rate of increase in future compensation levels | | | 3.5 | % | | | — | % | | | 3.5 | % | | | — | % |
Expected return on assets | | | 8.5 | % | | | — | % | | | 9.0 | % | | | — | % |
Current year trend | | | — | | | | 8.5 | % | | | — | | | | 9.25 | % |
Ultimate year trend | | | — | | | | 5.5 | % | | | — | | | | 5.5 | % |
Year of ultimate trend | | | — | | | | 2011 | | | | — | | | | 2011 | |
To determine the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, the Company considers the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets, input from the actuaries and investment consultants, and long-term inflation assumptions. The expected allocation of pension plan assets is based on a diversified portfolio consisting of domestic and international equity securities and fixed income securities. This expected return is then applied to the fair value of plan assets. The Company amortizes experience gains and losses, including the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions and plan provisions over a period equal to the average future service of plan participants.
Amortization of prior service costs was calculated using the straight-line method over the average remaining service periods of the employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.
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| | Postretirement |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
Effect of 1% increase in health care cost trend rates
| | | | |
APBO | | $ | 10,387 | |
Dollar change | | $ | 1,299 | |
Percent change | | | 14.30 | % |
Effect of 1% decrease in health care cost trend rates
| | | | |
APBO | | $ | 8,015 | |
Dollar change | | $ | (1,072 | ) |
Percent change | | | (11.8 | )% |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(16) Pension and Postretirement Benefits – (continued)
The pension plan’s assets by asset category are as follows:
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| | Pension | | Pension |
| | December 31, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 |
Equity funds | | | 66 | % | | | 70 | % |
Debt funds | | | 30 | % | | | 30 | % |
Other | | | 4 | % | | | — | |
Total | | | 100 | % | | | 100 | % |
Plan fiduciaries of the George W. Prescott Publishing Company LLC Pension Plan set investment policies and strategies for the pension trust. Objectives include preserving the funded status of the plan and balancing risk against return. The general target allocation is 70% in equity funds and 30% in fixed income funds for the plan’s investments. To accomplish this goal, each plan’s assets are actively managed by outside investment managers with the objective of optimizing long-term return while maintaining a high standard of portfolio quality and proper diversification. The Company monitors the maturities of fixed income securities so that there is sufficient liquidity to meet current benefit payment obligations.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future services, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows:
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| | Pension | | Postretirement |
2008 | | $ | 1,301 | | | $ | 404 | |
2009 | | | 1,325 | | | | 414 | |
2010 | | | 1,321 | | | | 464 | |
2011 | | | 1,333 | | | | 512 | |
2012 | | | 1,388 | | | | 540 | |
2013-2017 | | | 7,667 | | | | 3,514 | |
Employer contribution expected to be paid during the year ending December 31, 2008 | | $ | 1,272 | | | $ | 404 | |
The postretirement plan is not funded.
(17) Stock Compensation Plans
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
On October 5, 2006, the Company adopted a new equity incentive plan for its employees, the GateHouse Media, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and presented the Plan to the Company’s stockholders’ for approval, which was received on October 6, 2006. The purposes of the Plan are to strengthen the commitment of the Company’s employees, motivate them to faithfully and diligently perform their responsibilities and attract and retain competent and dedicated persons who are essential to the success of the business and whose efforts will result in the Company’s long-term growth and profitability. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, deferred shares, performance shares, unrestricted shares and other stock-based awards.
A total of 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the Plan, provided however, that commencing on the first day of each fiscal year beginning in calendar year 2007, the number of shares reserved and available for issuance will be increased by an amount equal to 100,000. All such shares of the Company’s common stock that are available for the grant of awards under the Plan may be granted as incentive stock options. When Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) becomes applicable, the maximum aggregate number of shares that will be subject to stock options
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(17) Stock Compensation Plans – (continued)
or stock appreciation rights that may be granted to any individual during any fiscal year will be 400,000 and the maximum aggregate number of shares that will be subject to awards of restricted stock, deferred shares, unrestricted shares or other stock-based awards that may be granted to any individual during any fiscal year will be 400,000.
The Plan was initially administered by the Company’s board of directors, although it may be administered by either the board of directors or any committee of the board of directors including a committee that complies with the applicable requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, Section 16 of the Exchange Act and any other applicable legal or stock exchange listing requirements. On October 5, 2006, the Company’s board of directors authorized the Compensation Committee of the board of directors to administer the Plan.
Except as otherwise provided by the Plan administrator, on the first business day after the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders and each such annual meeting thereafter during the term of the Plan, each of the Company’s independent directors who is serving following such annual meeting will automatically be granted under the Plan a number of unrestricted shares of common stock having a fair market value of $15 as of the date of grant; however, those of the Company’s independent directors who were granted restricted common stock upon the consummation of the IPO will not be eligible to receive these automatic annual grants.
The terms of the Plan provide that the board of directors may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no such action may impair the rights of any participant with respect to outstanding awards without the participant’s consent. The Plan administrator, however, reserves the right to amend, modify, or supplement an award to either bring it into compliance with Section 409A of the Code, or to cause the award to not be subject to such section. Unless the board of directors determines otherwise, stockholder approval of any such action will be obtained if required to comply with applicable law. The Plan will terminate on October 5, 2016.
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, a total of 281,980 and 268,263 RSGs were outstanding under the Plan.
Stock Option Plan
In February 1999, the Company adopted the Option Plan under which certain employees may be granted the right to purchase shares of common stock. Pursuant to the Option Plan, GateHouse has granted incentive stock options and two types of nonqualified stock options, one type for publishers and the other type for corporate employees. Stock options may be exercised only to the extent they have vested in accordance with the provisions described in the individual option award agreements. Generally, options vest under the incentive stock option awards on the first anniversary of the grant date. Generally, under the nonqualified stock option awards for publishers, options vest with respect to 50% of the shares on the third anniversary of the grant date and with respect to the remaining 50% on the eighth anniversary of the grant date. However, the vesting period for the remaining 50% may be accelerated if certain financial targets are met. Generally, options vest under the nonqualified stock option awards for corporate employees on the third anniversary of the grant date. In conjunction with the Merger, each outstanding option under the Option Plan was cancelled for cash consideration per share equal to the difference between the conversion amount of $0.10 per share or an aggregate amount of $93. In June 2006, the Option Plan was terminated.
Stock option activity for the periods indicated is as follows:
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| | Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price |
Outstanding on December 31, 2004 (Predecessor) | | | 2,467,500 | | | $ | 0.06 | |
Canceled as of June 5, 2005 | | | (2,467,500 | ) | | | 0.06 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 (Successor) | | | — | | | | | |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(18) Assets Held for Sale
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company intended to dispose of various assets which are classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with SFAS No. 144. The following table summarizes the major classes of assets and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2007 and 2006:
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| | December 31, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 |
Assets held for sale:
| | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 1,314 | | | $ | — | |
Inventory | | | 152 | | | | — | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 74 | | | | — | |
Total assets held for sale | | $ | 1,540 | | | $ | — | |
Long-term assets held for sale:
| | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 15,842 | | | $ | 2,323 | |
Intangible assets | | | 7,422 | | | | — | |
Total long-term assets held for sale | | $ | 23,264 | | | $ | 2,323 | |
Liabilities held for sale | | $ | 623 | | | $ | — | |
During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded a charge to operations of $1,553 and $917, respectively, related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets which were either classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2007 or 2006, or disposed of during the years ended December 31, 2007 or 2006, respectively.
(19) Commitments and Contingencies
The Company becomes involved from time to time in claims and lawsuits incidental to the ordinary course of its business, including such matters as libel, invasion of privacy, intellectual property infringement, wrongful termination actions, and complaints alleging discrimination. In addition, the Company is involved from time to time in governmental and administrative proceedings concerning employment, labor, environmental and other claims. Insurance coverage mitigates potential loss for certain of these matters. Historically, such claims and proceedings have not had a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. While the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of any currently outstanding legal actions, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that it is a remote possibility that the disposition of these matters would have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company has outstanding letters of credit amounting to $5,188 which reduce the amount of available borrowing capacity under the 2007 Credit Facility.
(20) Related-Party Transactions
The Company paid $768 in management fees to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. during and the period from January 1, 2005 through June 5, 2005. These costs have been included within integration and reorganization costs and management fees paid to prior owner on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2007, Fortress Investment Group LLC and its affiliates (“Fortress”) beneficially owned approximately 42.0% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
In conjunction with the Merger, the Company paid $2,850 to a third party to cancel a hedging agreement entered into by the Parent on the Company’s behalf, which has been reported as a transaction cost in the
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(20) Related-Party Transactions – (continued)
successor period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2006 the Company owed Parent $0 for consulting expenses that Parent had paid on the Company’s behalf.
In addition, the Company’s Chairman, Wesley Edens, is also the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Fortress Investment Group LLC. The Company does not pay Mr. Edens a salary or any other form of compensation.
Affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC own $126,000 of the $1,206,000 2007 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2007. These amounts were purchased on arms’ length terms in secondary market transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC purchased $87,000 of the $610,000 first lien facility and $37,000 of the $152,000 second lien facility, both on arms’ length terms in a secondary market transaction. During October 2006, the second lien facility was repaid in full. As of December 31, 2006, affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC continued to hold $85,800 of the first lien facility.
On October 24, 2006, the Company entered into an Investor Rights Agreement with Parent, an affiliate of Fortress, our principal and controlling stockholder. The Investor Rights Agreement provides Parent with certain rights with respect to the nomination of directors to the Company’s board of directors as well as registration rights for securities of the Company owned by Fortress Investment Group LLC.
The Investor Rights Agreement requires the Company to take all necessary or desirable action within its control to elect to its board of directors so long as Fortress beneficially owns (i) more than 50% of the voting power of the Company, four directors nominated by FIG Advisors LLC, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“FIG Advisors”), or such other party nominated by Fortress; (ii) between 25% and 50% of the voting power of the Company, three directors nominated by FIG Advisors; (iii) between 10% and 25% of the voting power of the Company, two directors nominated by FIG Advisors; and (iv) between 5% and 10% of the voting power of the Company, one director nominated by FIG Advisors. In the event that any designee of FIG Advisors shall for any reason cease to serve as a member of the board of directors during his term of office, FIG Advisors will be entitled to nominate an individual to fill the resulting vacancy on the board of directors.
Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company has granted Parent, for so long as it or its permitted transferees beneficially own an amount of the Company’s common stock at least equal to 5% or more of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of its IPO (a “Registrable Amount”), “demand” registration rights that allow Parent at any time after six months following the consummation of its IPO to request that the Company register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, an amount equal to or greater than a Registrable Amount. Parent is entitled to an aggregate of four demand registrations. The Company is not required to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement for more than 60 days. The Company is also not required to effect any demand registration within six months of a “firm commitment” underwritten offering to which the requestor held “piggyback” rights and which included at least 50% of the securities requested by the requestor to be included. The Company is not obligated to grant a request for a demand registration within four months of any other demand registration and may refuse a request for demand registration if, in the Company’s reasonable judgment, it is not feasible for the Company to proceed with the registration because of the unavailability of audited financial statements.
For as long as Parent and its permitted transferees beneficially own an amount of the Company’s common stock at least equal to 1% of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of its IPO, Parent also has “piggyback” registration rights that allow Parent to include the shares of common stock that Parent and its permitted transferees own in any public offering of equity securities initiated by the Company (other than those public offerings pursuant to registration statements on Forms S-4 or S-8) or by any of the Company’s other stockholders that may have registration rights in the future. The
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(20) Related-Party Transactions – (continued)
“piggyback” registration rights of Parent are subject to proportional cutbacks based on the manner of the offering and the identity of the party initiating such offering.
The Company has granted Parent and its permitted transferees for as long as Fortress beneficially owns a Registrable Amount, the right to request shelf registrations on Form S-3, providing for an offering to be made on a continuous basis, subject to a time limit on the Company’s efforts to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective and the Company’s right to suspend the use of a shelf registration prospectus for a reasonable period of time (not exceeding 60 days in succession or 90 days in the aggregate in any 12-month period) if the Company determines that certain disclosures required by the shelf registration statement would be detrimental to the Company or the Company’s stockholders.
The Company has agreed to indemnify Parent and its permitted transferees against any losses or damages resulting from any untrue statement or omission of material fact in any registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which Parent and its permitted transferees sells shares of the Company’s common stock, unless such liability arose from Parent’s misstatement or omission, and Parent has agreed to indemnify the Company against all losses caused by its misstatements or omissions. The Company will pay all expenses incident to registration and Fortress will pay its respective portions of all underwriting discounts, commissions and transfer taxes relating to the sale of its shares under such a registration statement.
(21) Discontinued Operations
On September 14, 2007, the Company completed its sale ofThe Herald Dispatch and related publications (initially acquired in the Gannett Co., Inc. acquisition) which are located in Huntington, West Virginia for a purchase price of approximately $77,000.
Additionally, the Company has entered into an agreement to sell eight publications (initially acquired in the Morris Publishing Group acquisition) for a purchase price of approximately $9,300.
The net revenue during the year ended December 31, 2007 for the aforementioned discontinued operations was $8,674. Income before income taxes during the year ended December 31, 2007 for the aforementioned discontinued operations was $2,393. There was no depreciation and amortization expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2007 for the aforementioned discontinued operations in accordance with GAAP.
(22) Quarterly Results (unaudited)
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| | Quarter Ended March 31 | | Quarter Ended June 30 | | Quarter Ended September 30 | | Quarter Ended December 31 |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) |
Year Ended December 31, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 94,886 | | | $ | 158,543 | | | $ | 163,296 | | | $ | 172,203 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | 2,037 | | | | 18,422 | | | | 12,526 | | | | (213,684 | ) |
Loss before income taxes | | | (8,580 | ) | | | (4,176 | ) | | | (14,871 | ) | | | (236,533 | ) |
Net loss | | | (6,079 | ) | | | (1,964 | ) | | | (8,754 | ) | | | (214,627 | ) |
Basic loss per share | | $ | (0.16 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | $ | (0.18 | ) | | $ | (3.78 | ) |
Diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.16 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | $ | (0.18 | ) | | $ | (3.78 | ) |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share data)
(22) Quarterly Results (unaudited) – (continued)
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| | Quarter Ended March 31 | | Quarter Ended June 30(a) | | Quarter Ended September 30(a) | | Quarter Ended December 31(a) |
| | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) | | (Successor) |
Year Ended December 31, 2006
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 49,975 | | | $ | 69,487 | | | $ | 97,614 | | | $ | 97,854 | |
Operating income | | | 3,374 | | | | 9,915 | | | | 9,719 | | | | 9,619 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 773 | | | | 1,868 | | | | (4,940 | ) | | | (2,548 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | 405 | | | | 1,104 | | | | (10,836 | ) | | | 7,753 | |
Basic income (loss) per share | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | (0.49 | ) | | $ | 0.23 | |
Diluted income (loss) per share | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | (0.49 | ) | | $ | 0.23 | |
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| (a) | Includes the results of operations of CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC from the dates of their acquisitions on June 6, 2006. |
The Company concluded during the third quarter of 2006 that it was more likely than not that the Company would not fully realize the benefits of its existing net deferred tax assets. Therefore, the Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $5,570 during third quarter of 2006 to adjust the valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets, including Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company updated its estimate of the tax basis of assets and liabilities related to the acquisition of Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC and recorded an income tax benefit of $10,476.
The Company has made certain immaterial adjustments affecting the quarterly results during 2006. These adjustments were primarily to consistently reflect revenues from acquired companies in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy and to reflect vacation expense, interest expense and a loss on the sale of an asset in the proper periods. These adjustments are reflected in the Company’s 2006 quarterly results above as indicated in the following table.
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 | | Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 | | Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 |
| | As Reported | | Adjustments | | Revised | | As Reported | | Adjustments | | Revised | | As Reported | | Adjustments | | Revised |
Revenues | | $ | 49,975 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 49,975 | | | $ | 69,439 | | | $ | 48 | | | $ | 69,487 | | | $ | 97,508 | | | $ | 106 | | | $ | 97,614 | |
Operating income | | | 3,670 | | | | (296 | ) | | | 3,374 | | | | 10,358 | | | | (443 | ) | | | 9,915 | | | | 8,977 | | | | 742 | | | | 9,719 | |
Income (loss) before taxes | | | 1,068 | | | | (295 | ) | | | 773 | | | | 2,383 | | | | (515 | ) | | | 1,868 | | | | (5,790 | ) | | | 850 | | | | (4,940 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | 582 | | | | (177 | ) | | | 405 | | | | 1,411 | | | | (307 | ) | | | 1,104 | | | | (11,360 | ) | | | 524 | | | | (10,836 | ) |
Basic income (loss) per share | | $ | 0.03 | | | | | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.06 | | | | | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | (0.51 | ) | | | | | | $ | (0.49 | ) |
Diluted income (loss) per share | | $ | 0.03 | | | | | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.06 | | | | | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | (0.51 | ) | | | | | | $ | (0.49 | ) |
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-†15(e)) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control system was designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and with the participation of management in order to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and our preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed and tested, have inherent limitations, including, among other things, the possibility of human error, circumvention or disregard. Therefore, even those systems of internal control that have been determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and with the participation of management, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on an assessment of such criteria, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2007, we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Journal Register Company Newspaper acquisitions that were consummated on February 9, 2007, The Copley Press, Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were consummated on April 11, 2007, the Gannett Co., Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were consummated on May 7, 2007 and the Morris Publishing Group Newspaper acquisitions that were consummated on November 30, 2007, which are included in the 2007 consolidated financial statements of GateHouse Media, Inc. and constituted (in thousands) $53,349 and $19,038 of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and $200,869 and $52,783 of total revenue and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young LLP’s attestation report is included below.
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Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of GateHouse Media, Inc.
We have audited GateHouse Media Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). GateHouse Media, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Journal Register Company Newspaper Acquisitions that were acquired on February 9, 2007, The Copley Press, Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were acquired on April 11, 2007, the Gannett Co., Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were acquired on May 7, 2007 and the Morris Publishing Group Newspaper Acquisitions that were acquired on November 30, 2007, which are included in the 2007 consolidated financial statements of GateHouse Media, Inc. and constituted (in 000’s) $53,349 and $19,038 of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and $200,869 and $52,783 of total revenue and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of GateHouse Media, Inc. also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Journal Register Company Newspaper Acquisitions that were acquired on February 9, 2007, The Copley Press, Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were acquired on April 11, 2007, the Gannett Co., Inc. Newspaper acquisitions that were acquired on May 7, 2007 and the Morris Publishing Group Newspaper Acquisitions that were acquired on November 30, 2007.
In our opinion, GateHouse Media, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of GateHouse Media, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended and our report dated March 17, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Buffalo, New York
March 17, 2008
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Except as set forth below, the information required by this Item 10 is incorporated into this report by reference to our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the headings “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2007.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also applies to all of our other employees and, as set forth therein, to our directors. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at www.gatehousemedia.com under Investors/Governance. We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirements pursuant to Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or a waiver from, certain provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by posting such information on our website under Investors/Governance.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated into this report by reference to our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation of Executive Officers,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Except as set forth below, the information required by this Item 12 is incorporated into this report by reference to our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the heading “Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2007.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans as of December 31, 2007
Equity Compensation Plan Information
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Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,818,020 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Totals | | | — | | | | | | | | 1,818,020 | |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated into this report by reference to our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the headings “Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Principles” and “Board Matters,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated into this report by reference to our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, under the heading “Matters Relating to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2007.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
The financial statements required by this Item 15 are set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
| (2) | Financial Statement Schedules |
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
GateHouse Media, Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In Thousands)
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Description | | Balance at Beginning of Period | | Charges to Earnings | | Charges to Other Accounts | | Deductions | | Balance at End of Period |
Allowance for doubtful accounts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, 2007 | | $ | 2,332 | | | $ | 2,996 | | | $ | 1,675 | (1) | | $ | (3,129 | )(3) | | $ | 3,874 | |
Year ended December 31, 2006 | | $ | 1,509 | | | $ | 2,249 | | | $ | 2,188 | (2) | | $ | (3,614 )(3) | | | $ | 2,332 | |
Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | | 1,437 | | | | 1,232 | | | | 17 | | | | (1,177 )(3) | | | | 1,509 | |
Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 | | | 1,547 | | | | 411 | | | | — | | | | (521 )(3) | | | | 1,437 | |
Deferred tax valuation allowance
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, 2007 | | $ | 1,100 | | | $ | 45,800 | | | $ | 18,521 | (4) | | | — | | | $ | 65,421 | |
Year ended December 31, 2006 | | $ | 32,430 | | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | (31,330 | )(5) | | $ | 1,100 | |
Period from June 6, 2005 to December 31, 2005 | | $ | 250 | | | $ | 280 | | | $ | 31,900 | (6) | | | — | | | $ | 32,430 | |
Period from January 1, 2005 to June 5, 2005 | | $ | 250 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | 250 | |
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| (1) | Amount is primarily related to the acquisitions of the newspapers from the Copley Press, Inc., the newspapers from Gannett Co. Inc., and the newspapers from Morris Publishing Group. |
| (2) | Amount is primarily related to the acquisitions of CP Media and Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC. |
| (3) | Amounts are primarily related to the write off of fully reserved accounts receivable. |
| (4) | Amount is primarily related to the change in derivative value and is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. |
| (5) | Amount of decrease is primarily related to the Enterprise NewsMedia, LLC acquisition with a corresponding reduction to goodwill. |
| (6) | Amount of increase is related to the Merger with a corresponding increase to goodwill. |
All other schedules are omitted because the conditions requiring their filing do not exist, or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
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(b) Exhibits. The following Exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | | Included Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference Herein |
Form | | Exhibit | | Filing Date |
2.1 | | Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, among Northeast Publishing Company, Inc., Journal Company, Inc., and Taunton Acquisition, LLC, as Sellers, and Enterprise Publishing Company, LLC, as Purchaser | | | | 8-K/A | | 2.1 | | May 4, 2007 |
2.2 | | Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2007, by and among SureWest Communications, as Seller, SureWest Directories and GateHouse Media, Inc., as Purchaser | | | | 8-K | | 2.1 | | March 1, 2007 |
2.3 | | Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2007, by and between GateHouse Media Illinois Holdings, Inc., as Buyer, and The Copley Press, Inc., as Seller | | | | 8-K | | 2.1 | | April 11, 2007 |
2.4 | | Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 12, 2007, by and among Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc., Gannett River States Publishing Corporation, Pacific and Southern Company, Inc., Federated Publications, Inc., Media West — GSI, Inc., Media West — GRS, Inc., as Sellers, and GateHouse Media Illinois Holdings, Inc., as Buyer, and GateHouse Media, Inc., as Buyer guarantor | | | | 8-K | | 2.1 | | May 8, 2007 |
2.5 | | Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 12, 2007, by and among Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc., Media West — GSI, Inc., as Sellers, GateHouse Media Illinois Holdings, Inc., as Buyer, and GateHouse Media, Inc., as Buyer guarantor | | | | 8-K | | 2.2 | | May 8, 2007 |
2.6 | | Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 28, 2007, by and among GateHouse Media, Inc., GateHouse Media West Virginia Holdings, Inc., GateHouse Media Illinois Holdings, Inc., Champion Publishing, Inc. and Champion Industries, Inc. | | | | S-1/A | | 2.9 | | July 13, 2007 |
2.7 | | Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2007, by and among GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., as Buyer, GateHouse Media, Inc., as Buyer guarantor, Morris Communications Company LLC, Morris Publishing Group, LLC, MPG Allegan Property, LLC, Broadcaster Press, Inc., MPG Holland Property, LLC, The Oak Ridger, LLC, and Yankton Printing Company, as Sellers, and Morris Communications Company, LLC, as Sellers’ guarantor | | | | 8-K | | 2.1 | | December 3, 2007 |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | | Included Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference Herein |
Form | | Exhibit | | Filing Date |
3.1 | | Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of GateHouse Media, Inc. | | | | S-1/A | | 3.1 | | October 11, 2006 |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated By-laws of GateHouse Media, Inc. | | | | 8-K | | 3.2 | | November 13, 2007 |
4.1 | | Form of common stock certificate | | | | S-1/A | | 4.1 | | October 11, 2006 |
4.2 | | Form of Investor Rights Agreement by and among GateHouse Media, Inc. and FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC | | | | S-1/A | | 4.2 | | October 11, 2006 |
*10.1 | | GateHouse Media, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan | | | | S-1/A | | 10.1 | | October 11, 2006 |
*10.2 | | Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement under the GateHouse Media, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (three-year vesting) | | X | | | | | | |
*10.3 | | Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement under the GateHouse Media, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (April 15, 2008 vesting) | | X | | | | | | |
*10.4 | | Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. Publisher’s Deferred Compensation Plan | | | | S-1 | | 10.2 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.5 | | Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. Executive Benefit Plan | | | | S-1 | | 10.3 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.6 | | Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. Executive Deferral Plan | | | | S-1 | | 10.4 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.7 | | Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into by GateHouse Media, Inc. with each of its executive officers and directors | | | | S-1/A | | 10.6 | | October 11, 2006 |
*10.8 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2006, by and among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Liberty Group Operating, Inc. and Michael E. Reed | | | | S-1 | | 10.8 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.9 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2005, by and among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Liberty Group Operating, Inc. and Scott Tracy Champion | | | | S-1 | | 10.9 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.10 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2005, by and among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Liberty Group Operating, Inc. and Randall W. Cope | | | | S-1 | | 10.10 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.11 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2006, by and among GateHouse Media, Inc., GateHouse Media Operating, Inc. and Mark R. Thompson | | | | S-1 | | 10.11 | | July 21, 2006 |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | | Included Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference Herein |
Form | | Exhibit | | Filing Date |
*10,12 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2006, by and among GateHouse Media, Inc., GateHouse Media Operating, Inc. and Polly G. Sack | | | | S-1 | | 10.12 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.13 | | Management Stockholder Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2006, by and between Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC and Michael E. Reed | | | | S-1 | | 10.13 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.14 | | Amended and Restated Management Stockholder Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2006, by and between Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC and Scott Tracy Champion | | | | S-1 | | 10.14 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.15 | | Amended and Restated Management Stockholder Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2006, by and between Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC and Randall W. Cope | | | | S-1 | | 10.15 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.16 | | Management Stockholder Agreement, dated as of May 17, 2006, by and between GateHouse Media, Inc., FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC and Polly G. Sack | | | | S-1 | | 10.19 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.17 | | Management Stockholder Agreement, dated as of May 17, 2006, by and between GateHouse Media, Inc., FIF III Liberty Holdings LLC and Mark R. Thompson | | | | S-1 | | 10.21 | | July 21, 2006 |
*10.18 | | Memo of Understanding dated as of December 20, 2006, by and among GateHouse Media, Inc., f/k/a Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., f/k/a Liberty Group Operating, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Mark Thompson | | | | 10-Q | | 10.1 | | May 16, 2007 |
10.19 | | Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into by GateHouse Media, Inc. with each of its executive officers and directors | | | | S-1/A | | 10.6 | | October 11, 2006 |
10.20 | | License Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, by and between SureWest Communications and GateHouse Media, Inc. | | | | 8-K | | 10.1 | | March 1, 2007 |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | | Included Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference Herein |
Form | | Exhibit | | Filing Date |
10.21 | | Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2007, among GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc., as Holdco, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., as the Company, GateHouse Media Massachusetts I, Inc., GateHouse Media Massachusetts II, Inc., and ENHE Acquisition, LLC, as Subsidiary Borrowers, the Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdco from time to time Parties thereto, as Guarantors, the Lenders Parties thereto, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as Syndication Agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., and BMO Capital Markets Financing, Inc., as co-documentation Agents and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., General Electric Capital Corporation and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners | | | | 8-K | | 10.1 | | March 1, 2007 |
10.22 | | Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, among GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc., as Holdco, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., as the Company, GateHouse Media Massachusetts I, Inc., GateHouse Media Massachusetts II, Inc., and ENHE Acquisition, LLC, as Subsidiary Borrowers, the Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdco from time to time Parties thereto, as Guarantors, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., General Electric Capital Corporation and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners | | | | 8-K | | 10.2 | | March 1, 2007 |
10.23 | | Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, among GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc., as Holdco, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., as the Company, GateHouse Media Massachusetts I, Inc., GateHouse Media Massachusetts II, Inc., and ENHE Acquisition, LLC, as Subsidiary Borrowers, the Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdco from time to time Parties thereto, as Guarantors, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, for the several banks and other financial institutions as may from time to time becomes parties to such Credit Agreement | | | | 8-K | | 10.3 | | March 1, 2007 |
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Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit | | Included Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference Herein |
Form | | Exhibit | | Filing Date |
10.24 | | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2007, by and among GateHouse Media Holdco, Inc., as Holdco, GateHouse Media Operating, Inc., as the Company, GateHouse Media Massachusetts I, Inc., GateHouse Media Massachusetts II, Inc. and ENHE Acquisition, LLC, as Subsidiary Borrowers, the Domestic Subsidiaries of Holdco from time to time Parties thereto, as Guarantors, the Lenders Parties thereto, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent | | | | 8-K | | 99.1 | | May 11, 2007 |
*10.25 | | Resignation Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2007, by and between GateHouse Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Randall W. Cope | | X | | | | | | |
10.26 | | Underwriting Agreement, dated July 17, 2007, among GateHouse Media, Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated | | | | 8-K | | 1.1 | | July 18, 2007 |
16.1 | | Letter from KPMG LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated April 13, 2007 | | | | 8-K/A | | 16.1 | | April 13, 2007 |
21 | | Subsidiaries of GateHouse Media, Inc. | | X | | | | | | |
23.1 | | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP | | X | | | | | | |
23.2 | | Consent of KPMG LLP | | X | | | | | | |
31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(d) Certification of Principal Executive Officer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | | X | | | | | | |
31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(d) Certification of Principal Financial Officer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | | X | | | | | | |
32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification | | X | | | | | | |
32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification | | X | | | | | | |
For purposes of the incorporation by reference of documents as Exhibits, all references to Forms 10-Q and 8-K of GateHouse Media, Inc. refer to Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Commission under Commission file number 001-33091; and all references to Forms S-1 and S-1/A of GateHouse Media, Inc. refer to Forms S-1 and S-1/A filed with the Commission under Registration Number 333-135944.
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| * | Asterisks identify management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC.
| By: | /s/ Michael E. Reed
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Michael E. Reed Chief Executive Officer |
March 17, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/spacer.gif) | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/spacer.gif) | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/spacer.gif) |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
/s/ Wesley R. Edens
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Wesley R. Edens | | Chairman of the Board | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Michael E. Reed
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Michael E. Reed | | Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Mark R. Thompson
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Mark R. Thompson | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Linda A. Hill
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Linda A. Hill | | Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Martin Bandier
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Martin Bandier | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Richard Friedman
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Richard Friedman | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Burl Osborne
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Burl Osborne | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Howard Rubin
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Howard Rubin | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
/s/ Kevin M. Sheehan
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-K/0001144204-08-015835/line.gif) Kevin M. Sheehan | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
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