The following tables set forth components of the net periodic benefit costs under the Company’s cash balance retirement plan for its United States employees meeting certain eligibility requirements (the “U.S. Pension Plan”), the defined benefit pension plan of Scholastic Ltd., an indirect subsidiary of Scholastic Corporation located in the United Kingdom (the “U.K. Pension Plan”), the defined benefit pension plan of Grolier Ltd., an indirect subsidiary of Scholastic Corporation located in Canada (the “Canadian Pension Plan” and, together with the U.S. Pension Plan and the U.K. Pension Plan, the “Pension Plans”), and the post-retirement benefits provided by the Company to its retired United States-based employees, consisting of certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for the periods indicated:
The Company’s funding policy with respect to the Pension Plans is to contribute on an annual basis amounts that are allowable for tax purposes or mandated by local statutory requirements. These contributions are intended to provide for future benefits earned to date and those expected to be earned in the future. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, the Company contributed $7.4, $0.5 and $0.0 to the U.S. Pension Plan, the U.K. Pension Plan and the Canadian Pension Plan, respectively. The Company expects, based on current actuarial calculations, to contribute cash of approximately $11 in the aggregate to the Pension Plans in the fiscal year ending May 31, 2007.
On February 28, 2007, the Company sold its remaining investment in the holding company of Editions Gallimard, a French publisher, for $4.2, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $3.0, or $0.04 per diluted share, which was recorded in both the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2007.
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(“MD&A”)
Overview and Outlook
Scholastic’s third fiscal quarter is its second smallest revenue period. Revenue for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased by $9.3 million, or 2%, as compared to the prior fiscal year quarter, reflecting higher revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution,International andEducational Publishing segments. Operating loss for the quarter decreased by $10.0 million, driven by the Company’s previously announced cost savings initiatives. Key factors in the quarter ended February 28, 2007 included increased profitability in the school-based book club business, due to reduced promotion spending and amortization and fulfillment efficiencies, and higher sales of educational technology products, partially offset by higher promotion amortization and bad debt expense in the direct-to-home portion of the Company’s continuity business.
For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, revenues and operating income decreased from the prior fiscal year by $115.4 million and $19.8 million, respectively. The year-over-year differences in revenue and operating income reflect higherHarry Potter® revenues in the prior year period, which included the release ofHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in the planned seven book series, in July 2005, partially offset by increased profitability in the school-based book club business in the current year period.
Based on the lower-than-expected results for the direct-to-home portion of the continuity business in the quarter and the higher bad debt expense and promotion amortization that is anticipated to continue in that business in the fourth quarter, the Company lowered its profitability forecast for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2007. As a result, the Company has begun a detailed analysis in order to reposition this business for profitability in a more internet-based environment.
Results of Operations - Consolidated
Revenues for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased $9.3 million to $497.0 million, compared to $487.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This increase was due to higher revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution,International andEducational Publishing segments, which increased $9.2 million, $4.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, partially offset by a $5.6 million decline in theMedia, Licensing and Advertisingsegment, as compared to the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, revenues decreased $115.4 million to $1,567.4 million, compared to $1,682.8 million in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease related primarily to $135.0 million in lower revenues from theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distributionsegment compared to the prior fiscal year period, which reflected the July 2005 release ofHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, partially offset by a $24.7 million increase in revenues from theInternationalsegment.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues decreased to 48.8% in the quarter ended February 28, 2007, as compared to 50.2% in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to product mix driven by improvements in school-based book clubs. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues decreased to 47.0%, as compared to 49.9% in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to costs related to theHarry Potter release in the prior fiscal year period.
19
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 decreased to 45.5%, as compared to 46.9% in the prior fiscal year quarter, due to reduced employee and employee related expenses related to the Company’s previously announced cost savings initiatives. The $2.3 million decrease in Selling, general and administrative expenses between these periods occurred despite higher severance costs and stock-based compensation expense, which increased by $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in the current year period. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 43.0% from 40.3% in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the prior year revenue benefit fromHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princewithout a corresponding increase in expense.
Bad debt expense increased to $20.5 million, or 4.1% of revenues, for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, compared to $15.7 million, or 3.2% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, bad debt expense increased to $55.7 million, or 3.6% of revenues, compared to $43.4 million, or 2.6% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period. These increases related primarily to higher bad debt in the direct-to-home portion of the Company’s continuity business.
The resulting operating loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 was $7.8 million, compared to an operating loss of $17.8 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, the resulting operating income decreased $19.8 million to $52.5 million, or 3.3% of revenues, from $72.3 million, or 4.3% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period.
Other income was $3.0 million for both the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007, representing a gain from the sale of the Company’s remaining investment in a French publishing company.
The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased to 36.8%, compared to 37.0% in each of the prior fiscal year periods.
Net loss was $7.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, compared to a net loss of $15.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, net income was $20.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to $30.2 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period.
Results of Operations - Segments
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
($ amounts in millions) | | February 28, | | February 28, |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | | | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 280.1 | | | $ | 270.9 | | | $ | 835.4 | | | $ | 970.4 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | 4.4 | | | | (3.2 | ) | | | 36.7 | | | | 65.7 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 1.6 | % | | | * | | | | 4.4 | % | | | 6.8 | % |
* not meaningful
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distributionsegment for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased $9.2 million, or 3.4%, to $280.1 million, compared to $270.9 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Revenues from the Company’s continuity businesses increased $11.7 million, of which approximately $6 million was attributable to new customers in the direct-to-home portion of this business acquired through web-based sales initiatives and approximately $5 million was attributable to higher sales in school-based continuity programs. School-based book fair revenues increased $2.6 million, primarily due to higher revenue per fair. These increases were partially offset by a $4.9 million decrease in school-based book club revenues due to the previously-announced elimination of the Troll®/Carnival® and Trumpet®book clubs.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 was $4.4 million, compared to a $3.2 million operating loss in the prior fiscal year quarter. This improvement was primarily driven by higher operating income in the Company’s school-based book club business due to reduced promotion costs and fulfillment efficiencies that resulted from the Company’s cost savings initiatives, including the elimination of theTroll/Carnival andTrumpet book clubs. This increase was partially offset by a $3.9 million larger operating loss in the Company’s continuity businesses, primarily due to lower operating results in the direct-to-home portion of this business.
Revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased $135.0 million, or 13.9%, to $835.4 million, compared to $970.4 million in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease was substantially due to lowerHarry Potter revenues in the current fiscal year period, which declined by approximately $180 million due to the release ofHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the prior fiscal year period, as well as a $9.4 million decrease in school-based book club revenues due to the previously-announced elimination of theTroll/Carnival andTrumpet book clubs. These declines were partially offset by a $27.9 million increase in revenues from the Company’s continuity businesses principally resulting from new web-based customers in the direct-to-home continuity programs, a $16.6 million increase in school-based book fair revenues primarily attributable to an increase in revenue per fair, and an approximately $10 million increase in non-Harry Potter trade revenues. The elimination of theTroll/Carnival andTrumpet book clubs did not have a more significant impact on segment revenues because of the Company’s successful implementation of its plan to migrate customers from these smaller, less efficient clubs to its core Scholastic-branded clubs.
Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased $29.0 million, or 44.1%, to $36.7 million, compared to $65.7 million in the prior fiscal year period primarily due to the lower Harry Potter revenues in the Company’s trade business, partially offset by an increase in operating income in school-based book clubs.
The following table highlights the results of the direct-to-home portion of the Company’s continuity programs, which is included in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment.
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
($ amounts in millions) | | February 28, | | February 28, |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | | | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 41.3 | | | $ | 34.6 | | | $ | 115.7 | | | $ | 93.0 | |
Operating loss | | | (6.6 | ) | | | (2.5 | ) | | | (17.5 | ) | | | (13.3 | ) |
|
Operating margin | | | * | | | | * | | | | * | | | | * | |
* not meaningful
21
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Revenues from the direct-to-home portion of the Company’s continuity business increased $6.7 million, or 19.4%, to $41.3 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, as compared to $34.6 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, revenues increased $22.7 million, or 24.4%, to $115.7 million as compared to $93.0 million in the prior fiscal year period. These increases were primarily attributable to new web-based customers.
The operating loss for the direct-to-home portion of the continuity business was $6.6 million in the quarter ended February 28, 2007, as compared to $2.5 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, and $17.5 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007, as compared to $13.3 million in the prior fiscal year period. The operating losses in the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2007 were larger compared to the respective prior year periods despite the corresponding revenue increases between those periods substantially due to higher promotion amortization, which increased by $5.9 million and $11.6 million, respectively, and higher bad debt expense, which increased by $3.5 million and $9.6 million, respectively, in the current fiscal year periods, associated with the acquisition of new customers and weaker performance of subsequent programs.
Excluding the direct-to-home portion of the continuity business, segment revenues increased $2.5 million, or 1.1%, to $238.8 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, compared to $236.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, and decreased $157.7 million, or 18.0%, to $719.7 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007, compared to $877.4 million in the prior fiscal year period.
Excluding the direct-to-home portion of the continuity business, segment operating income was $11.0 million in the quarter ended February 28, 2007, compared to an operating loss of $0.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, and segment operating income was $54.2 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007, compared to $79.0 million in the prior fiscal year period.
Educational Publishing
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
($ amounts in millions) | | February 28, | | February 28, |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | | | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 74.6 | | | $ | 73.5 | | | $ | 299.2 | | | $ | 301.0 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | (3.0 | ) | | | (3.5 | ) | | | 46.8 | | | | 45.6 | |
|
Operating margin | | | * | | | | * | | | | 15.6 | % | | | 15.1 | % |
* not meaningful
Revenues in theEducational Publishing segment for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased $1.1 million, or 1.5%, to $74.6 million, compared to $73.5 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Revenues from sales of educational technology products increased $4.7 million, or approximately 27%, led by the Company’sREAD 180® reading intervention program, partially offset by lower revenues from the balance of the segment, including a $1.9 million decrease in library publishing sales. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased by $1.8 million to $299.2 million, compared to $301.0 million in the prior fiscal year period. Revenues from sales of educational technology products increased $13.8 million, but were more than offset by lower revenues from the balance of the segment, including an $11.2 million decrease in revenues from sales of paperback collections and library publishing revenues.
22
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 was $3.0 million, compared to $3.5 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 increased $1.2 million, or 2.6%, to $46.8 million, compared to $45.6 million in the prior fiscal year period. These improvements were primarily due to the higher revenues from sales of educational technology products.
Media, Licensing and Advertising
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
($ amounts in millions) | | February 28, | | February 28, |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | | | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 40.8 | | | $ | 46.4 | | | $ | 113.1 | | | $ | 116.4 | |
Operating income | | | 3.0 | | | | 6.3 | | | | 6.1 | | | | 8.3 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 7.4 | % | | | 13.6 | % | | | 5.4 | % | | | 7.1 | % |
Revenues in the Media, Licensing and Advertising segment for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 decreased $5.6 million, or 12.1%, to $40.8 million, compared to $46.4 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This decrease was due to lower sales of software and multimedia products, which declined by $3.0 million, and lower television programming revenues, which declined by $2.3 million.Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased $3.3 million, or 2.8%, to $113.1 million, compared to $116.4 million in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease was due to a $10.2 million decrease in television programming revenues, partially offset by a $3.0 million increase in revenues from sales of software and multimedia products and a $2.5 million increase in consumer magazine revenues.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 decreased by $3.3 million to $3.0 million, compared to $6.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 decreased by $2.2 million to $6.1 million, compared to $8.3 million in the prior fiscal year period. These decreases were primarily due to lower revenues.
International
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
($ amounts in millions) | | February 28, | | February 28, |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | | | | 2007 | | | | 2006 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 101.5 | | | $ | 96.9 | | | $ | 319.7 | | | $ | 295.0 | |
Operating income | | | 3.5 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 17.8 | | | | 9.6 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 3.4 | % | | | 2.4 | % | | | 5.6 | % | | | 3.3 | % |
Revenues in theInternational segment for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased $4.6 million, or 4.7%, to $101.5 million, compared to $96.9 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to a $3.8 million favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 increased $24.7 million, or 8.4%, to $319.7 million, as compared to $295.0 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to a $12.4 million favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates, as well as revenue growth in Canada equivalent to $7.1 million.
23
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 28, 2007 increased by $1.2 million to $3.5 million, as compared to $2.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 increased by $8.2 million to $17.8 million, compared to $9.6 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to higher operating income in Canada.
Seasonality
The Company’s school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs and most of its magazines operate on a school-year basis. Therefore, the Company’s business is highly seasonal. As a result, the Company’s revenues in the first and third quarters of the fiscal year generally are lower than its revenues in the other two fiscal quarters. Typically, school-based book club and book fair revenues are greatest in the second quarter of the fiscal year, while revenues from the sale of instructional materials and educational technology products are highest in the first quarter. The Company experiences a loss from operations in the first and third quarters of each fiscal year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $29.4 million at February 28, 2007, compared to $219.5 million at February 28, 2006 and $205.3 million at May 31, 2006.
Cash provided by operating activities was $55.4 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 compared to $210.5 in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease was due to lower net income in the current fiscal year period as compared to the prior year period, as well as unfavorable net changes in working capital accounts between the two periods, substantially due to the higherHarry Potter revenues in the prior fiscal year period. The most significant of these working capital account changes occurred in Accrued royalties, which increased $20.7 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007 compared to an increase of $89.2 million in the prior fiscal year period, and Accounts payable and other accrued expenses, which decreased $28.1 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007 compared to a $38.1 million increase in the prior fiscal year period.
Cash used in investing activities was $91.8 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007, compared to $118.0 million in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease was due primarily to an $18.9 million decrease in Additions to property, plant and equipment, which totaled $27.7 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2007 compared to $46.6 million in the prior fiscal year period, principally due to higher information technology spending in the prior period, when the Company implemented a new computer-based order entry, customer service, accounts receivable and collection system.
Cash used in financing activities was $140.4 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $16.2 million in the prior fiscal year period. This change was due principally to the effect of a higher cash position at the beginning of the nine months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the beginning of the prior fiscal year period, along with the repurchase on the open market of approximately $36 million of the 5.75% Notes due January 15, 2007 (the “5.75% Notes”) of Scholastic Corporation (the “Corporation”) during the period, together with the repayment of the balance of the approximately $260 million of 5.75% Notes that remained outstanding, in addition to $7.4 million of accrued interest thereon, at maturity. Net cash borrowings under the Credit Agreement and Revolver (as defined under “Financing” below) increased $138.0 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2007 as compared to the prior fiscal period, as the Company utilized available borrowings under these facilities, as well as cash on hand, to fund the repayment of the 5.75% Notes.
24
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Due to the seasonality of its business as discussed under “Seasonality” above, the Company experiences negative cash flow in the June through October time period. As a result of the Company’s business cycle, seasonal borrowings have historically increased during June, July and August, have generally peaked in September or October, and have been at their lowest point in May.
The Company’s operating philosophy is to use cash provided from operating activities to create value by paying down debt, reinvesting in existing businesses and, from time to time, by making acquisitions that will complement its portfolio of businesses. Historically, the Company has financed its operations and met its capital requirements primarily through funds generated from operations, the issuance of debt in the public markets and borrowings from lending institutions. As of February 28, 2007, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments, of $29.4 million and borrowings remaining available under the Credit Agreement and Revolver totaling $92.0 million. The Company believes that it has sufficient working capital and liquidity to support its operations, repay indebtedness upon maturity, and continue to make investments in its businesses, both over the next fiscal year and for the foreseeable future. However, should additional capital be needed, including to fund future investment or acquisition activity, the Company may seek to raise additional capital through various debt or other offerings. The Company believes it has adequate access to this capital; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise additional capital on terms that are favorable to the Company.
During the quarter ended August 31, 2006, the Company’s credit rating was downgraded from BB+ to BB by Standard & Poor’s and from Baa3 to Ba1 by Moody’s Investor Service. Under prevailing market conditions, the Company believes that these ratings afford it adequate access to the public and private markets for debt.
Financing
Scholastic Corporation and its principal operating subsidiary, Scholastic Inc., are parties to an unsecured revolving credit agreement with certain banks (the “Credit Agreement”), which expires on March 31, 2009. The Credit Agreement provides for aggregate borrowings of up to $190.0 million (with a right in certain circumstances to increase borrowings to $250.0 million), including the issuance of up to $10.0 million in letters of credit. Interest under this facility is either (i) at the prime rate or (ii) a rate ranging from 0.325% over LIBOR (as defined) to 0.975% over LIBOR. There is a facility fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.30% and a utilization fee ranging from 0.05% to 0.25% if borrowings exceed 50% of the total facility. The amounts charged vary based upon the Company’s credit rating. The interest rate, facility fee and utilization fee (when applicable) as of February 28, 2007 were 0.975% over LIBOR, 0.30% and 0.25%, respectively. The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including debt and interest coverage ratios (as defined), and limits dividends and other distributions. At February 28, 2007, $98.0 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement at a weighted average interest rate of 6.5%. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at February 28, 2006 or May 31, 2006.
25
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Scholastic Corporation and Scholastic Inc. are joint and several borrowers under an unsecured revolving loan agreement with a bank (the “Revolver”). The Revolver provides for unsecured revolving credit of up to $40.0 million and expires on March 31, 2009. Interest under this facility is either (i) at the prime rate minus 1% or (ii) at a rate ranging from 0.375% over LIBOR (as defined) to 1.025% over LIBOR. There is a facility fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.30%. The amounts charged vary based upon the Company’s credit rating. The interest rate and facility fee as of February 28, 2007 were 1.025% over LIBOR and 0.30%, respectively. The Revolver contains certain covenants, including debt and interest coverage ratios (as defined), and limits dividends and other distributions. At February 28, 2007, $40.0 million was outstanding under the Revolver at a weighted average interest rate of 6.4%. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolver at February 28, 2006 or May 31, 2006.
The Credit Agreement and Revolver allow the Company to borrow, repay or, to the extent permitted by the agreements, prepay and re-borrow at any time prior to the stated maturity dates and subject to the terms and conditions of the facilities. The increases in borrowings under the Credit Agreement and Revolver at the end of the current year period compared to the prior year periods were primarily due to the repayment of the outstanding 5.75% Notes at maturity in January 2007. At February 28, 2007, the Company was in compliance with its covenants under each of these facilities.
Unsecured lines of credit available in local currencies to certain of Scholastic Corporation’s international subsidiaries were, in the aggregate, equivalent to $66.2 million at February 28, 2007, as compared to $65.4 million at February 28, 2006 and $67.9 million at May 31, 2006. These lines are used primarily to fund local working capital needs. There were borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit equivalent to $34.7 million at February 28, 2007 as compared to $30.6 million at February 28, 2006 and $33.8 million at May 31, 2006. These lines of credit are considered short-term in nature. The weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings was 5.9% and 5.7% at February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 6.0% at May 31, 2006.
The Company’s total debt obligations at February 28, 2007, May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 were $346.1 million, $502.4 million and $500.0 million, respectively. The lower level of total debt at February 28, 2007 compared to the levels at the end of the prior year periods was substantially due to the repayment of the approximately $260 million of 5.75% Notes that remained outstanding at maturity in January 2007, as discussed in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.
For a more complete description of the Company’s debt obligations, see Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Prior to June 1, 2006, the Company applied the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”), and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Under this method, no compensation expense was recognized with respect to options granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, as the exercise price of each stock option issued was equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant and the exercise price and number of shares subject to grant were fixed.
26
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
In May 2006, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which consists entirely of independent directors, approved the acceleration of the vesting of all unvested options to purchase the Corporation’s Class A Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Stock”), and the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “CommonStock”), outstanding as of May 30, 2006 granted to employees (including executive officers) and outside directors of the Corporation (the “Acceleration”). Except for the Acceleration, all other terms and conditions applicable to such stock options were unchanged. Substantially all of these options had exercise prices in excess of the market value of the underlying Common Stock on May 30, 2006. The primary purpose of the Acceleration was to mitigate the future compensation expense that the Company would have otherwise recognized in its financial statements with respect to these options as a result of the adoption by the Company of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), effective June 1, 2006.
The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, which revises SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” using the modified prospective method. SFAS 123R requires the Company to recognize the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for any stock-based awards. Under SFAS 123R, the Company recognizes compensation expense over an award’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, based on the award’s fair value at the date of grant.
The fair values of stock options granted by the Company are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company’s determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards using this option-pricing model is affected by the price of the Common Stock as well as by assumptions regarding highly complex and subjective variables, including, but not limited to, the expected price volatility of the Common Stock over the terms of the awards, the risk-free interest rate, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that may ultimately be realized by employees or directors who receive these awards.
For a more complete description of the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, see Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the conditions of the children’s book and educational materials markets and acceptance of the Company’s products within those markets, and other risks and factors identified in this Report, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2006, and from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated.
27
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company conducts its business in various foreign countries, and as such, its cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Management believes that the impact of currency fluctuations does not represent a significant risk to the Company given the size and scope of its current international operations. The Company manages its exposures to this market risk through internally established procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of short-term forward exchange contracts. All foreign exchange hedging transactions are supported by an identifiable commitment or a forecasted transaction. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions or use other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates, which are managed through the mix of variable-rate versus fixed-rate borrowings. Additionally, financial instruments, including swap agreements, have been used to manage interest rate exposures. Approximately 50% of the Company’s debt at February 28, 2007 bore interest at a variable rate and was sensitive to changes in interest rates, compared to approximately 7% at May 31, 2006 and approximately 6% at February 28, 2006, with the higher level at the end of the current fiscal year period due to utilization of available borrowings under the Credit Agreement and Revolver, which are variable rate instruments, to repay the outstanding 5.75% Notes at maturity in January 2007. The Company is subject to the risk that market interest rates and its cost of borrowing may increase and thereby increase the interest charged under its variable-rate debt, as well as the risk that variable-rate borrowings may represent a larger portion of total debt in the future.
Additional information relating to the Company’s outstanding financial instruments is included in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The following table sets forth information about the Company’s debt instruments as of February 28, 2007 (see Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements”):
($ amounts in millions) | | Fiscal Year Maturity |
|
| | | 2007 | | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | Thereafter | | | | Total |
|
Debt Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lines of credit | | $ | 34.7 | | | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 34.7 |
Average interest rate | | | 5.9 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed-rate debt | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | | $ | 175.0 | | | $ | 175.0 |
Variable-rate debt | | | | | | | | | $ | 138.0 | (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 138.0 |
Average interest rate | | | | | | | | | | 6.4 | % | | | | | | | | | 5.0 | % | | | |
|
(1) | Represents amounts drawn on the Revolver and the Credit Agreement, which have credit lines totaling $230.0 and expire in fiscal 2009. |
|
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, after conducting an evaluation, together with other members of the Company's management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of February 28, 2007, have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and accumulated and communicated to members of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There was no change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
29
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 6. Exhibits
| |
| Exhibits: |
| | |
| 10.1 | Agreement between Maureen O’Connell and Scholastic Inc., dated February 12, 2007, regarding employment. |
|
| 10.2 | Agreement between Mary A. Winston and Scholastic Inc., dated January 16, 2007, with regard to certain severance arrangements. |
|
| 10.3 | Amendment No. 4 to the Scholastic Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan, dated as of March 21, 2007. |
|
| 10.4 | Amendment No. 2 to the Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 20, 2007. |
|
| 10.5 | Amendment No. 3 to the Scholastic Corporation 2004 Class A Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 20, 2007. |
|
| 31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
| 31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
| 32 | Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
30
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
| | |
| | SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
| | (Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
Date: March 30, 2007 | | /s/ Richard Robinson |
| |
|
| | Richard Robinson |
| | Chairman of the Board, |
| | President and Chief |
| | Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
Date: March 30, 2007 | | /s/ Maureen O’Connell |
| |
|
| | Maureen O’Connell |
| | Executive Vice President, |
| | Chief Administrative Officer and |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer and |
| | Chief Accounting Officer) |
31
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2007
Exhibits Index
Exhibit | |
Number | Description of Document |
| | | |
| 10.1 | | Agreement between Maureen O’Connell and Scholastic Inc., dated February 12, 2007, regarding employment. |
|
| 10.2 | | Agreement between Mary A. Winston and Scholastic Inc., dated January 16, 2007, with regard to certain severance arrangements. |
|
| 10.3 | | Amendment No. 4 to the Scholastic Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan, dated as of March 21, 2007. |
|
| 10.4 | | Amendment No. 2 to the Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 20, 2007. |
|
| 10.5 | | Amendment No. 3 to the Scholastic Corporation 2004 Class A Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 20, 2007. |
|
| 31.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
| 31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
| 32 | | Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
32