Upon adoption, the Company recognized a $34.0 increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, a $27.6 increase in deferred tax assets, and a $6.4 reduction to the June 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. As of June 1, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $40.2, of which $5.7 and $0.6 represented accruals for potential payments of interest and penalties, respectively. Of this total, $12.7 represented the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate favorably. There have been no material changes to the liability for uncertain tax positions for the nine months ended February 29, 2008. The Company does not currently anticipate a material change to its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of February 29, 2008; however, actual developments can change these expectations. The Company’s policy is to classify potential liabilities for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of its income tax provision. During the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the Company recognized $1.4 of income tax expense for accruals for potential payments of interest and penalties.
The Company’s provision for income taxes with respect to continuing operations resulted in an effective tax rate of 38.1% and 35.9% for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was primarily attributable to the adoption of FIN 48, effective as of June 1, 2007, which increased the tax rate in the current fiscal year period by 110 basis points, or 1.1%, and certain tax credits affecting only the prior fiscal year, which reduced the effective tax rate in that period by 230 basis points, or 2.3% .
As discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” the Company recorded tax benefits of $37.3 and $42.8 for each of the three and nine month periods ended February 29, 2008, respectively. The tax benefit recognized was composed primarily of deferred tax assets recorded, or deferred tax liabilities reduced, with respect to the non-cash impairment charge of $107.3.
The Corporation, including its domestic subsidiaries, files a consolidated U.S. income tax return, and also files tax returns in various states and other local jurisdictions. Also, certain subsidiaries of the Corporation file income tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The Company is routinely audited by various tax authorities. The Company believes it is no longer subject to an income tax assessment by the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the years ended on or before May 31, 2003 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The Company has been selected for audit by the IRS for its fiscal years ended May 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Company’s principal operations are located in New York City. The Company is also currently under audit by both New York State and New York City for fiscal years ended May 2002, 2003 and 2004. It is possible that federal, state and foreign tax examinations will be settled during the next twelve months. If any of these tax examinations are concluded within that period, the Company will make any necessary adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits.
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 historically its second smallest revenue period. Revenues from continuing operations for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $12.4 million, or 2.8%, over the prior fiscal year quarter as a result of higher revenues in theInternational, Educational Publishing andMedia, Licensing and Advertising segments, partially offset by lower revenue in theChildren’s Book Publishingand Distribution segment. Operating income from continuing operations for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 was $0.6 million compared to an operating loss of $2.0 million from continuing operations in the prior year quarter. Operating results improved in the Company’s school-based book fair and trade businesses, which are reported within theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, and in the Educational Publishing andInternational segments. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, revenues and operating income from continuing operations increased by $279.9 million and $85.7 million, respectively, primarily due toHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book of the seven book series, which was released on July 21, 2007.
During the quarter, the Company moved forward with its previously announced plan to sell its direct-to-home continuities business (the “DTH business”), including the domestic portion and the international portion based in Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as a warehousing and distribution facility located in Maumelle, Arkansas (the “Maumelle Facility”), and the DTH business was reclassified as discontinued operations for accounting purposes. In connection with that reclassification, the Company recorded a non-cash write-down of long-lived assets as well as certain current assets related to the DTH business of $72.7 million, net of tax, to the respective fair value, less cost to sell. The Company’s goal is to substantially complete the sale of the DTH business by May 31, 2008.
With regard to its continuing operations, the Company continues to make progress toward achieving its goals for fiscal 2008, which included making planned investments toward long term revenue growth and margin improvement, particularly in theEducational Publishing andChildren’s Book PublishingandDistributionsegments.
Results of Continuing Operations
Revenues for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased to $458.4 million, compared to $446.0 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This increase was due to higher revenues in theInternational, Educational Publishing andMedia, Licensing and Advertising segments, which increased by $16.8 million, $3.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, partially offset by a $9.1 million decline in revenues from theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, as compared to the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, revenues increased by 19.7% to $1,701.4 million, compared to $1,421.5 million in the prior fiscal year period, due to higher revenues in each of the Company’s four operating segments, led by theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, which rose by $213.3 million principally as a result of the July 2007 release ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and theInternational segment, which rose by $56.7 million, as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
Cost of goods sold for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 was $225.6 million, or 49.2% of revenues, as compared to $223.0 million, or 50.0% of revenues in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, cost of goods sold increased to $828.8 million, or 48.7% of revenues, compared to $680.1 million, or 47.8% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to costs related to the release ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $211.1 million, or 46.1% of revenues, in the quarter ended February 29, 2008, as compared to $201.6 million, or 45.2% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year quarter primarily due to the planned investments in the sales and service organizations in theEducational Publishingsegment. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $655.9 million from $607.9 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to costs related to the Harry Potter release in July 2007. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 38.6% for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 from 42.8% in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the revenue benefit fromHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows without a proportionate increase in expense.
Bad debt expense decreased to $6.3 million, or 1.4% of revenues, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008, compared to $8.7 million, or 1.9% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, bad debt expense decreased to $17.9 million, or 1.1% of revenues, compared to $20.6 million, or 1.4% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period.
The resulting operating income for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 was $0.6 million, compared to an operating loss of $2.0 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, the resulting operating income increased to $152.6 million, or 9.0% of revenues, compared to $66.9 million, or 4.7% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period.
Other expense was $0.9 million for both the three and nine months ended February 29, 2008, representing expense associated with the early termination of one of the Company’s subleases. 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 Company’s provision for income taxes with respect to continuing operations resulted in an effective tax rate of 38.1% and 35.9% for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was primarily attributable to the adoption of FIN 48, effective as of June 1, 2007, which increased the tax rate in the current fiscal year period by 110 basis points, or 1.1%, and certain tax credits affecting only the prior fiscal year, which reduced the effective tax rate in that period by 230 basis points, or 2.3%.
15
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Loss from continuing operations was $4.6 million, or $0.12 per share, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, earnings from continuing operations was $78.8 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to $29.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period.
Net loss was $82.1 million, or $2.14 per share, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008, compared to $7.7 million, or $0.18 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter, substantially due to the write-down of certain assets associated with the reclassification of the DTH business as discontinued operations. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, net loss was $9.3 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to net income of $20.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period. The weighted average shares of Class A Stock and Common Stock outstanding, which is used to calculate earnings or loss per share, were lower as of February 29, 2008 compared to February 28, 2007 primarily due to an accelerated share repurchase agreement entered into by the Corporation on June 1, 2007 (the “ASR”), as more fully discussed in Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
Results of Continuing Operations - Segments
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution
($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
|
| | February 29, | | February 28, | | February 29, | | February 28, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 229.7 | | | $ | 238.8 | | | $ | 933.0 | | | $ | 719.7 | |
Operating income | | | 10.2 | | | | 9.3 | | | | 127.9 | | | | 48.8 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 4.4 | % | | | 3.9 | % | | | 13.7 | % | | | 6.8 | % |
Revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 decreased by $9.1 million to $229.7 million, as compared to $238.8 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Within the segment, revenues from the Company’s school-based continuity business declined by $10.4 million due to lower post-enrollment sales, and revenues from school-based book clubs declined by $7.6 million, primarily due to a lower number of orders, which reflected the elimination of certain less profitable mailings. These declines were partially offset by a $5.1 million increase in school-based book fair revenues, primarily related to higher fair count, and a $3.8 million increase in trade revenues, primarily due to higher Harry Potter revenues.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $0.9 million to $10.2 million, as compared to $9.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to the higher revenues in the Company’s school-based book fairs business.
Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $213.3 million to $933.0 million, as compared to $719.7 million in the prior fiscal year period. This increase was principally due to higher Harry Potter revenues in the Company’s trade business, which totaled approximately $260 million in the current fiscal year period as compared to approximately $15 million in the prior fiscal year period, partially offset by an $18.9 million decrease in revenues in the Company’s school-based book club business due to the elimination of certain less profitable mailings and a $14.4 million decrease in revenues from the Company’s school-based continuity business due to lower enrollments.
Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 improved by $79.1 million to $127.9 million, as compared to $48.8 million in the prior fiscal year period. This improvement was primarily due to the higher Harry Potter revenues in the Company’s trade business.
Educational Publishing
($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
|
| | February 29, | | February 28, | | February 29, | | February 28, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
|
|
Revenues | | $ | 78.1 | | | $ | 74.6 | | | $ | 305.5 | | | $ | 299.2 | |
Operating (loss) income | | | (0.6 | ) | | | (3.1 | ) | | | 42.2 | | | | 46.5 | |
|
Operating margin | | | * | | | | * | | | | 13.8 | % | | | 15.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* not meaningful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues in theEducational Publishing segment for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $3.5 million, or 4.7%, to $78.1 million, as compared to $74.6 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarilydue to higher revenues from sales of print products. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $6.3 million, or 2.1%, to $305.5 million, as compared to $299.2 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to incremental revenues from school consulting and professional development services.
16
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 was $0.6 million, as compared to an operating loss of $3.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, due to improved product mix. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 decreased by $4.3 million, or 9.2%, to $42.2 million, compared to $46.5 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to planned investments in the sales and service organizations in the current fiscal year period.
Media, Licensing and Advertising
($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
|
| | February 29, | | February 28, | | February 29, | | February 28, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
|
Revenues | | $ | 42.0 | | | $ | 40.8 | | | $ | 116.7 | | | $ | 113.1 | |
Operating income | | | 2.2 | | | | 3.0 | | | | 8.0 | | | | 6.0 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 5.2 | % | | | 7.4 | % | | | 6.9 | % | | | 5.3 | % |
Revenues in theMedia, Licensing and Advertising segment for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $1.2 million, or 2.9%, to $42.0 million, compared to $40.8 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to an increase in revenues from Back to Basics Toys®, the Company’s catalog toy business. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $3.6 million, or 3.2%, to $116.7 million, as compared to $113.1 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to an increase in revenues from sales of software and interactive products sold through the Company’s school-based book fairs.
Segment operating income decreased by $0.8 million to $2.2 million for the quarter ended February 29, 2008, as compared to $3.0 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, despite the increase in revenues, primarily due to higher fulfillment and shipping costs in the Back to Basics Toys business caused by a third-party operational issue. Segment operating income increased by $2.0 million to $8.0 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008, as compared to $6.0 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to increased revenues from sales of software and interactive products.
International
($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended | | Nine months ended |
|
| | February 29, | | February 28, | | February 29, | | February 28, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
|
Revenues | | $ | 108.6 | | | $ | 91.8 | | | $ | 346.2 | | | $ | 289.5 | |
Operating income | | | 5.3 | | | | 4.4 | | | | 28.6 | | | | 20.5 | |
|
Operating margin | | | 4.9 | % | | | 4.8 | % | | | 8.3 | % | | | 7.1 | % |
Revenues in theInternational segment for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $16.8 million to $108.6 million, compared to $91.8 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $10.1 million and local currency revenue growth equivalent to $6.7 million, principally in the United Kingdom trade business. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $56.7 million to $346.2 million, as compared to $289.5 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $32.0 million, higher revenues from the Company’s export business of $6.8 million, and local currency revenue growth in the United Kingdom and Australia equivalent to $10.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 29, 2008 increased by $0.9 million to $5.3 million, as compared to $4.4 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to higher operating income from the United Kingdom. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 increased by $8.1 million to $28.6 million, as compared to $20.5 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to higher operating income from Australia and the United Kingdom, which increased by the equivalent of $3.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
17
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
Results of Discontinued Operations
During the three months ended February 29, 2008, the Company announced that it intends to sell the DTH business, which includes both the domestic portion and the international portion located in the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as the Maumelle Facility. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”), the results of operations for the DTH business are presented separately in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities of the DTH business are treated as held for sale. SFAS 144 requires write-downs of the carrying value of assets held for sale if the carrying value exceeds their estimated fair value, less cost to sell. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $107.3 million and a tax benefit of $34.6 million, resulting in a charge of $72.7 million, net of tax, during the quarter ended February 29, 2008 to reflect the DTH business at its estimated fair value less cost to sell. The calculation of estimated fair value less cost to sell included significant estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to: operating projections and the discount rate and terminal values developed in connection with the discounted cash flow; excess working capital levels; real estate fair values; and the anticipated costs involved in the selling process. In addition, as a result of the Company’s decision to sell the DTH business, the Company prepared separate financial statements reflecting the discontinued operations presentation, which required management to make significant judgments and estimates for purposes of allocating to the discontinued operations certain operating expenses, such as warehousing and distribution expenses, as well as assets, liabilities and other balance sheet items, including accounts payable and certain other noncurrent liabilities.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $77.5 million, or $2.02 per share, for the quarter ended February 29, 2008, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.09 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 29, 2008, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $88.1 million, or $2.23 per share, compared to $9.2 million, or $0.22 per share, in the prior fiscal year. The higher losses in each of the current year periods versus the comparable prior year periods were substantially related to the write-down of assets required by SFAS 144.
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 generally 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, including the cash of the discontinued operations, totaled $201.2 million at February 29, 2008, compared to $22.8 million at May 31, 2007 and $29.4 million at February 28, 2007.
Cash provided by operating activities was $308.5 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008, as compared to $42.7 million in the prior fiscal year period. This increase was due to a $49.1 million improvement in earnings from continuing operations and working capital changes between the two periods, substantially due to the higher Harry Potter revenues in the current fiscal year. The most significant of these working capital changes that had a positive effect on cash flows occurred in Accrued royalties, which provided cash of $117.6 million in the current fiscal year period compared to $20.6 million in the prior fiscal year period; Accounts payable and other accrued expenses, which provided cash of $34.1 million in the current fiscal year period compared to a use of cash of $31.2 million in the prior fiscal year period; and Accounts receivable, which provided cash of $9.1 million in the current fiscal year period compared to a use of cash of $21.3 million in the prior fiscal year period. Substantially all accrued expenses associated with Harry Potter revenues are expected to be paid by the Company in the quarter ending May 31, 2008.
Cash used in investing activities increased to $80.3 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 from $67.9 million for the prior fiscal year period, reflecting increased prepublication expenditures for new product development in theEducational Publishing segment.
Cash used in financing activities was $42.6 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2008, compared to $140.4 million for the prior fiscal year period. This $97.8 million change was due to higher proceeds pursuant to stock-based compensation plans in the current fiscal year period, which provided $33.3 million of cash as compared to $21.5 million in the prior fiscal year period,and the repurchase in the open market and repayment at maturity of an aggregate of $294.0 million of the Corporation’s then-outstanding 5.75% Notes due January 15, 2007 (the “5.75% Notes”) during the prior fiscal year period, offset by net repayments of revolving credit facilities in the current fiscal year period equal to $56.2 million as compared to net borrowings under revolving credit facilities in the prior fiscal year period equal to $138.8 million. In addition, during the current fiscal year period, the Company used the $200.0 million proceeds from the Term Loan (as described under “Financing” below) to fund the reacquisition by the Corporation of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the ASR and used an additional $5.4 million for open market reacquisitions of Common Stock, as discussed below.
Due to the seasonal nature of its business as discussed under “Seasonality” above, the Company usually experiences negative cash flows in the June through October time period. As a result of the Company’s business cycle, 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, making acquisitions that will complement its portfolio of businesses. The Company believes that funds generated by its operations and funds available under its current credit facilities will be sufficient to finance its short-and long-term capital requirements.
18
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
As of February 29, 2008, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments, of $201.2 million and borrowings remaining available under the Revolving Loan (as described under “Financing” below) totaling $325.0 million. The Company may at any time, but in any event not more than once in any calendar year, request that the aggregate availability of credit under the Revolving Loan be increased by an amount of $10.0 million or an integral multiple of $10.0 million (but not to exceed $150.0 million).
The Company believes it has adequate access to capital to finance its ongoing operating needs and to repay its debt obligations as they become due. As of February 29, 2008, the Company was rated BB by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Ba1 by Moody’s Investors Service. Under prevailing market conditions, the Company believes that these ratings afford it adequate access to the public and private markets for debt.
Financing
On June 1, 2007, Scholastic Corporation and Scholastic Inc. (each, a “Borrower” and together, the “Borrowers”) elected to replace the Company’s then-existing credit facilities, the Credit Agreement and the Revolver (as discussed below), with a new $525.0 million credit facility with certain banks (the “Loan Agreement”), consisting of a $325.0 million revolving credit component (the “Revolving Loan”) and a $200.0 million amortizing term loan component (the “Term Loan”). The Loan Agreement is a contractually committed unsecured credit facility that is scheduled to expire on June 1, 2012. The $325.0 million Revolving Loan component allows the Company to borrow, repay or prepay and reborrow at any time prior to the stated maturity date, and the proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes, including financing for acquisitions and share repurchases. The Loan Agreement also provides for an increase in the aggregate Revolving Loan commitments of the lenders of up to an additional $150.0 million. The $200.0 million Term Loan component was established in order to fund the reacquisition by the Corporation of shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the ASR (as more fully described in Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements-Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements”) and was fully drawn on June 28, 2007 in connection with that transaction. The Term Loan, which may be prepaid at any time without penalty, requires quarterly principal payments of $10.7 million, with the first payment made on December 31, 2007, and a final payment of $7.4 million due on June 1, 2012. Interest on both the Term Loan and Revolving Loan is due and payable in arrears on the last day of the interest period (defined as the period commencing on the date of the advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower at the time each advance is made). At the election of the Borrower, the interest rate charged for each loan made under the Loan Agreement is based on (1) a rate equal to the higher of (a) the prime rate or (b) the prevailing Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% or (2) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, ranging from 0.50% to 1.25% based on the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio. As of February 29, 2008, the applicable margin on the Term Loan was 0.875 % and the applicable margin on the Revolving Loan was 0.70 %. The Loan Agreement also provides for the payment of a facility fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.25% per annum on the Revolving Loan only, which at February 29, 2008 was 0.175 %. As of February 29, 2008, $189.3 million was outstanding under the Term Loan at an interest rate of 4.0 %. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Loan as of February 29, 2008. The Loan Agreement contains certain covenants, including interest coverage and leverage ratio tests and certain limitations on the amount of dividends and other distributions, and at February 29, 2008 the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
The Credit Agreement was a $190.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with certain banks that was scheduled to expire in 2009 but was terminated, along with the Revolver, at the election of the Borrowers as of June 1, 2007 and replaced by the Loan Agreement. The interest rate charged for all loans made under the Credit Agreement was, at the election of the Borrower, based on the prime rate or, alternatively, an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, ranging from 0.325% to 0.975% . The Credit Agreement also provided for the payment of a facility fee in the range of 0.10% to 0.30% and a utilization fee, if total borrowings exceeded 50% of the total facility, in the range of 0.05% to 0.25% . The amounts charged varied based on the Company’s published credit ratings. The margin, facility fee and utilization fee at each of February 28, 2007 and May 31, 2007 were 0.975%, 0.30% and 0.25%, respectively. 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 outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement at May 31, 2007.
The Revolver was a $40.0 million unsecured revolving loan agreement with a bank that was scheduled to expire in 2009 but was terminated, along with the Credit Agreement, at the election of the Borrowers as of June 1, 2007 and replaced with the Loan Agreement. The interest rate charged for all loans made under the Revolver was set at either (1) the prime lending rate minus 1% or (2) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, ranging from 0.375% to 1.025% . The Revolver also provided for the payment of a facility fee in the range of 0.10% to 0.30% . The amounts charged varied based on the Company’s published credit ratings. The margin and facility fee at each of February 28, 2007 and May 31, 2007 were 1.025% and 0.30%, respectively. At February 28, 2007, $40.0 million was outstanding under the Revolver at a weighted average of 6.4% . There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolver at May 31, 2007.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company entered into unsecured money market bid rate credit lines totaling $50.0 million, of which $41.0 million was outstanding at May 31, 2007. There were no outstanding borrowings under these credit lines at February 29, 2008. All loans made under these credit lines are at the sole discretion of the lender and at an interest rate and term, not to exceed 364 days, agreed to at the time each loan is made. The weighted average interest rate for all money market bid rate loans outstanding on May 31, 2007 was 6.2% . These credit lines are typically available for loans up to 364 days and may be renewed, if requested by the Company, at the sole option of the lender.
As of February 29, 2008, the Company had various local currency credit lines, with maximum available borrowings in amounts equivalent to $74.4 million, underwritten by banks primarily in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. These credit lines are typically available for overdraft borrowings or loans up to 364 days and may be renewed, if requested by the Company, at the sole option of the lender. There were borrowings outstanding under these facilities equivalent to $10.7 million at February 29, 2008 at a weighted average interest rate of 7.5% as compared to the equivalent of $25.2 million at May 31, 2007 at a weighted average interest rate of 7.0% and the equivalent of $34.7 million at February 28, 2007 at a weighted average interest rate of 5.9 %.
19
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
At February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company had open standby letters of credit of $8.4 million issued under certain credit lines, as compared to $13.0 million at February 28, 2007. These letters of credit are scheduled to expire within one year; however, the Company expects that substantially all of these letters of credit will be renewed, at similar terms, prior to expiration.
The Company’s total debt obligations were $373.6 million at February 29, 2008, $239.6 million at May 31, 2007 and $346.1 million at February 28, 2007. The higher level of debt at February 29, 2008 compared to the levels at both May 31, 2007 and February 28, 2007 was primarily due to the $200.0 million Term Loan drawn to finance the ASR in June 2007, partially offset by the reduced borrowing requirements of the Company in the current fiscal year period resulting from the higher Harry Potter receipts during the period and the favorable timing of the payment of associated accrued royalties. The higher level of debt at February 28, 2007 compared to May 31, 2007 was due to higher borrowings under revolving credit facilities in connection with the repayment of the $258.0 million of 5.75% Notes that remained outstanding at maturity in January 2007.
For a more complete description of the Company’s debt obligations, see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements –Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
New Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and states that a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. SFAS 157 will become effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 157 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”), to provide companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The objective of SFAS 159 is to reduce both the complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS 159 will become effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 159 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquiror accounts for business combinations. SFAS 141R includes guidance for the recognition and measurement of the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling or minority interest in the acquiree. It also provides guidance for the measurement of goodwill, the recognition of contingent consideration, the accounting for pre-acquisition gain and loss contingencies and acquisition-related transaction costs, and the recognition of changes in the acquiror’s income tax valuation allowance. SFAS 141R applies prospectively and is effective for business combinations made by the Company beginning June 1, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to establish accounting and reporting standards for any noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements and requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolled interest. SFAS 160 is effective for the Company beginning June 1, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which upon adoption will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 provides guidance on recognizing, measuring, presenting, and disclosing in the financial statements uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to file in a tax return. FIN 48 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Prior to the issuance of FIN 48, an uncertain tax position would not be recorded unless it was “probable” that a loss or reduction of benefits would occur. Under FIN 48, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified as noncurrent unless the liability is expected to be settled in cash within twelve months of the reporting date. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective as of June 1, 2007.
Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized an increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $34 million, including approximately $6 million accrued for potential payments of interest and penalties, as more fully described in Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
Other than the adoption of FIN 48, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies as set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007 (the “Annual Report”).
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. MD&A
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 Annual Report 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.
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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 54% of the Company’s debt at February 29, 2008 bore interest at a variable rate and was sensitive to changes in interest rates, compared to approximately 28% at May 31, 2007 and approximately 50% at February 28, 2007. The increase in variable-rate debt as of February 29, 2008 compared to May 31, 2007 was primarily due to the $200.0 million variable-rate Term Loan drawn to finance the ASR in June 2007. The Company is subject to the risk that market interest rates and its cost of borrowing will increase and thereby increase the interest charged under its variable-rate debt.
Additional information relating to the Company’s outstanding financial instruments is included in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The following table sets forth information about the Company’s debt instruments as of February 29, 2008 (see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements”):
($ amounts in millions) | | Fiscal Year Maturity |
|
| | | 2008 | | | | 2009 | | | | 2010 | | | | 2011 | | | | 2012 | | | Thereafter | | | | Total | |
|
|
Debt Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lines of credit | | $ | 10.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10.7 | |
Average interest rate | | | 7.5 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Long-term debt including current portion: | | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed-rate debt | | | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 175.0 | | | $ | 175.0 | |
Average interest rate | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5.0 | % | | | | |
|
Variable-rate debt | | $ | 10.7 | | | $ | 42.8 | | | $ | 42.8 | | | $ | 42.8 | | | $ | 42.8 | | | $ | 7.4 | (1) | | $ | 189.3 | |
Average interest rate(2) | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | | |
|
(1) | Represents the final payment under the Term Loan, which has a final maturity of June 1, 2012 but may be repaid at any time. |
|
(2) | Represents the interest rate under the Term Loan at February 29, 2008; the interest rate is subject to change over the life of the Term Loan. |
|
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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 29, 2008, 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 29, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For information concerning previously reported actions filed by each of the Alaska Laborers Employee Retirement Fund and Paul Baicu, which were consolidated on November 8, 2007 and entitledAlaska Laborers Employment Retirement Fund v. Scholastic Corporation, see “Part II – Other Information, Item 1. Legal Proceedings” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 31, 2007.
For information concerning a previously reported action entitledRoot v. Scholastic Corporation, see “Part II – Other Information, Item 1. Legal Proceedings” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2007.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation during the quarter ended February 29, 2008:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | Total number of shares | | | |
| | | | | | | | purchased as part of publicly | | Maximum number of shares (or |
| | Total number of | | Average price | | announced plans | | approximate dollar value) that may yet be |
Period | | shares purchased | | paid per share | | or programs | | purchased under the plans or programs |
|
December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 | | None | | | $ | — | | None | | $20.0 | (1) |
|
January 1, 2008 through January 31, 2008 | | 167,199 | | | $ | 32.53 | | 167,199 | | $14.6 | (1) |
|
February 1, 2008 through February 29, 2008 | | None | | | $ | — | | None | | $14.6 | (1) |
|
Total | | 167,199 | | | $ | 32.53 | | 167,199 | | $14.6 | (1) |
|
(1) | On December 20, 2007, the Corporation announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a program to repurchase up to $20.0 million of Common Stock, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or through negotiated private transactions. |
|
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits:
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. |
|
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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: April 9, 2008 | | By: | /s/ Richard Robinson |
|
|
|
| | | Richard Robinson |
| | | Chairman of the Board, |
| | | President and Chief |
| | | Executive Officer |
|
|
|
Date: April 9, 2008 | | | s/ Maureen O’Connell |
|
|
|
| | | Maureen O’Connell |
| | | Executive Vice President, |
| | | Chief Administrative Officer |
| | | and Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Principal Financial Officer) |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, DATED FEBRUARY 29, 2008
Exhibits Index
| | |
Exhibit | | |
Number | | Description of Document |
| | |
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. |
| | |
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