The Company calculates its interim income tax provision in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” and FASB Interpretation No. 18, “Accounting for Income Taxes in Interim Periods” (“FIN 18”). In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known and applies that rate to its ordinary year to date earnings or losses. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income and statutory tax rates and takes into consideration permanent differences between financial statement and tax return income applicable to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The effect of discrete items, such as changes in estimates, changes in enacted tax laws or rates or tax status, and unusual or infrequently occurring events, is recognized in the interim period in which the discrete item occurs. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the result of new judicial interpretations or regulatory or tax law changes.
The Company anticipates a full fiscal year tax rate ranging between 40% and 42% for continuing operations for the current fiscal year, exclusive of discrete items. The Company’s expected full year effective tax rate excluding discrete items exceeds statutory rates primarily as a result of net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions, mainly in the UK, where the Company does not expect to realize future tax benefits. As a result, valuation allowances are provided for the net operating loss carry forwards in these jurisdictions. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s operations and discrete items, current period effective tax rates are not meaningful.
The Company recognizes tax benefits of uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). The Company does not currently anticipate a material change to its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of August 31, 2009; however, actual developments can change these expectations, including settlement of audits.
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 is currently engaged in an IRS examination for the fiscal years ended May 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Company is also currently under audit by both New York State and New York City for its 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 settled within that period, the Company will make any necessary adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits.
On September 23, 2009, the Company announced that the Board had declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share payable on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record of the Corporation’s Common Stock and Class A Stock as of October 30, 2009.
Subsequent events have been evaluated through October 2, 2009, which is the filing date of the Company’s report with the SEC for the quarter ended August 31, 2009.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) |
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Overview and Outlook
The Company’s first quarter is generally its smallest revenue period as most schools are not in session, resulting in a seasonal loss. Despite this seasonality, as a result of a strong first quarter, the net loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 was significantly reduced to $23.0 million compared to a net loss of $49.1 million in the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2008.
Accordingly, the Company is on plan to achieve significantly higher earnings and free cash flow in fiscal 2010, and if it reaches the high end of its guidance range, to achieve its goal of 9% operating margins. In particular, the Educational Publishing segment had a record quarter, with technology sales up more than 50% over the prior year as a result of strong execution, new products and adoptions, and the arrival of federal stimulus funds in local districts. Trade sales of the Company’s children’s books rose by 25%, driven by best-selling series including The 39 Clues®and Harry Potter®.
The Company continued to aggressively manage cost, sustaining last year’s reductions. Selling, general and administrative expenses were generally flat. Lower payroll, travel and consulting expenses were offset by higher variable costs resulting from increased education revenues as well as increased stock compensation expense. The Company continues to experience difficulties in its UK operations and expects to restructure these operations in the current fiscal year.
The Company has strengthened its balance sheet by carefully controlling working capital and by generating substantial free cash flow over the past twelve months, while continuing to invest in core operations.
Results of Continuing Operations
Revenues for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 increased by $39.2 million, or 14.2%, to $315.6 million, compared to $276.4 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This was due to higher revenues in theEducational Publishing andChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segments of $33.6 million and $15.1 million, respectively, partially offset by lower revenues in theInternationalandMedia, Licensing and Advertising segments of $8.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased to 49.5%, compared to 52.8% in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to growth in higher margin education technology sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 55.0%, compared to 62.5% in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily resulting from the higher revenues as well as reduced spending due to the implementation of cost cutting measures, partially offset by an increase in commission expense related to the higher education technology sales as well as higher stock compensation expense.
Bad debt expense increased to $2.1 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to $1.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment.
Severance expense increased to $4.3 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to $3.0 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, as the Company continued to implement its cost reduction plans.
The resulting operating loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 was $35.3 million, compared to $62.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter.
Net interest expense decreased to $3.9 million in the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to $5.9 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, due to lower borrowings and lower interest rates.
The loss from continuing operations was $24.6 million, or $0.68 per share, for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to a loss of $42.9 million, or $1.13 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter.
The income from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $1.6 million, or $0.05 per share, for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to a loss of $6.2 million, or $0.17 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. Prior period losses reflect higher severance and
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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impairment charges. Current period income reflects favorable accounts receivable collections without the higher level of offsetting charges.
The net loss was $23.0 million, or $0.63 per share, for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to a net loss of $49.1 million, or $1.30 per share, in the prior fiscal year quarter.
Results of Continuing Operations – Segments
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended August 31, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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Revenues | | $ | 76.2 | | $ | 61.1 | |
Operating loss | | | (47.5 | ) | | (54.6 | ) |
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Operating margin | | | | * | | | * |
* Not meaningful
Revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 increased by $15.1 million, or 24.7%, to $76.2 million, compared to $61.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This improvement was due to an increase in revenues in the Company’s trade business in the first fiscal quarter of 2010, driven by the release ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallowspaperback book and boxed sets of the series as well as higher sales of the multi platform series The 39 Clues®. School book clubs and book fairs have minimal activity in the Company’s first fiscal quarter, as most schools are not in session.
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased by $7.1 million, or 13.0%, to a loss of $47.5 million, compared to a loss of $54.6 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, principally due to the increase in revenues as well as reduced overhead expenses in the segment, driven by previously implemented cost reduction initiatives.
Educational Publishing
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended August 31, | |
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| | 2009 | | 2008 | |
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Revenues | | $ | 148.7 | | $ | 115.1 | |
Operating income | | | 41.3 | | | 21.5 | |
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Operating margin | | | 27.8 | % | | 18.7 | % |
Revenues in theEducational Publishingsegment for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 increased by $33.6 million, or 29.2%, to $148.7 million, compared to $115.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This increase was principally driven by higher sales of education technology products of approximately $35 million, due to improved sales and marketing execution, new product launches, including System 44, and new adoptions, in particular the California adoption of READ180 and System 44, as well as the impact of the federal economic stimulus funding for education, which began to reach school districts in the first quarter.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 increased by $19.8 million to $41.3 million, compared to $21.5 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, principally driven by the increase in revenues from education technology sales.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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International
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended August 31, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 75.6 | | $ | 84.1 | |
Operating loss | | | (1.9 | ) | | (3.3 | ) |
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Operating margin | | | | * | | | * |
* Not meaningful
Revenues in the Internationalsegment for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased by $8.5 million, or 10.1%, to $75.6 million, compared to $84.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $7.6 million, in addition to a decrease in revenue of $1.6 million in the UK.
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased to a loss of $1.9 million, compared to a loss of $3.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to reduced employee-related expenses in the Company’s Australia operations and the Company’s export operations.
Media, Licensing and Advertising
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended August 31, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 15.1 | | $ | 16.1 | |
Operating loss | | | (3.7 | ) | | (4.8 | ) |
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Operating margin | | | | * | | | * |
* Not meaningful
Revenues in the Media, Licensing and Advertising segment for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased by $1.0 million, or 6.2%, to $15.1 million, compared to $16.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to lower revenues from third party sales of software and interactive products, partially offset by higher revenues in the custom publishing business and higher production revenues. For additional information regarding changes in the Company’s reporting structure and segments, please see Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2009 decreased to a loss of $3.7 million, compared to a loss of $4.8 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to reduced selling, general and administrative expenses in the segment driven by cost reduction initiatives.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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Results of Discontinued Operations
In fiscal 2008, the Company determined to sell or shut down its domestic, Canadian and UK continuities businesses, and intends to sell a related warehousing and distribution facility located in Maumelle, Arkansas (the “Maumelle Facility”) and an office and distribution facility in Danbury, Connecticut (the “Danbury Facility”). During fiscal 2009, the Company also ceased its operations in Argentina and Mexico, its door-to-door selling operations in Puerto Rico, its continuities business in Australia and New Zealand and its corporate book fairs business and closed its Scarsdale, NY store. The Company also sold a trade magazine. Additionally, the Company sold a non-core market research business and a non-core on-line resource for teachers business and intends to sell a Spanish language book channel. All of the above businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements for fiscal 2010 and prior year periods.
The earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, were $1.6 million for the quarter ended August 31, 2009, compared to a loss, net of tax, of $6.2 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Prior period losses reflect higher severance and impairment charges, while current period income reflects favorable accounts receivable collections without the higher level of offsetting charges.
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 and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, while revenues from the sale of instructional materials and educational technology products are highest in the first and fourth quarters. The Company historically has experienced 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 cash from discontinued operations, totaled $54.2 million at August 31, 2009, compared to $143.6 million at May 31, 2009 and $31.7 million at August 31, 2008.
Cash used in operating activities decreased by $82.7 million to $58.3 million for the three months ended August 31, 2009, compared to $141.0 million in the prior fiscal year period. In addition to the reduced loss of $26.1 million, the $82.7 million decrease was primarily related to favorable working capital changes which included:
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| • | a $56.0 million increase in accounts payable and other accrued expenses compared to a $17.0 million increase in the prior year period; |
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| • | a $95.0 million increase in inventory in the current period compared to a $125.9 million increase in the prior period; |
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| • | partially offset by increased accounts receivable of $32.4 million in the current period compared to decreases of $16.2 million in the prior year period. |
Accounts payable increases were primarily due to the timing of payments and improved terms with key vendors. Inventory reductions resulted from the timing of purchases and Company initiatives designed to reduce inventory levels. Higher accounts receivable balances resulted from higher August sales of education technology products.
Cash used in investing activities increased by $0.8 million to $19.2 million for the three months ended August 31, 2009, compared to $18.4 million in the prior fiscal year period. This change is related to the receipt of proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations of $4.0 million in the prior period, partially offset by reduced spending in property, plant and equipment.
Cash used in financing activities was $10.5 million for the three months ended August 31, 2009, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $68.3 million for the prior fiscal year period. The change is primarily due to reduced borrowings under lines of credit of $73.7 million and reduced borrowings under credit agreements and revolving loans of $40.0 million, partially offset by lower repayments under lines of credit of $28.7 million and lower repurchases of Common Stock of $1.0 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2010 compared to $11.7 million in the prior year fiscal quarter.
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.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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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, as well as engaging in shareholder enhancement initiatives, such as share repurchases or dividend declarations. 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 for the foreseeable future.
Despite the current economic conditions, the Company has maintained sufficient liquidity to fund ongoing operations, dividends, authorized common share repurchases, debt service, planned capital expenditures and other investments. As of August 31, 2009, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $54.2 million, cash from operations, and borrowings remaining available under the Revolving Loan (as described under “Financing” below) totaling $325.0 million. Approximately 55% of the Company’s outstanding debt is not due until fiscal 2013, and the remaining 45% is spread ratably over each preceding period. 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). Accordingly, the Company believes these sources of liquidity are sufficient to finance its ongoing operating needs, as well as its financing and investing activities.
The Company’s credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services is “BB-” and from Moody’s Investors Service is “Ba2.” Both agencies have rated the outlook for the Company as “Stable.” The Company believes that existing committed credit lines, cash from operations and other sources of cash are sufficient to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for the near term, as the Company is currently compliant with its debt covenants and expects to remain compliant for the foreseeable future. The Company’s interest rates for the Loan Agreement are associated with certain leverage ratios, and, accordingly, a change in the Company’s credit rating does not result in an increase in interest costs under the Company’s Loan Agreement.
Financing
Loan Agreement
On June 1, 2007, Scholastic Corporation and Scholastic Inc. (each, a “Borrower” and together, the “Borrowers”) entered into a $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 Term Loan, which may be prepaid at any time without penalty, requires quarterly principal payments of $10.7 million, with the first payment 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 0.500% or (2) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin, ranging from 0.500% to 1.250% based on the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio. As of August 31, 2009, the applicable margin of the Term Loan was 0.875% and the applicable margin on the Revolving Loan was 0.700%. The Loan Agreement also provides for the payment of a facility fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.250% per annum on the Revolving Loan only, which at August 31, 2009 was 0.175%.
As of August 31, 2009, there was $0.5 million of outstanding standby letters of credit issued under the Loan Agreement. 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 August 31, 2009 the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Please see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, for outstanding balances and interest rates for these notes.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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5% Notes due 2013
In April 2003, Scholastic Corporation issued $175.0 million of 5% Notes (the “5% Notes”). The 5% Notes are senior unsecured obligations that mature on April 15, 2013. Interest on the 5% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year through maturity. The Company may at any time redeem all or a portion of the 5% Notes at a redemption price (plus accrued interest to the date of the redemption) equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount, or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the date of redemption. The Company repurchased $2.5 million and $14.5 million of the 5% Notes on the open market in fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the three months ended August 31, 2009, the Company repurchased an additional $5.0 million of the 5% notes on the open market.
Lines of Credit
As of August 31, 2009, the Company’s credit lines available under unsecured money market bid rate credit lines totaled $20.0 million. There were no outstanding borrowings under these credit lines at August 31, 2009 and May 31, 2009. The credit lines had an outstanding balance of $37.8 million as of August 31, 2008 at a weighted average interest rate of 2.9%. 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 180 days, agreed to at the time each loan is made.
As of August 31, 2009, the Company had various local currency credit lines, with maximum available borrowings in amounts equivalent to $39.4 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 international facilities equivalent to $13.4 million at August 31, 2009 at a weighted average interest rate of 2.9%; $10.9 million at May 31, 2009 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.3%; and $25.2 million at August 31, 2008 at a weighted average interest rate of 5.9%.
As of August 31, 2009 and May 31, 2009, the Company had open standby letters of credit of $7.4 million issued under certain credit lines, as compared to $8.1 million as of August 31, 2008. 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 $290.6 million at August 31, 2009, $303.7 million at May 31, 2009 and $430.2 million at August 31, 2008. The lower level of debt at August 31, 2009 as compared to May 31, 2009 and August 31, 2008 was primarily due to repayments made on the Term Loan, a repurchase of the Company’s 5% Notes on the open market and reduced borrowings resulting from lower debt requirements. The Company utilized existing cash balances in the first fiscal quarter of 2010 to meet seasonal working capital requirements. As a result, cash balances declined $89.4 million in such fiscal quarter.
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.”
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP 132R-1”). FSP 132R-1 requires additional disclosure regarding investment allocations, major categories, valuation techniques and concentrations of risk related to plan assets held in an employer’s defined benefit pension or postretirement plan. FSP 132R-1 further requires disclosure of any effects of utilizing significant unobservable inputs as defined in SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” upon the overall change in the fair value of the plan assets during the reporting period. FSP 132R-1 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP No. FAS 157-4”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” where the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. . The FSP provides additional guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity for the asset or liability (or similar groups of assets or liabilities). FSP No. FAS 157-4 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and applies prospectively. This pronouncement did not impact the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2009-05, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value” (“ASU No. 2009-05”). The update provides clarification for circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available. ASU No. 2009- 05 is effective for the first reporting period beginning after August 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the adoption of ASU No. 2009-05 will have on its condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Recently Adopted 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. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” and FSP No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.” Collectively, these Staff Positions allow a one-year deferral of adoption of SFAS 157 for non financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis and amend SFAS 157 to exclude FASB Statement No. 13 and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions.
The Company adopted SFAS 157 beginning June 1, 2008, except for non financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, for which the Company adopted SFAS 157 on June 1, 2009. The impact of the adoptions on June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009 was not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
SFAS 157 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values. The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest.
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the presentation requirements of SFAS 157 at August 31, 2009 consisted of cash and cash equivalents and foreign currency forward contracts, which were not material as of the reporting date. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of bank deposits and short-term investments, such as money market funds, the fair value of which is based on quoted market prices, a Level 1 fair value measure. The fair values of foreign currency forward contracts, used by the Company to manage the impact of foreign exchange rate changes to the financial statements, are based on quotations from financial institutions, a Level 2 fair value measure.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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Non financial assets and liabilities for which the Company employs fair value measurement on a non-recurring basis include:
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| • | long-lived assets when impaired under the provisions of SFAS 144, |
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| • | assets acquired in a business combination, |
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| • | goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, |
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| • | long-lived assets held for sale, |
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| • | long-lived assets held and used, |
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| • | pension assets, and |
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| • | debt. |
Level 2 and level 3 inputs will be employed by the Company in the fair value measurement of these assets and liabilities.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer accounts for business combinations. SFAS 141R includes guidance for the recognition and measurement of the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling 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 acquirer’s income tax valuation allowance. SFAS 141R applies prospectively and is effective for business combinations made by the Company beginning June 1, 2009. This pronouncement did not impact the Company in the current period.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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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 |
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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. 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. As of August 31, 2009, these transactions were not significant. 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 48% of the Company’s debt at August 31, 2009 and May 31, 2009 bore interest at a variable rate and was sensitive to changes in interest rates, compared to approximately 63% at August 31, 2008. The decrease in variable-rate debt as of August 31, 2009 and May 31, 2009, compared to August 31, 2008, was primarily due to repayments made on the Term Loan, a repurchase of 5% Notes on the open market and reduced borrowings as a result of lower debt requirements. 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 August 31, 2009 (see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements”):
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($ amounts in millions) | | Fiscal Year Maturity | |
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| | 2010(3) | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | Thereafter | | Total | |
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Debt Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lines of Credit | | $ | 13.4 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 13.4 | |
Average interest rate | | | 2.9 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Long-term debt including current | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed-rate debt | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 153.0 | | | | | $ | — | | $ | 153.0 | |
Interest rate | | | | | | | | | | | | 5.0 | % | | | | | | | | | |
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Variable rate debt | | $ | 32.1 | | $ | 42.8 | | $ | 42.8 | | $ | 7.4 | (1) | | | | $ | — | | $ | 125.1 | |
Interest rate(2) | | | 1.2 | % | | 1.2 | % | | 1.2 | % | | 1.2 | % | | | | | | | | | |
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(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. |
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(2) | Represents the interest rate under the Term Loan at August 31, 2009; the interest rate is subject to change over the life of the Term Loan. |
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(3) | 2010 includes the remaining nine months of the current fiscal year. |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
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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 August 31, 2009, 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 August 31, 2009 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 |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
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The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation during the three months ended August 31, 2009:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
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Period | | Total number of shares purchased | | Average price paid per share | | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | | Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs | |
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June 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 | | 28,195 | | | | $ | 19.91 | | | 28,195 | | | | $ | 0.5 | (1) | |
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July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009 | | 24,955 | | | | $ | 18.73 | | | 24,955 | | | | $ | 0.1 | | |
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August 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009 | | — | | | | $ | — | | | — | | | | $ | 0.1 | | |
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Total | | 53,150 | | | | $ | 19.36 | | | 53,150 | | | | $ | 0.1 | | |
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(1) | On May 28, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a new program to purchase up to $20.0 million of Common Stock, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or through negotiated private transactions. On November 20, 2008 and February 4, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized further programs to repurchase up to an additional $10.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of its Common Stock, to be funded with available cash and pursuant to which the Company could purchase shares from time to time as conditions allow on the open market. As of August 31, 2009, approximately $0.1 remained of the current authorization and therefore the program is virtually completed. |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 6. Exhibits |
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Exhibits: | | |
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10.1** (1) | | Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the”2001 Plan”) amended and restated as of July 21, 2009. |
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10.2** (1) | | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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10.3** (1) | | Amended and Restated Guidelines for Stock Units Granted under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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10.4** (1) | | Form of Option Agreement under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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31.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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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. |
** The referenced exhibit is a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement described in Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
(1) Corrected exhibit replacing corresponding exhibits 10.9 through 10.12 (inclusive) of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended May 31, 2009.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION SIGNATURES |
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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.
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| | SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION (Registrant) |
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Date: October 2, 2009 | By: | /s/ Richard Robinson |
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| | Richard Robinson |
| | Chairman of the Board, |
| | President and Chief |
| | Executive Officer |
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Date: October 2, 2009 | By: | /s/ Maureen O’Connell |
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| | 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 AUGUST 31, 2009 |
Exhibits Index |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Document | |
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| 10.1 | | Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) amended and restated as of July 21, 2009. |
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| 10.2 | | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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| 10.3 | | Amended and Restated Guidelines for Stock Units Granted under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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| 10.4 | | Form of Option Agreement under the 2001 Plan as of July 21, 2009. |
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| 31.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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| 31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Scholastic Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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| 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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