The Company calculates its interim income tax provision in accordance with the accounting standards covering interim financial reporting and accounting for income taxes in interim periods. 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’s annual effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 is currently expected to be approximately 46%. The Company’s expected full year effective tax rate exceeds statutory rates primarily as a result of net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions, mainly in the United Kingdom, 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.
The Company recognizes tax benefits of uncertain tax positions in accordance with the current accounting guidance pertaining to uncertainty in income taxes. The Company does not currently anticipate a material change to its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of February 28, 2010; 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 31, 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 31, 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.
The Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts to economically hedge the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations associated with the forecasted purchase of inventory. These derivative contracts are economic hedges and are not designated as cash flow hedges. The Company marks-to-market these instruments and records the changes in the fair value of these items in current earnings and the unrealized gain or loss is recognized in other current liabilities. Unrealized gains were $0.1 and $1.4 at February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The Company also enters into foreign currency derivative contracts to hedge the foreign exchange risk associated with certain receivables denominated in foreign currencies. The Company marks-to-market these instruments and records the changes in the fair value of these items in current earnings offsetting the foreign exchange gains and losses arising from the effect of changes in exchange rates used to measure the related assets. Unrealized gains related to these derivatives were $0.5 and $0.1 at February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
On March 31, 2010, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share payable on June 15, 2010, to shareholders of record of the Corporation’s Class A Stock and Common Stock as of April 30, 2010.
From March 1, 2010 through April 1, 2010, the Company repurchased 111,422 shares on the open market for approximately $3.2 at an average cost of $29.14 per share. As of April 1, 2010, approximately $16.3 remains available for future purchases.
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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
During the third quarter ended February 28, 2010, the Company generated strong results in theEducational Publishing segment, which offset declines in revenue in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment. The Company also continued to reduce costs and drive improved cash flow.
For the quarter, revenue from continuing operations was $398.8 million compared to $423.6 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting strong Harry Potter-related trade sales in the prior year. Revenue in theEducational Publishing segment rose 18% in the quarter, driven by continued growth in sales of educational technology and related services. The decline inChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution revenue reflected lower trade sales relative to the prior year quarter, when the Company releasedThe Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling. This segment was also impacted by a decline in revenues, which continued from the previous quarter, in the School book club business.
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, was $4.6 million compared to a loss in the prior year period of $34.5 million. The current year period includes severance and one-time costs related to the Company’s restructuring plans in the United Kingdom of $2.4 million, before tax, as well as an unrealized investment loss of $1.5 million, before tax; in comparison, the prior year period includes non-cash impairment and investment loss charges as well as one-time severance charges totaling $35.3 million, before tax.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2010, revenue from continuing operations was $1,374.5 million compared to $1,353.3 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting strong sales of educational technology, partially offset by a decline in revenue in the Children’s Book segment.
Earnings from continuing operations, net of tax, for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 were $27.6 million compared to a loss from continuing operations in the prior year fiscal period of $18.9 million. One-time expenses and non-cash impairments recorded during the first nine months of the current fiscal year were $45.7 million, before tax, primarily related to the Company’s decision to consolidate certain library publishing activities into theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, as well as restructuring activities in the United Kingdom. In the first nine months of the prior year period, the Company recorded one-time severance and non-cash charges of $46.3 million, before tax.
During the third quarter, the Company continued to focus on cost reduction as well as maintaining a strong balance sheet. In addition, improved earnings and lower inventory and accounts receivable levels resulted in strong cash flow, increasing the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at quarter end by $200.3 million and decreasing debt balances by $50.0 million compared to a year ago. Based on these results, the Company revised its fiscal 2010 outlook to be towards the top end of its original range and increased its free cash flow outlook.
Results of Continuing and Discontinued Operations
Revenues for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $24.8 million, or 5.9%, to $398.8 million, compared to $423.6 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This was due to lower revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and DistributionandMedia, Licensing and Advertising segments of $36.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively, partially offset by higher revenues in theEducational Publishing andInternational segments of $13.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, revenues increased by $21.2 million, or 1.6%, to $1,374.5 million, compared to $1,353.3 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to higher revenues in theEducational Publishing segment, partially offset by lower revenues from theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution and Media, Licensing and Advertising segments.
Cost of goods sold decreased to $192.7 million, or 48.3% of revenues, for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, as compared to $214.6 million, or 50.7% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to the prior year royalty costs associated with the release ofThe Tales of Beedle the Bardand current year reductions in editorial costs. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, cost of goods sold decreased to $621.0 million, or 45.2% of revenues, compared to $644.4 million, or 47.6% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period. The $23.4 million decrease was primarily due to the growth in higher margin educational technology sales and reduced editorial costs.
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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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Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”), excluding severance expense, for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 were $187.9 million, or 47.1% of revenue, as compared to $191.5 million, or 45.2% of revenue, in the prior fiscal year quarter. The $3.6 million decrease primarily resulted from planned reduced promotion spending in the Company’s book club business. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, SG&A, excluding severance expense, was $583.5 million, or 42.5% of revenues, as compared to $592.3 million, or 43.8% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year period. The $8.8 million decrease primarily related to reduced promotional expenses in the book club business, partially offset by increased incentive compensation expense related to the higher educational technology sales and higher sales tax expense.
Bad debt expense increased to $2.9 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $2.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, bad debt expense decreased by $1.2 million to $9.4 million from $10.6 million in the prior fiscal year period. The decrease was primarily in theChildren’sBook Publishing and Distribution segment, as the prior fiscal year period reflected accruals for increased credit risk for certain customers.
Severance expense decreased by $4.1 million to $1.9 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $6.0 million for the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, severance expense decreased by $13.1 million to $7.3 million, compared to $20.4 million in the prior fiscal year period.
For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, the Company recorded $40.1 million in asset impairments primarily in theEducational Publishing segment, as the Company implemented certain strategic initiatives during fiscal 2010 to centralize publishing efforts within theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment. These initiatives included the elimination of the front list for certain library-specific titles within theEducational Publishing segment. In the prior fiscal year period, the Company determined that $17.0 million of goodwill associated with operations in the United Kingdom was impaired.
The resulting operating loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 was $0.8 million, compared to $22.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, operating income increased to $69.5 million, compared to $23.4 million in the prior fiscal year period.
Net interest expense decreased to $4.0 million in the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $5.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, net interest expense decreased by $6.4 million to $12.2 million, compared to $18.6 million in the prior fiscal year period. Both reductions in net interest expense were driven by lower borrowing levels and lower interest rates. The lower borrowings were driven by improved cash from operations, as the Company significantly reduced its working capital requirements. The Company has accumulated significant cash balances in recent periods. However, due to low interest rates, interest income is not significant.
In the quarter ended February 28, 2010, the Company determined that a cost-basis investment in a U.S. based internet company was other than temporarily impaired and recognized a loss of $1.5 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010. In the prior fiscal year period, the Company determined that certain investments in the United Kingdom were other than temporarily impaired. The Company recorded impairments on investments related to these operations of $13.5 million.
The Company’s provision for income taxes with respect to continuing operations resulted in a benefit of 26.9% and 16.3% for the quarters ended February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009, respectively. The periods result in a benefit because the Company incurred a loss in each of these quarters. The tax benefit for these periods is less than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for which the Company does not expect to realize corresponding income tax benefits. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009 were 51.3% and 124.9%, respectively. The effective tax rates for this period exceed the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to losses in certain foreign subsidiaries for which the Company does not expect to realize corresponding income tax benefits. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s business and discrete items in these periods, the effective tax rates for the above periods may appear to be distorted.
Loss from continuing operations was $4.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $34.5 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, earnings from continuing operations were $27.6 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $18.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $1.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $1.5 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $0.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to $23.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period.
Net loss was $5.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to $36.0 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year quarter. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, net income was $26.9 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $42.0 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, in the prior fiscal year period.
Results of Continuing Operations - Segments
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended February 28, | | Nine months ended February 28, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 192.1 | | $ | 228.7 | | $ | 637.1 | | $ | 682.7 | |
Operating income | | | 6.9 | | | 15.1 | | | 67.2 | | | 65.6 | |
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Operating margin | | | 3.6 | % | | 6.6 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 9.6 | % |
Revenues in theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $36.6 million, or 16.0%, to $192.1 million, compared to $228.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This decline was due primarily to lower revenues in the Company’s trade business related to the prior year’s release ofThe Tales of Beedle the Bard, as well as lower revenues in the Company’s book club business resulting from fewer orders. Revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $45.6 million to $637.1 million, compared to $682.7 million in the prior fiscal year period. This decrease was due to lower revenues in the Company’s book club business as well as in the Company’s trade business as noted above. These decreases were partially offset by improved results in the Company’s book fairs business.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $8.2 million, or 54.3%, to $6.9 million, compared to $15.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, principally due to the lower revenue in the Company’s book club business partially offset by reduced promotion expenses. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 increased by $1.6 million, or 2.4%, to $67.2 million, compared to $65.6 million in the prior fiscal year period, principally due to the lower promotion costs in the current fiscal year period and higher bad debt expense recognized in the prior fiscal year period.
Educational Publishing
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended February 28, | | Nine months ended February 28, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 88.0 | | $ | 74.7 | | $ | 359.3 | | $ | 280.8 | |
Operating income | | | 8.3 | | | 0.9 | | | 45.5 | | | 36.2 | |
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Operating margin | | | 9.4 | % | | 1.2 | % | | 12.7 | % | | 12.9 | % |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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Revenues in theEducational Publishingsegment for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 increased by $13.3 million, or 17.8%, to $88.0 million, compared to $74.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This increase was principally driven by higher sales of educational technology products and related services of approximately $9 million in the third quarter. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 increased by $78.5 million, or 28.0%, to $359.3 million, compared to $280.8 million in the prior fiscal year period. This increase was principally driven by higher revenues of approximately $71 million from sales of READ 180®, System 44 and other technology products and related services along with new adoptions, in particular the California adoption of READ 180 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 ended August 31, 2009.
Segment operating income for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 increased by $7.4 million to $8.3 million, as compared to $0.9 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. This increase is primarily related to the increase in revenue noted above. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 increased by $9.3 million, or 25.7%, to $45.5 million, compared to $36.2 million in the prior fiscal year period. This increase is primarily due to the increase in revenues from education technology sales, partially offset by the asset impairment charge of $36.3 million recorded in the second quarter in connection with the Company’s decision to consolidate supplemental non-fiction and library publishing activities into theChildren’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment.
International
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended February 28, | | Nine months ended February 28, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 88.7 | | $ | 87.3 | | $ | 295.2 | | $ | 293.4 | |
Operating loss (income) | | | (0.2 | ) | | (13.7 | ) | | 12.7 | | | (3.0 | ) |
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Operating margin | | | * | | | * | | | 4.3 | % | | * | |
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Revenues in the Internationalsegment for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 increased by $1.4 million, or 1.6%, to $88.7 million, compared to $87.3 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to a favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $11.5 million, partially offset by lower revenues in the Company’s Canadian operation of $8.2 million. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 increased by $1.8 million to $295.2 million, compared to $293.4 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $12.8 million, partially offset by lower revenues in the Company’s Canadian and United Kingdom operations of $6.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $13.5 million to a loss of $0.2 million compared to a loss of $13.7 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to the prior year quarter impairment charge of $17.0 million, partially offset by lower operating results in the Company’s Canadian operation. Segment operating income for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 was $12.7 million compared to an operating loss of $3.0 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2009. The $15.7 million change is primarily related to the prior year impairment charge of $17.0 million and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $6.5 million, partially offset by an impairment charge of $3.8 million related to a customer list acquired in connection with the dissolution of a joint venture and $4.1 million of restructuring charges related to the Company’s United Kingdom operations in the current fiscal year period.
Media, Licensing and Advertising
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($ amounts in millions) | | Three months ended February 28, | | Nine months ended February 28, | |
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Revenues | | $ | 30.0 | | $ | 32.9 | | $ | 82.9 | | $ | 96.4 | |
Operating loss | | | (1.5 | ) | | (1.1 | ) | | (2.6 | ) | | (1.9 | ) |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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Revenues in the Media, Licensing and Advertising segment for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $2.9 million, or 8.8%, to $30.0 million, compared to $32.9 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to lower revenues from the Company’s toy catalog business as well as lower programming revenues. Segment revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 decreased by $13.5 million, or 14.0%, to $82.9 million, compared to $96.4 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the lower revenues from third party sales of software and interactive products as well as lower revenues from the Company’s toy catalog business.
Segment operating loss for the quarter ended February 28, 2010 increased by $0.4 million to an operating loss of $1.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $1.1 million in the prior fiscal year quarter, primarily due to the lower programming revenues. Segment operating loss for the nine months ended February 28, 2010 was $2.6 million, compared to a loss in the prior fiscal year period of $1.9 million.
Results of Discontinued Operations
The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $1.0 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2010, compared to a loss of $1.5 million in the prior fiscal year quarter. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $0.7 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2010, compared to a loss in the prior fiscal year period of $23.1 million. The higher losses in the prior fiscal year period are primarily due to impairment 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 $238.9 million at February 28, 2010, compared to $143.6 million at May 31, 2009 and $38.6 million at February 28, 2009.
Cash provided by operating activities improved by $164.4 million to $198.5 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2010, compared to $34.1 million in the prior fiscal year period. In addition to the increase in net income, adjusted for non-cash items of $90.8 million, the $164.4 million improvement was primarily related to favorable working capital changes which included:
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| • | a $47.1 million increase in inventory in the current period compared to a $96.5 million increase in the prior period, yielding an improvement of $49.4 million in cash provided by operating activities in the current fiscal year. |
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| • | a $4.8 million decrease in accounts receivable compared to a $16.8 million increase in the prior period, yielding an improvement of $21.6 million in cash provided by operating activities in the current fiscal year. |
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| • | a $24.7 million increase in deferred revenue in the current period compared to a $14.7 million increase in the prior period, yielding an improvement of $10.0 million in cash provided by operating activities in the current fiscal year. |
Current fiscal year inventory reductions resulted from the Company’s initiatives designed to reduce inventory levels. Decreased accounts receivable balances during the current fiscal year resulted from lower sales in the Company’s trade business due to the prior year’s release ofThe Tales of Beedle the Bard and lower sales in the Company’sMedia, Licensing and Advertising segment. Increased deferred revenue is driven by sales of technology services in theEducational Publishing segment.
Cash used in investing activities increased by $18.6 million to $62.3 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2010, compared to $43.7 million in the prior fiscal year period. This change is primarily related to the prior year’s proceeds from discontinued operations of $33.0 million, partially offset by a reduction in spending for property, plant and equipment and prepublication expenditures of $12.2 million.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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Cash used in financing activities was $40.4 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2010, compared to $71.8 million in the prior fiscal year period. The $31.4 million decrease in use of cash is primarily due to the prior year’s reacquisition of Common Stock of $31.6 million compared to the current year’s reacquisition of Common Stock of $1.5 million. This was partially offset by repurchases of the Company’s 5% Notes of $4.1 million compared to $0.4 million in the prior year fiscal period.
Due to the seasonal nature of its business as discussed under “Seasonality” above, the Company usually experiences negative operating 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, as well as engaging in shareholder enhancement initiatives, such as share repurchases or dividend declarations. The Company believes that funds generated by its operations, current cash balances 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 Stock repurchases, debt service, planned capital expenditures and other investments. As of February 28, 2010, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $238.9 million, cash from operations, and borrowings remaining available under the Revolving Loan (as described under “Financing” below) totaling $325.0 million. Approximately 60% of the Company’s outstanding debt is not due until fiscal 2013, and the remaining 40% 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.” Standard & Poor’s has rated the outlook for the Company as “stable,” while Moody’s has recently changed their outlook for the Company from “stable” to “positive.” 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. 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 a change in interest costs under the Company’s Loan Agreement.
Financing
Lines of Credit
As of February 28, 2010, the Company’s credit line available under an unsecured money market bid rate credit line totaled $20.0 million. There were no outstanding borrowings under the credit line at February 28, 2010, at May 31, 2009 and at February 28, 2009. All loans made under the credit line are at the sole discretion of the lender and at an interest rate and term, not to exceed 365 days, agreed to at the time each loan is made.
As of February 28, 2010, the Company had various local currency credit lines, with maximum available borrowings in amounts equivalent to $29.1 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 $9.4 million at February 28, 2010 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.9%; $10.9 million at May 31, 2009 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.3%; and $9.8 million at February 28, 2009 at a weighted average interest rate of 3.8%.
As of February 28, 2010 and May 31, 2009, the Company had open standby letters of credit of $7.4 million issued under certain credit lines, as compared to $7.6 million as of February 28, 2009. 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.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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The Company’s total debt obligations were $265.3 million at February 28, 2010, $303.7 million at May 31, 2009 and $315.3 million at February 28, 2009. The lower level of debt at February 28, 2010 as compared to May 31, 2009 and February 28, 2009 was primarily due to repayments made on the Term Loan and a repurchase of the Company’s 5% Notes on the open market.
For a more complete description of the Company’s debt obligations, see Note 4, “Debt,” of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements.”
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 February 28, 2010, the applicable margin of the Term Loan was 0.750% and the applicable margin on the Revolving Loan was 0.600%. 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 February 28, 2010 was 0.150%. Effective December 29, 2009, the Company’s applicable borrowing rate contractually decreased due to the Company’s improved consolidated debt ratio, as defined in the Loan Agreement.
As of February 28, 2010, 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 February 28, 2010 the Company was in compliance with these covenants. See Note 4, “Debt,” of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited in Item 1, “Financial Statements,” for outstanding balances and interest rates for these notes.
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. For the nine months ended February 28, 2010, the Company repurchased $5.0 million of the 5% Notes on the open market for $4.1 million. The Company repurchased $2.5 million of the 5% Notes on the open market in fiscal 2009.
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 2. MD&A |
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New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Reference is made to Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, “Financial Statements,” for information concerning recent accounting pronouncements since the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 (the “Annual Report”).
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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 February 28, 2010, 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 43% of the Company’s debt at February 28, 2010 bore interest at a variable rate and was sensitive to changes in interest rates, compared to approximately 48% at May 31, 2009 and 50% at February 28, 2009. The decrease in variable-rate debt as of February 28, 2010 and May 31, 2009, compared to February 28, 2009, was primarily due to repayments made on the Term Loan. 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 28, 2010 (see Note 4, “Debt,” 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(1) | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | Thereafter | | Total | |
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Debt Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lines of Credit | | $ | 9.4 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 9.4 | |
Average interest rate | | | 3.9 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Long-term debt including current portion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed-rate debt | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 153.0 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 153.0 | |
Interest rate | | | | | | | | | | | | 5.0 | % | | | | | | | | | |
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Variable rate debt | | $ | 10.7 | | $ | 42.8 | | $ | 42.8 | | $ | 7.4 | (2) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 103.7 | |
Interest rate(3) | | | 1.0 | % | | 1.0 | % | | 1.0 | % | | 1.0 | % | | | | | | | | | |
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(1) | 2010 includes the remaining three months of the current fiscal year. |
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(2) | 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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(3) | Represents the interest rate under the Term Loan at February 28, 2010; 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 |
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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 February 28, 2010, have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and accumulated and communicated to members of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There was no change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2010 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 nine months ended February 28, 2010:
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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 (1) | |
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June 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 | | | 28,195 | | | $ | 19.91 | | | | 28,195 | | | $ | 0.5 | | |
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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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September 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 | | | 850 | | | $ | 23.14 | | | | 850 | | | $ | — | | |
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October 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | |
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November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | |
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December 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | 20.0 | | |
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January 1, 2010 through January 31, 2010 | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | — | | | $ | — | | |
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February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2010 | | | 17,003 | | | $ | 28.64 | | | | 17,003 | | | $ | 19.5 | | |
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Total | | | 71,003 | | | $ | 21.62 | | | | 71,003 | | | | | | |
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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 September 30, 2009, these programs were virtually completed. On December 16, 2009, 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. As of February 28, 2010, approximately $19.5 million remained of the current authorization. |
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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
Item 6. Exhibits |
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Exhibits: | |
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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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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: April 2, 2010 | By: | /s/ Richard Robinson |
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| | Richard Robinson |
| | Chairman of the Board, |
| | President and Chief |
| | Executive Officer |
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Date: April 2, 2010 | 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 FEBRUARY 28, 2010 |
Exhibits Index |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Document |
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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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