UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[ x ] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2002
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-6227
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Delaware 42-0823980
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
215 N. Main Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801
-----------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
(563) 383-2100
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by a check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x] No [ ]
As of March 31, 2002, 34,194,904 shares of Common Stock and 10,011,079 shares of
Class B Common Stock of the Registrant were outstanding.
1
>
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income - Three months and
six months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 3
Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2002 and
September 30, 2001 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six months
ended March 31, 2002 and 2001 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 - 9
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 10 - 15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk 15
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 16
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16
Signatures 17
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, except per common share data) 2002 2001 2002 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenue:
Advertising ........................................ $ 62,305 $ 63,864 $ 135,157 $ 141,535
Circulation ........................................ 20,194 19,729 40,786 40,903
Other .............................................. 15,815 17,046 31,821 34,357
Equity in net income of associated companies ....... 1,752 1,318 3,929 3,884
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100,066 101,957 211,693 220,679
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
Compensation ....................................... 40,777 41,480 81,557 85,042
Newsprint and ink .................................. 8,321 9,957 18,320 21,094
Depreciation ....................................... 3,590 4,287 7,659 8,412
Amortization of intangible assets .................. 1,882 3,890 3,804 7,800
Other .............................................. 24,776 26,749 51,276 55,096
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
79,346 86,363 162,616 177,444
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income ...................................... 20,720 15,594 49,077 43,235
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonoperating income (expenses), net:
Financial income ................................... 2,467 8,431 5,235 17,942
Financial expense .................................. (2,843) (3,181) (5,882) (6,345)
Loss on sales of assets ............................ -- -- (40) --
Other, net ......................................... -- (234) (268) (631)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(376) 5,016 (955) 10,966
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes . 20,344 20,610 48,122 54,201
Income tax expense .................................... 7,220 7,469 16,998 20,045
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations ..................... 13,124 13,141 31,124 34,156
Discontinued operations:
Gain (loss) on disposition, net of income tax effect -- (85) -- 250,802
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 13,124 $ 13,056 $ 31,124 $ 284,958
==========================================================================================================
Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Continuing operations ............................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.71 $ 0.78
Discontinued operations .......................... -- -- -- 5.75
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.71 $ 6.53
==========================================================================================================
Diluted:
Continuing operations ............................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.70 $ 0.78
Discontinued operations .......................... -- -- -- 5.70
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.70 $ 6.48
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends per common share ............................ $ 0.17 $ 0.17 $ 0.34 $ 0.34
==========================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
3
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 September 30
(Thousands, except per share data) 2002 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents .......................................... $ 370,650 $ 272,169
Temporary cash investments ......................................... 108,380 211,221
Accounts receivable, net ........................................... 36,969 41,349
Receivable from associated companies ............................... -- 1,500
Inventories ........................................................ 4,003 3,997
Other .............................................................. 8,039 7,441
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets .................................................. 528,041 537,677
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments ........................................................... 31,469 32,525
Property and equipment, net ........................................... 114,984 119,061
Intangible and other assets ........................................... 301,482 311,134
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 975,976 $ 1,000,397
====================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt ............................... $ 23,200 $ 11,600
Income taxes payable ............................................... 9,309 57,281
Other .............................................................. 60,572 56,258
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities ............................................. 93,081 125,139
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt, less current maturities ............................... 150,200 161,800
Deferred items ........................................................ 30,709 31,514
Stockholders' equity:
Serial convertible preferred, no par value;
authorized 500 shares: none issued .............................. -- --
Common, $2 par value; authorized 60,000 ............................ 68,390 67,318
shares; issued and outstanding:
March 31, 2002 34,195 shares
September 30, 2001 33,659 shares
Class B Common, $2 par value; authorized ........................... 20,022 20,758
30,000 shares; issued and outstanding:
March 31, 2002 10,011 shares
September 30, 2001 10,379 shares
Additional paid-in capital ......................................... 53,064 48,164
Unearned compensation .............................................. (2,433) (1,130)
Retained earnings .................................................. 562,943 546,834
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity ............................................ 701,986 681,944
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 975,976 $ 1,000,397
====================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
4
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months Ended
March 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities:
Net income ......................................................... $ 31,124 $ 284,958
Less: discontinued operations ..................................... -- (250,802)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations ..................................... 31,124 34,156
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net
cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization ...................................... 11,463 16,212
Distributions in excess of current earnings of associated companies 198 2,484
Other, net ......................................................... (2,547) (6,905)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities ............................. 40,238 45,947
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (required for) investing activities:
Sales (purchases) of temporary cash investments, net ............... 102,841 (456,585)
Purchases of property and equipment ................................ (4,235) (4,920)
Acquisitions, net .................................................. (292) (4,230)
Proceeds from sales of assets ...................................... 7,130 --
Other .............................................................. 144 (1,992)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (required for) investing activities .............. 105,588 (467,727)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (required for) financing activities:
Payments on short-term debt ........................................ -- (37,937)
Common stock transactions .......................................... (207) (8,633)
Dividends paid ..................................................... (7,503) (7,382)
Other .............................................................. 3,560 5,355
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash required for financing activities ............................ (4,150) (48,597)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (required for) discontinued operations ........... (43,195) 479,231
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ............................. 98,481 8,854
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period ................................................ 272,169 29,427
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period ......................................................... $ 370,650 $ 38,281
================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
5
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1 Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. In
the opinion of management, these statements contain all adjustments
(consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly
the financial position of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries
(the Company) as of March 31, 2002 and the results of operations and cash
flows for the periods presented. These consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements
and Notes thereto included in the Company's 2001 Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the
three months and six months ended March 31, 2002 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Certain amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform
with the current period presentation.
2 Investment in Associated Companies
The Company has a 50% ownership interest in Madison Newspapers, Inc.
(MNI), a company that publishes daily and Sunday newspapers and other
publications in Madison, three other daily newspapers and various other
publications in Wisconsin; and also holds interests in Internet service
ventures.
Summarized financial information of MNI is as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001 2002 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue ............................................... $24,400 $24,557 $50,870 $54,016
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation
and amortization .................................... 17,718 19,075 36,043 38,726
Depreciation and amortization ......................... 971 1,161 1,975 2,322
Operating income ...................................... 5,711 4,321 12,852 12,968
Net income ............................................ 3,503 2,637 7,859 7,769
===============================================================================================
In April 2002, a subsidiary of MNI acquired the assets of Citizen
Newspapers, LLC, which owns the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen and various other
publications published in Wisconsin.
3 Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes includes deferred taxes and is based upon
estimated annual effective tax rates in the tax jurisdictions in which the
Company operates.
6
4 Earnings Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per common share:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, except per common share data) 2002 2001 2002 2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income applicable to common stock:
Continuing operations ............................... $ 13,124 $ 13,141 $ 31,124 $ 34,156
Discontinued operations ............................. -- (85) -- 250,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 13,124 $ 13,056 $ 31,124 $284,958
====================================================================================================
Weighted average common shares outstanding ............ 44,164 43,753 44,125 43,755
Less non-vested restricted stock ...................... 123 88 116 90
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic average common shares ........................... 44,041 43,665 44,009 43,665
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock ........... 290 367 277 337
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilutive average common shares ........................ 44,331 44,032 44,286 44,002
-===================================================================================================
Earnings per common share:
Basic:
Continuing operations ............................. $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.71 $ 0.78
Discontinued operations ........................... -- -- -- 5.75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.71 $ 6.53
====================================================================================================
Diluted:
Continuing operations ............................. $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.70 $ 0.78
Discontinued operations ........................... -- -- -- 5.70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.70 $ 6.48
====================================================================================================
5 Sales of Assets
In December 2001, the Company sold all of the assets of its specialty
publication in Klamath Falls, Oregon. In January 2002, the Company sold
all of the operating assets of its specialty publications in Las Vegas,
Nevada, Great Falls, Montana and St. George, Utah. In February 2002, the
Company sold all of the operating assets of its specialty publication in
Redding, California. Net proceeds from the sales totaled approximately
$7,130,000. The Company realized a net loss on the transactions. The
estimated loss, which was recognized in the year ended September 2001,
approximates the actual amount.
6 Stock Ownership Plans
A summary of stock option activity related to the Company's stock option
plan is as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
(Thousands, except per common share data) Shares Price
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at September 30, 2001 ............. 967 $ 26.44
Granted ....................................... 269 35.46
Exercised ..................................... (125) 25.99
Cancelled ..................................... (18) 27.62
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at March 31, 2002 ................. 1,093 $ 28.69
==========================================================================
Options to purchase 1,131,000 shares of common stock with a weighted
average exercise price of $25.46 per share were outstanding at March 31,
2001.
7
7 Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, Business Combinations,
and Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 141
requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business
combinations initiated or completed after June 30, 2001. Statement 141
also specifies criteria intangible assets acquired in a purchase method
business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from
goodwill. Statement 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for
impairment at least annually. Statement 142 also requires that intangible
assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective
estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed
for impairment in accordance with Statement 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of.
In August 2001, FASB issued Statement No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which supersedes FASB
Statement No. 121, discussed above, but retains the fundamental provisions
of Statement 121 with regard to recognition and measurement of impairment
of long-lived assets.
The Company was required to adopt the provisions of Statement 141
immediately, except with regard to business combinations initiated prior
to July 1, 2001, and Statements 142 and 144 effective no later than
October 1, 2002. Furthermore, intangible assets determined to have an
indefinite useful life and goodwill that are acquired in a purchase
business combination completed after June 30, 2001 will not be amortized.
The Company elected to adopt Statements 141, 142 and 144 effective October
1, 2001.
Statement 141 requires, upon adoption of Statement 142, that the Company
evaluate its existing intangible assets and goodwill that were acquired in
a prior purchase business combination, and make any necessary
reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria for
recognition apart from goodwill. Upon adoption of Statement 142, the
Company reassessed the useful lives and residual values of all intangible
assets acquired in purchase business combinations. In addition, the
Company is required to test the intangible assets identified as having an
indefinite useful life and goodwill for impairment in accordance with the
provisions of Statement 142. There were no significant reclassifications
or impairment losses identified as a result of adoption.
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001 2002 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill, beginning of period ......................... $ 228,753 $ 241,064 $ 230,231 $ 241,960
Goodwill related to acquisitions ...................... 247 276 247 2,826
Goodwill related to sales of businesses ............... (8,153) -- (9,631) (1,455)
Amortization .......................................... -- (1,991) -- (3,982)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill, end of period ............................... $ 220,847 $ 239,349 $ 220,847 $ 239,349
==========================================================================================================
The impact of adoption of these statements is as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001 2002 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as reported ........ $ 13,124 $ 13,141 $ 31,124 $ 34,156
Goodwill amortization, net of income tax benefit ...... -- 1,488 -- 2,976
Goodwill amortization of associated companies ......... -- 59 -- 118
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as adjusted ........ 13,124 14,688 31,124 37,250
Discontinued operations ............................... -- (85) -- 250,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as adjusted ............................... $ 13,124 $ 14,603 $ 31,124 $288,052
====================================================================================================
8
The earnings per common share impact related to the adoption of these
statements is as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
March 31 March 31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic:
Income from continuing operations, as reported .............. $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.71 $ 0.78
Goodwill amortization ....................................... -- 0.03 -- 0.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as adjusted .............. 0.30 0.33 0.71 0.85
Discontinued operations ..................................... -- -- -- 5.75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as adjusted ....................................... $ 0.30 $ 0.33 $ 0.71 $ 6.60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations, as reported .............. $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.70 $ 0.78
Goodwill amortization ....................................... -- 0.03 -- 0.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as adjusted .............. 0.30 0.33 0.70 0.85
Discontinued operations ..................................... -- -- -- 5.70
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as adjusted ....................................... $ 0.30 $ 0.33 $ 0.70 $ 6.55
========================================================================================================
8 Subsequent Event
In April 2002, the Company acquired the stock of Howard Publications, Inc.
(Howard), a privately owned company comprised of 16 daily newspapers, one
of which is jointly owned, and related specialty publications. The
transaction is valued at $694,000,000 and was funded in part with
approximately $434,000,000 in cash and temporary cash investments. New
bank borrowing funded the remainder of the purchase price. Certain
non-publishing businesses are not included in the transaction.
The Company paid the purchase price and expenses related to the
transaction from $434,000,000 of available funds, including proceeds from
the sale of its broadcast properties, which was substantially completed in
October 2000, and revolving loans under the terms of a five year,
$350,000,000 credit agreement dated as of March 28, 2002 among the
Company, Bank of America, N.A. (BofA), as administrative agent, and the
other lenders party thereto. The initial interest rate of the revolving
loans is, at the option of the Company, LIBOR plus 1.25% or a base rate
equal to the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the BofA prime
rate. The credit agreement contains covenants, including interest coverage
and leverage ratios, which are not expected to be restrictive to normal
operations or historical amounts of stockholder dividends.
The representations and warranties of Howard stockholders are secured for
varying amounts pursuant to an escrow agreement between the Company and
the indemnifying Howard stockholders.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The following discussion includes comments and analysis relating to the
Company's results of operations and financial condition as of and for the three
months and six months ended March 31, 2002. This discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes
thereto.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "Safe Harbor"
for forward-looking statements. This report contains information that may be
deemed forward-looking and that is based largely on the Company's current
expectations and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among
such risks, trends and other uncertainties are changes in advertising demand,
newsprint prices, interest rates, labor costs, legislative and regulatory
rulings and other results of operations or financial conditions, difficulties in
integration of acquired business or maintaining employee and customer
relationships and increased capital and other costs. The words "may," "will,"
"would," "could," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans,"
"projects," "considers" and similar expressions generally identify
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this report.
The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking
statements.
9
CONTINUING OPERATIONS - QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 2002
Operating results, as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, are
summarized below:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, except per common share data) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenue .................................. $ 100,066 $ 101,957 (1.9)%
Income before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA) (1) ................... 26,192 23,771 10.2
Operating income ................................... 20,720 15,594 32.8
Nonoperating income (expense), net ................. (376) 5,016 NM
Income from continuing operations .................. 13,124 13,141 (0.1)
Earnings per common share:
Basic ........................................... $ 0.30 $ 0.30 --%
Diluted ......................................... 0.30 0.30 --
==============================================================================================
<FN>
(1) EBITDA is not a financial performance measurement under accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP performance
measurements. EBITDA is also not reflected in the Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows, but it is a common and meaningful alternative performance
measurement for comparison to other companies in the newspaper publishing
industry. The computation also excludes other nonoperating items, primarily
the gains and losses on sales of businesses and losses related to other
ventures.
</FN>
Revenue, as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, consists of the
following:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising:
Retail .......................................... $ 37,451 $ 37,078 1.0%
National ........................................ 2,485 2,560 (2.9)
Classified:
Employment ................................... 5,144 6,589 (21.9)
Automotive ................................... 4,862 4,855 0.1
Real estate .................................. 3,690 3,613 2.1
All other .................................... 8,673 9,169 (5.4)
Total classified ................................ 22,369 24,226 (7.7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total advertising .................................. 62,305 63,864 (2.4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circulation ........................................ 20,194 19,729 2.4
Other:
Commercial printing ............................. 5,750 6,318 (9.0)
Internet/online ................................. 1,592 1,327 20.0
Niche publications and other .................... 6,147 6,831 (10.0)
Editorial service contracts ..................... 2,326 2,570 (9.5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15,815 17,046 (7.2)
Equity in net income of associated companies ....... 1,752 1,318 32.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenue ............................ $ 100,066 $ 101,957 (1.9)%
=================================================================================================
Revenue and Operating Expenses - Same Property
The following discussion of revenue and operating expenses is presented on an
operating basis, which includes 100% of the revenue and expenses of MNI, which
is owned 50% by the Company and accounted for in the Consolidated Financial
Statements using the equity method. It is also exclusive of acquisitions and
divestitures. The Company believes such comparisons provide the most meaningful
information for an understanding of its business.
10
The quarter ended March 31, 2002 had one more Sunday and one fewer Monday
compared to the same period last year, which positively impacts substantially
all categories of revenue.
Advertising lineage, as reported on an operating basis for daily newspapers
only, consists of the following:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Inches) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising:
Retail ................................ 581 584 (0.5)%
National .............................. 94 89 5.6
Classified ............................ 1,512 1,521 (0.6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,187 2,194 (0.3)%
================================================================================
For the three months ended March 31, 2002, total revenue declined $715,000, or
0.6%, with a decline in total advertising revenue of $573,000, or 0.7%, and a
decline in total advertising lineage of 7,000 inches, or 0.3%. Retail revenue
increased $1,601,000, or 3.6%, and retail rates increased 4.3% during the same
three-month period. Increased emphasis on rate discipline and new accounts
helped offset declines in advertising volume caused by weak economic conditions.
Classified advertising revenue decreased approximately $2,155,000, or 7.0%, for
the three months ended March 31, 2002. Higher margin employment advertising at
the daily newspapers accounted for substantially all of the decrease and
declined 24.6% for the period. The national help wanted index registered a 36%
decline in employment advertising lineage for the same period. Real estate
advertising increased 3.6% due in part to attractive mortgage rates. The
automotive category was flat.
Circulation revenue increased $754,000, or 3.1%. The Company's unaudited daily
newspaper circulation increased 1.6% and Sunday circulation increased 0.7% for
the three months ended March 31, 2002. The Company remains focused on growing
circulation units through a number of initiatives.
Other revenue decreased $896,000, or 4.3%. Commercial printing was down
$582,000, or 7.3% for the quarter due to losses of, or declines in volume from,
key customers. Internet/online revenue increased $298,000, or 20.6%, due to
growth in advertising revenue and cross-selling with the Company's newspapers,
partially offsetting the overall decline in other revenue.
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain operating
expenses:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation ............................................... 39.9% 40.0%
Newsprint and ink .......................................... 8.8 10.6
Other operating expenses ................................... 24.6 25.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73.3 76.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA Margin .............................................. 26.7 24.0
Depreciation and amortization .............................. 5.2 7.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating margin ........................................... 21.5% 16.6%
================================================================================
Costs other than depreciation and amortization decreased $3,730,000, or 4.0%.
Compensation expense decreased $423,000, or 0.9%, due to workforce reductions,
delayed salary increases and changes in benefit programs. Overall, full-time
equivalent personnel declined 3.2%. Newsprint and ink costs decreased
$2,216,000, or 17.0%, as the result of continued price decreases, offset
partially by a 3.2% increase in consumption. Other operating costs, exclusive of
depreciation and amortization, decreased $1,091,000, or 3.5%.
11
On October 1, 2001 the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statements 141 and
142. As a result, goodwill acquired in a purchase business combination is no
longer being amortized, but is tested for impairment annually. Amortization
expense related to goodwill was $2,088,000 for the three months ended March 31,
2001.
Nonoperating Income and Income Taxes - As Reported
Financial income decreased $5,964,000 to $2,467,000 in 2002, due to a
significant decline in reinvestment rates in the Company's investment portfolio
and, to a lesser extent, investment in tax-exempt securities. Further, the
Company's invested balances have decreased due to required income tax payments,
offset to some extent by funds generated from operations.
Income taxes were 35.5% and 36.2% of income from continuing operations before
income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Municipal income in the current year reduced the effective tax rate. In
addition, the prior year effective tax rate included the effect of goodwill
amortization that was not deductible for tax purposes.
CONTINUING OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS ENDING MARCH 31, 2002
Operating results, as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, are
summarized below:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months Ended
March 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, except per common share data) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenue .................................. $ 211,693 $ 220,679 (4.1)%
Income before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA) ....................... 60,540 59,447 1.8
Operating income ................................... 49,077 43,235 13.5
Nonoperating income (expense), net ................. (955) 10,966 NM
Income from continuing operations .................. 31,124 34,156 (8.9)
Earnings per common share:
Basic ........................................... $ 0.71 $ 0.78 (9.0)%
Diluted ......................................... 0.70 0.78 (10.3)
==============================================================================================
Revenue, as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, consists of the
following:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months Ended
March 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising:
Retail .......................................... $ 84,351 $ 86,274 (2.2)%
National ........................................ 5,159 5,614 (8.1)
Classified:
Employment ................................... 10,263 13,889 (26.1)
Automotive ................................... 10,171 10,008 1.6
Real estate .................................. 7,574 7,529 0.6
All other .................................... 17,639 18,221 3.2
Total classified ................................ 45,647 49,647 (8.1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total advertising .................................. 135,157 141,535 (4.5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circulation ........................................ 40,786 40,903 (0.3)
Other:
Commercial printing ............................. 12,318 13,474 (8.6)
Internet/online ................................. 3,086 2,549 21.1
Niche publications and other .................... 11,956 13,445 (11.1)
Editorial service contracts ..................... 4,461 4,889 (8.8)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31,821 34,357 (7.4)
Equity in net income of associated companies ....... 3,929 3,884 1.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenue ............................ $ 211,693 $ 220,679 (4.1)%
===============================================================================================
12
Revenue and Operating Expenses - Same Property
The following discussion of revenue and operating expenses is presented on an
operating basis, which includes 100% of the revenue and expenses of MNI, which
is owned 50% by the Company and accounted for in the Consolidated Financial
Statements using the equity method. It is also exclusive of acquisitions and
divestitures. The Company believes such comparisons provide the most meaningful
information for an understanding of its business.
The six months ended March 31, 2002 had the same number of Sundays and weekdays
as the same period last year.
Advertising lineage, as reported on an operating basis for daily newspapers
only, consists of the following:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months Ended
March 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of Inches) 2002 2001 Percent Change
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising:
Retail .......................................... 3,626 3,796 (4.5)%
National ........................................ 191 213 (10.3)
Classified ...................................... 3,128 3,182 (1.7)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6,945 7,191 (3.4)%
=======================================================================================
For the six months ended March 31, 2002, total revenue declined $8,900,000, or
3.4%, with a decline in total advertising revenue of $6,733,000, or 3.9%, and a
decline in total advertising lineage of 246,000 inches, or 3.4%. Retail revenue
decreased $1,246,000, or 1.2%, while retail rates increased 3.3% during the same
six-month period. Increased emphasis on rate discipline and new accounts helped
offset declines in advertising volume caused by weak economic conditions.
Classified advertising revenue decreased approximately $4,979,000, or 8.0%, in
2002. Higher margin employment advertising at the daily newspapers accounted for
substantially all of the decrease and declined 29% for the six-month period. The
national help wanted index reflected a 37.8% decline in employment advertising
lineage for the same period. Automotive and other categories were flat.
Circulation revenue was flat year over year. The Company's audited daily
newspaper circulation increased 1.8% and Sunday circulation increased 0.4% for
the six months ended March 31, 2002. The Company is focused on growing
circulation units through a number of initiatives.
Other revenue decreased $2,113,000, or 5.1%. Commercial printing declined
$1,016,000, or 6.0%, due to losses of, or declines in volume from, key
customers. Internet/online revenue increased $529,000, or 18.8%, due to growth
in advertising revenue and cross-selling with the Company's newspapers,
partially offsetting the overall decline in other revenue.
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenue of certain operating
expenses:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months Ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation ................................................ 38.0% 37.8%
Newsprint and ink ........................................... 9.3 10.4
Other operating expenses .................................... 24.0 24.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71.3 72.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA Margin ............................................... 28.7 27.6
Depreciation and amortization ............................... 5.2 6.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating margin ............................................ 23.5% 20.8%
================================================================================
Costs other than depreciation and amortization decreased $9,073,000, or 4.7%.
Compensation expense decreased $2,859,000, or 2.8%, due to workforce reductions,
delayed salary increases and changes in benefit programs. Overall, full-time
equivalent personnel declined 3.4%. Newsprint and ink costs decreased
$3,716,000, or 13.5%, as the result of continued price decreases offsetting a
0.9% increase in consumption. Other operating costs, exclusive of depreciation
and amortization, decreased $2,498,000, or 3.9%.
13
On October 1, 2001 the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statements 141 and
142. As a result, goodwill acquired in a purchase business combination is no
longer being amortized, but is tested for impairment annually. Amortization
expense related to goodwill was $4,176,000 for the six months ended March 31,
2001.
Nonoperating Income and Income Taxes - As Reported
Financial income decreased $12,707,000 to $5,235,000 in 2002, due to a
significant decline in reinvestment rates in the Company's investment portfolio
and, to a lesser extent, investment in tax-exempt securities. Further, the
Company's invested balances have decreased due to required income tax payments,
offset to some extent by funds generated from operations.
Income taxes were 35.3% and 37.0% of income from continuing operations before
income taxes for the six months ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Municipal income in the current year reduced the effective tax rate. In
addition, the prior year effective tax rate included the effect of goodwill
amortization that was not deductible for tax purposes.
Discontinued Operations
In March 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company made a determination to
sell its broadcast properties. In May 2000 the Company entered into an agreement
to sell substantially all of its broadcasting operations, consisting of eight
network-affiliated and seven satellite television stations, to Emmis
Communications Corporation and consummated the transaction in October 2000. The
net proceeds of approximately $565,000,000 resulted in an after-tax gain for
financial reporting purposes of approximately $250,800,000. The results for the
broadcast properties have been classified as discontinued operations for all
periods presented.
In July 2001, the Company completed the sale of its last broadcasting property.
Net proceeds of the sale totaled approximately $7,600,000. The after-tax gain of
approximately $4,000,000 on the sale is reflected in discontinued operations.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $40,238,000
for the six months ended March 31, 2002 and $45,947,000 for the same period in
2001. Reduced income from continuing operations and decreased depreciation and
amortization offset changes in working capital.
Cash provided by investing activities totaled $105,588,000 during the six months
ended March 31, 2002, and consumed $467,727,000 in the prior year. Changes in
the Company's mix of investments account for the majority of the change.
The Company anticipates that funds necessary for capital expenditures, which are
expected to total approximately $12,000,000 in 2002, and other requirements will
be available from internally generated funds, its remaining investment portfolio
and, if necessary, by accessing the capital markets.
The Company entered into a five year, $350,000,000 Credit Agreement in March
2002. The primary purposes of the agreement were to fund the acquisition of
Howard Publications, Inc. as described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, and to provide liquidity for other corporate purposes.
Under the terms of the Company's 1998 Note Purchase Agreement (the 1998
Agreement), the Company was required to repay the outstanding balance of
$161,800,000 on October 1, 2002 unless the Company reinvested the net proceeds
of the sale of its broadcast operations or obtained a waiver or amendment of
that provision of the 1998 Agreement. The acquisition described in Note 8 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements satisfies the conditions of the Company's 1998
Agreement with regard to reinvestment of the net proceeds of the sale of
broadcast operations. If repayment had been required, a substantial prepayment
penalty would have also been required, based upon interest rates in effect at
that time. Other covenants under this agreement are not considered restrictive
to normal operations or historical amounts of stockholder dividends.
Cash required for financing activities totaled $4,105,000 during the six months
ended March 31, 2002, and $48,957,000 in the prior year. Debt repayments and
lower stock activity account for the differences between years.
Cash required for discontinued operations totaled $43,195,000 during the six
months ended March 31, 2002, primarily for income tax payments related to the
gain on sale of discontinued operations. Cash provided by discontinued
operations totaling $479,231,000 in the prior year primarily reflects net
proceeds from the sale of such operations.
14
OTHER FACTORS
The Company has not been significantly impacted by inflationary pressures over
the last several years. The Company anticipates that changing costs of
newsprint, its basic raw material, may impact future operating costs. Price
increases (or decreases) for the Company's products are implemented when deemed
appropriate by management. The Company continuously evaluates price increases,
productivity improvements and cost reductions to mitigate the impact of
inflation.
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to market risk stemming from changes in interest rates
and commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in
earnings and cash flows. In the normal course of business, exposure to certain
of these market risks is managed as described below.
Interest Rates
Interest rate risk in the Company's investment portfolio is managed by investing
only in securities with a maturity at date of acquisition of 180 days or less.
The average maturity of the investment portfolio is 17 days at March 31, 2002.
Only high-quality investments are considered. In April 2002, the Company
liquidated substantially all of its investment portfolio, in conjunction with
the acquisition of Howard Publications, Inc.
The Company's debt structure and interest rate risk are managed through the use
of fixed and floating rate debt. The Company's primary exposure is to United
States interest rates.
Commodities
Certain materials used by the Company are exposed to commodity price changes.
The Company manages this risk through instruments such as purchase orders and
non-cancelable supply contracts. The Company is also involved in continuing
programs to mitigate the impact of cost increases through identification of
sourcing and operating efficiencies. Primary commodity price exposures are
newsprint and, to a lesser extent, ink.
A $10 per ton newsprint price increase would result in an annualized reduction
in income from continuing operations before income taxes of approximately
$650,000, excluding MNI.
Sensitivity to Changes in Value
The estimates that follow are intended to measure the maximum potential fair
value or earnings the Company could lose in one year from adverse changes in
market interest rates under normal market conditions. The calculations are not
intended to represent actual losses in fair value or earnings that the Company
expects to incur. The estimates do not consider favorable changes in market
rates. The positions included in the calculations are temporary cash
investments, which total $108,380,000 at March 31, 2002, and fixed-rate debt,
which totals $173,400,000.
The table below presents the estimated maximum potential one-year loss in fair
value and earnings before income taxes from a 100 basis point movement in
interest rates on market risk sensitive instruments outstanding at March 31,
2002:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Impact on
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing
Operations Before Income
(Thousands) Fair Value Taxes
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temporary cash investments ....... $ (50) $(1,033)
Fixed rate debt .................. (6,900) --
================================================================================
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Information with respect to this item is included in Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading
"Market Risk Management."
15
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders the Company was held on January 23, 2002.
Rance E. Crain was re-elected, and Herbert W. Moloney III was elected, as
directors for a three-year terms expiring at the 2005 annual meeting. Directors
whose terms of office continued after the meeting are: Mary E. Junck, William E.
Mayer, Mark Vittert, Gregory P. Schermer, Andrew E. Newman and Gordon D.
Prichett.
Votes were cast, all by proxy, for nominees for director as follows:
For Withheld
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rance E. Crain 101,906,434 4,975,585
Herbert W. Moloney III 101,902,692 4,979,327
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Exhibits: 3 Amended and restated By-Laws as of January 23, 2002.
The following reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three months
ended March 31, 2002.
Date of Report: February 12, 2002
Item 9. The Company issued a news release on February 11 announcing
plans to conduct a conference call and webcast on
February 12, 2002.
Date of Report: February 12, 2002
Item 5. The Company announced plans to acquire all of the outstanding
stock of Howard Publications, Inc. and a new $350,000,000
credit facility.
16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
/s/ Carl G. Schmidt DATE: May 15, 2002
- -------------------------------------------
Carl G. Schmidt
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
17