McClatchy Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- McClatchy (NYSE-MNI) today reported a net loss in the second quarter of 2016 excluding certain items (adjusted loss), of $1.5 million, a $1.6 million decline from the second quarter of 2015.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported a net loss in the second quarter of 2016 of $14.7 million, or $1.89 per share. In the second quarter of 2015, the company reported a net loss of $296.5 million, or $33.91 per share, which included a non-cash impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets of $300.4 million. 

Pat Talamantes, McClatchy's president and CEO, said, "As we look at the second quarter and first half results we see relative stability in operating cash flow and free cash flow compared to 2015 and continued success in our digital business. Our free cash flow for the trailing twelve months ending in the second quarter of 2016 was $63.4 million, an improvement over the $56.1 million for the trailing twelve months ending in the first quarter of 2016. We again reported strong digital-only results, up 16.1% in digital-only advertising in the quarter -- our third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. We expect double-digit growth in the second half of 2016 as well. Our average unique visitors to our digital platforms grew 31.1% to more than 53 million. 

"Importantly, we continue to deliver on our digital transformation through innovative investments and partnerships, including being an original partner and leader in Nucleus Marketing Solutions (Nucleus). Nucleus, a marketing solutions network for national advertisers, officially launched on July 1, 2016, and is a great example of how our industry can work together to create new business models. McClatchy intends to help lead that process, whether it is through Nucleus, the Local Media Consortium or shared investments. 

"We also made further progress in reducing legacy costs. In the second quarter, we announced we were moving our production operations in Wichita, Kan., and Fresno, Ca., to other McClatchy facilities and our Lexington, Ky., production operations to a third party. This type of consolidation not only allows for significant costs savings, but also allows us to unlock the value of our real estate portfolio. As a result of these moves, Wichita's main building is now one of three properties contracted for sale and anticipated to close in 2016. In fact, our efforts to monetize our real estate assets are beginning to show results. We are in the process of working with prospective buyers on our Sacramento, CA, Kansas City, MO, and Columbia, SC main office buildings and printing facilities for sale-leaseback transactions, as well as working with potential interested buyers on terms for several other properties."

Talamantes continued, "We have been pleased with the feedback received on the reverse stock split which has now been effective for more than a month. Along with the reverse stock split, the Board also approved an amendment to the share repurchase plan, increasing the total available for repurchases through 2016 from $15 million to $20 million. Under that program, we repurchased 234,000 shares of Class A stock during the quarter. Cumulatively through the second quarter of 2016, total shares repurchased reached 1.2 million at an average price of $11.99."

Second Quarter Results

Total revenues in the second quarter of 2016 were $242.2 million, down 7.7% compared to the second quarter of 2015. Total advertising revenues were down 11.1% compared to the second quarter of 2015. The declines in advertising revenues are mainly attributable to continued softness in traditional print advertising and direct marketing. 

Digital-only advertising revenues grew 16.1% in the second quarter of 2016 and total digital advertising revenues were up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. The growth in digital and digital-only revenues is largely attributable to the national and retail advertising categories, which have been consistent digital leaders. 

Audience revenues were $90.5 million, down less than one-half percent while digital audience revenues grew 1.5% from the second quarter of 2015. Digital-only audience revenues were up 11.2%, and the number of digital-only subscribers ended the quarter at 80,000, representing an increase of 5.9% from the second quarter of 2015.

Product enhancements, audience growth initiatives and journalistic excellence combined to attract a record 53.6 million average total unique visitors in the second quarter. Local unique visitors to the company's online products grew to approximately 13.6 million. These results represented average growth of 31.1% in total unique visitors and 16.1% in local unique visitors in the second quarter of 2016, compared to the same quarter in 2015. Mobile users represented 52.9% of total monthly unique visitors.

Revenues excluding print newspaper advertising accounted for 70.4% of total revenues in the second quarter of 2016, an increase from 66.8% in the second quarter of 2015. 

Results in the second quarter of 2016 included the following items:

• Severance charges totaling $5.6 million ($3.4 million after-tax);
• Accelerated depreciation charges totaling $3.8 million ($2.3 million after-tax);
• A $1.1 million non-cash loss related to the sale of the Charlotte Observer's building and land by the company's pension plan ($0.7 million after tax);
• Certain other charges totaling $10.8 million ($6.8 million after-tax).

Adjusted losses excluding the items above were $1.5 million. Operating cash expenses, excluding severance and certain other charges, declined 8.1% from the second quarter of 2016 to the same quarter last year. Operating cash flow was $39.3 million in the second quarter of 2016, down 5.3% compared to the second quarter last year and was consistent with the decline in the first quarter of 2016 of 5.4% versus the same period in 2015. (Non-GAAP measurements impacting income, cash expenses and operating cash flows are discussed below.)

First Six Months Results

Total revenues for the first six months of 2016 were $480.2 million, down 7.6% compared to the first six months of 2015. Advertising revenues were $277.2 million, down 10.5% compared to the first six months of last year. Softness in print advertising negatively impacted traditional newspaper and direct marketing advertising revenues, while digital advertising revenues grew.

The adjusted loss in the first half of 2016 was $9.4 million, a $0.8 million decline from the first half of 2015.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported a net loss for the first six months of 2016 of $27.5 million, or $3.48 per share, compared to a net loss for the first six months of 2015 of $307.8 million or $35.25 a share, which included a non-cash impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets of $300.4 million. 

Results for the first six months of 2016 included the following items:

• Severance charges totaling $8.7 million ($5.3 million after-tax);
• Accelerated depreciation charges totaling $6.6 million ($4.0 million after-tax);
• A gain on the extinguishment of debt totaling $1.5 million ($1.0 million after-tax);
• A $1.1 million non-cash loss related to the sale of the Charlotte Observer's building and land by the company's pension plan ($0.7 million after tax);
• Non-cash charges related to a write-down of an equity investment totaling $0.9 million ($0.6 million after-tax);
• Certain other charges totaling $15.0 million ($9.4 million after-tax);
• Net decrease in taxes totaling $0.9 million for adjustments of certain deferred tax credits related to tax positions taken in prior years.

Adjusted losses excluding the items above were $9.4 million. Operating cash expenses, excluding severance and certain other charges, declined 7.9% from the first six months of 2016 compared to the same period last year. Operating cash flow was $65.0 million for the first six months of 2016, down 5.3% compared to the first six months of 2015. (Non-GAAP measurements impacting income, cash expenses and operating cash flows are discussed below.)

Other Second Quarter Business and Financial Highlights

Interest expense declined by $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015, and declined $3.0 million for the first six months of 2016 compared to the first six months of 2015.

Debt at the end of the second quarter of 2016 was $906.5 million. The company finished the quarter with $15.9 million in cash. The leverage ratio at the end of the second quarter as defined in the company's credit agreement was 4.93 times cash flow compared to a maximum leverage covenant of 6.0 times cash flow (as defined).

The previously announced 1-for-10 reverse stock split became effective upon the opening of the market on June 7, 2016. The split reduced the outstanding Class A common shares from 52.5 million to approximately 5.2 million, and the opening price on the first day of trading after the reverse stock split was $11.50 per share. 

During the second quarter of 2016, the company repurchased approximately 234 thousand shares of Class A Common stock at a weighted average price of $11.54 per share under its share repurchase program. The program, which was launched in 2015, and later revised in May of 2016, provides for $20 million of share repurchases through 2016. Under the program, total cumulative shares repurchased through the second quarter of 2016 were approximately 1.2 million shares, or $14.2 million of the total authorized repurchase program.

Outlook

The company reaffirms the guidance provided for all of 2016. Digital-only advertising revenue is expected to grow at a double-digit rate in the second half of 2016. While the company remains committed to communicating the value of print advertising, the declining trends in direct marketing and print advertising are not anticipated to subside in the next two quarters. Management expects print advertising revenues will continue to become a smaller portion of advertising and total revenues.

Audience revenues are expected to be relatively flat for all of 2016. Management will be vigilant in reducing legacy costs and finding efficiencies and expect cash expenses to decline in the second half and full year 2016. Management will also remain focused on growing digital revenues, stabilizing operating cash flow, reducing debt and interest costs and creating shareholder value.

The company's statistical report, which summarizes revenue performance for the second quarter and first six months of 2016, is attached. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") included in this press release, the company has presented non-GAAP financial measures such as gross revenues, adjusted net loss, operating cash flow, operating cash flow margin, and free cash flow from operations. Adjusted net loss is defined as net loss from continuing operations excluding amounts (net of tax) for a gain on the sale of an equity investment, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment, impairment charges related to equity investments, gain on extinguishment of debt, severance charges, accelerated depreciation on equipment, real estate related charges, certain other charges, reversal of interest on tax items and certain discrete tax items. Operating cash flow is defined as operating loss plus depreciation and amortization, severance charges and certain other charges. Operating cash flow margin is defined as operating cash flow divided by total net revenues. Free cash flow from operations is defined as operating cash flow less cash paid for interest, taxes from operations, and capital expenditures. These non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to GAAP measures in the attached schedule. Management believes these non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with the company's GAAP financials, provide useful information to investors by offering:

• the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the company's ongoing operating results;
• the ability to better identify trends in the company's underlying business;
• a better understanding of how management plans and measures the company's underlying business; and
• an easier way to compare the company's most recent operating results against investor and analyst financial models and industry peers.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute or an alternative to these computations calculated in accordance with and required by GAAP. McClatchy's non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Conference Call Information

At noon Eastern time today, McClatchy will review its results in a conference call (877-278-1205, pass code 46046207) and webcast (www.mcclatchy.com). The webcast will be archived at McClatchy's website.

About McClatchy

McClatchy is a 21^st century news and information leader, publisher of iconic brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News and Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. McClatchy operates media companies in 28 U.S. markets in 14 states, providing each of its communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. McClatchy is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif., and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

Additional Information

Statements in this press release regarding future financial and operating results, including revenues, anticipated savings from cost reduction efforts, cash flows, debt levels, as well as future opportunities for the company and any other statements about management's future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: McClatchy may not generate cash from operations, or otherwise, necessary to reduce debt or meet debt covenants as expected; we may not be successful in the reducing debt whether through tenders offers, open market repurchase programs or other negotiated transactions; transactions, including sales of real estate properties, may not close as anticipated or result in cash distributions in the amount or timing anticipated; McClatchy may not successfully implement audience strategies designed to increase audience revenues and may experience decreased audience volumes or subscriptions; McClatchy may experience diminished revenues from retail, classified, national and direct marketing advertising; McClatchy may not achieve its expense reduction targets including efforts related to legacy expense initiatives or may do harm to its operations in attempting to achieve such targets; McClatchy's operations have been, and will likely continue to be, adversely affected by competition, including competition from internet publishing and advertising platforms; increases in the cost of newsprint; bankruptcies or financial strain of its major advertising customers; litigation or any potential litigation; geo-political uncertainties including the risk of war; changes in printing and distribution costs from anticipated levels, including changes in postal rates or agreements; changes in interest rates; changes in pension assets and liabilities; changes in factors that impact pension contribution requirements, including, without limitation, the value of the company-owned real property that McClatchy has contributed to its pension plan; increased consolidation among major retailers in our markets or other events depressing the level of advertising; our inability to negotiate and obtain favorable terms under collective bargaining agreements with unions; competitive action by other companies; our ability to remain in compliance with NYSE listing standards; an inability to fully implement and execute its share repurchase plan; and other factors, many of which are beyond our control; as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's publicly filed documents, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 27, 2015, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. McClatchy disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

SOURCE McClatchy

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