UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended: December 25, 2005
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 1-9824
The McClatchy Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 52-2080478 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA | 95816 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 916-321-1846
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. x Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ Yes x No
Indicate by 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. x Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ¨ Yes x No
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Based on the closing price of the Companys Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 24, 2005: approximately $1,400,326,000. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, as required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of officers and directors of the Registrant and members of their families, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrants classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Shares outstanding as of February 17, 2006:
Class A Common Stock | 20,599,579 Shares | |
Class B Common Stock | 26,207,397 Shares |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Definitive Proxy Statement for the Companys May 17, 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated in Part II and Part III to the extent provided in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 hereof).
INDEX TO THE McCLATCHY COMPANY
2005 FORM 10-K
Item No. |
Page | |||
PART I | ||||
1. |
1 | |||
1 | ||||
1 | ||||
2 | ||||
2 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | ||||
6 | ||||
7 | ||||
7 | ||||
7 | ||||
1A. |
8 | |||
1B. |
8 | |||
2. |
9 | |||
3. |
9 | |||
4. |
9 | |||
PART II | ||||
5. |
10 | |||
6. |
11 | |||
7. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
12 | ||
7A. |
22 | |||
8. |
23 | |||
9. |
Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
42 | ||
9A. |
42 | |||
9B. |
43 | |||
PART III | ||||
10. |
43 | |||
11. |
44 | |||
12. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
44 | ||
13. |
44 | |||
14. |
44 | |||
PART IV | ||||
15. |
44 |
PART I
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
The Company maintains a website which includes an investor relations page available to all interested parties at www.mcclatchy.com. All filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, along with any amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website at www.mcclatchy.com/investor/. In addition, paper copies of any such filings are available free of charge by contacting us at the address listed on the cover page of this filing. The contents of this website are not incorporated into this filing. Further, our reference to the URL for this website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
The McClatchy Company (the Company) was formed in 1998 as a Delaware corporation serving as a holding company owning McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. and Cowles Media Company. All references to the Company in this Report include McClatchy Newspapers, Inc., the predecessor in interest to the Company prior to the acquisition of Cowles Media Company.
The Company dates from the California Gold Rush era of 1857. Its three original California newspapersThe Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee and The Modesto Beewere the core of the Company until 1979 when the Company began to diversify geographically outside of California. At that time it purchased two newspapers in the Northwest, the Anchorage Daily News and the Tri-City Herald in Southeastern Washington. In 1986, the Company purchased The (Tacoma) News Tribune. The Company expanded into the Carolinas when it purchased newspapers in South Carolina in 1990 and The News and Observer Publishing Company in North Carolina in 1995. In 1998 the Company expanded into Minnesota with the acquisition of The Star Tribune Company. It expanded further in California with the purchase of the Merced Sun-Star and five related non-daily newspapers (the Merced Group) in 2004.
During 2005, the Company owned and published 29 newspapers in the United States. These newspapers range from large dailies serving metropolitan areas to non-daily newspapers serving small communities. For the fiscal year 2005 the Company had an average paid daily circulation of 1,401,836, Sunday circulation of 1,787,700 and non-daily circulation of 50,948.
Each of the Companys newspapers is largely autonomous in its business and editorial operations so as to meet most effectively the needs of the communities it serves. Publishers and editors of the newspapers make the day-to-day decisions and, within limits, are responsible for their own budgeting and planning.
Each of the Companys daily newspapers has the largest circulation of any newspaper serving its particular community. The Company believes that this circulation advantage is of primary importance in attracting advertising, the principal source of revenues for the Company. Advertising revenues approximated 84% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2005 and 2004. Circulation revenues approximated 14% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2005 and 2004.
The Companys newspapers supplement their newspaper publishing operations with an array of niche products and direct marketing initiatives, including direct mail. While the direct marketing operations are financially successful in their own right, they also help retain advertising in the newspapers. The newspapers also operate leading local websites in each daily newspaper market, offering users information, comprehensive news, advertising, e-commerce and other services. Online advertising, particularly classified advertising, has become one of the Companys fastest growing revenue sources, albeit still a small part of each newspapers operations. The Companys websites were visited by 79,758,000 unique visitors in fiscal 2005, a gain of 9.5% over fiscal 2004. Together with the mass reach of its in-paper advertising, these lines of business help each of the Companys newspapers maintain its position as a leading media outlet in each of its daily newspaper markets.
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The Companys newspaper business is somewhat seasonal, with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of increased advertising activity during holiday seasons. The first quarter is historically the weakest quarter for revenues and profits.
The Company also owns McClatchy Interactive, an interactive media operation whose primary mission is to be a technology and content partner to the Companys newspaper internet sites. In addition, the Company is a partner (13.5% interest) in Ponderay Newsprint Company, a general partnership that owns and operates a newsprint mill in Washington State.
Forward-Looking StatementsWhen used in this Report, the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading Risk Factors that Could Affect Operating Results in Part I, Item 1A that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report.
The Star Tribune, a morning newspaper serving Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding metropolitan area, is the Companys largest newspaper, contributing 31.9% of fiscal 2005 revenues compared to 32.7% of fiscal 2004 revenues. In fiscal 2005 the Star Tribunes daily average paid circulation decreased 0.9% to 376,936 and Sunday average paid circulation decreased 4.9% to 639,029. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 74% of the daily and Sunday circulation was home delivered. The Star Tribune competes in the eastern portion of its market with the Pioneer Press, which operates in St. Paul, Minnesota, and whose daily circulation is approximately one half and whose Sunday circulation is approximately one third of the Star Tribunes circulation.
The Star Tribunes advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
1,767 | 1,895 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
1,318 | 1,223 |
The Star Tribunes fiscal 2005 net revenues decreased 0.4% to $378,635,000 from fiscal 2004 revenues of $380,103,000.
The California newspapers include the three Bee newspapers, the Merced Sun-Star, six weekly newspapers and a Spanish-language, non-daily newspaper. The net revenues and circulation of these newspapers are summarized below:
2005 Circulation (1) |
Net Revenues | |||||||||
Newspaper |
Daily/Weekly |
Sunday |
2005 |
2004 | ||||||
The Sacramento Bee |
293,350 | 334,234 | $ | 259,741,000 | $ | 249,866,000 | ||||
The Fresno Bee |
160,769 | 186,454 | 105,440,000 | 101,017,000 | ||||||
The Modesto Bee |
83,861 | 88,945 | 63,861,000 | 61,993,000 | ||||||
Merced Sun-Star |
16,435 | N/A | 11,515,000 | 10,657,000 | ||||||
Non-daily newspapers |
15,726 | N/A | 6,814,000 | 5,878,000 |
(1) | Based on fiscal year average paid circulation. |
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The California newspapers produced approximately 37.7% of total Company net revenues in fiscal 2005, compared to 36.9% in fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2005 net revenues at the California newspapers increased 4.2% from fiscal 2004.
The Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee is a morning newspaper serving the California state capital and the surrounding region. In fiscal year 2005, The Sacramento Bees average paid circulation decreased 1.9% daily and decreased 3.5% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 84% of the daily and 80% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The Sacramento Bees advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
2,568 | 2,586 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
753 | 718 |
The Sacramento Bees fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 4.0% from fiscal 2004 revenues.
The Fresno Bee
The Fresno Bee is a morning newspaper serving the Fresno, California metropolitan area. The Fresno Bees fiscal year 2005 average paid circulation decreased 1.6% daily and decreased 3.1% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 85% of The Fresno Bees daily and 86% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The Fresno Bees advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
1,307 | 1,303 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
338 | 336 |
The Fresno Bees fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 4.4% from 2004.
The Modesto Bee
The Modesto Bee is a morning newspaper that serves the Modesto, California metropolitan area, located between Sacramento and Fresno. The Modesto Bees fiscal year 2005 average paid circulation decreased 1.2% daily and 2.5% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 81% of the daily and 84% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The Modesto Bees advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004, are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
1,305 | 1,299 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
182 | 189 |
The Modesto Bees fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 3.0% from fiscal 2004.
Merced Sun-Star
The Merced Sun-Star is a morning newspaper that serves the Merced, California metropolitan area, which is located between Modesto and Fresno. Merced publishes a daily newspaper Monday through Friday and a weekend edition on Saturday. Average daily paid circulation for fiscal 2005 decreased 6.2%. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 80% of the daily circulation was home delivered.
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The Merced Sun-Stars advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
652 | 600 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
55 | 44 |
The Carolina newspapers include The News & Observer, the second largest newspaper in North Carolina, and three daily newspapers in South Carolina. The Company also operates eight non-daily newspapers in North and South Carolina strategically located near its daily newspapers.
The net revenues and circulation of the Carolina newspapers are summarized below:
2005 Circulation (1) |
Net Revenues | |||||||||
Newspaper |
Daily/Weekly |
Sunday |
2005 |
2004 | ||||||
The News & Observer (Raleigh) |
171,794 | 211,490 | $ | 136,843,000 | $ | 136,778,000 | ||||
The Herald (Rock Hill) |
31,575 | 33,021 | 13,984,000 | 13,726,000 | ||||||
The Island Packet (Hilton Head) |
19,854 | 20,509 | 18,081,000 | 16,805,000 | ||||||
The Beaufort Gazette |
12,537 | 11,326 | 6,765,000 | 6,855,000 | ||||||
Non-daily newspapers |
22,905 | NA | 13,159,000 | 12,001,000 |
(1) | Based on fiscal year average paid circulation. |
The Carolina newspapers produced 15.9% of total Company net revenues in fiscal 2005, compared to 16.0% in 2004. Net revenues of the Carolina newspapers increased 1.4% from fiscal 2004.
The News & Observer
The News & Observer, the Companys third largest newspaper, is a morning daily serving North Carolinas state capital, Raleigh, and the Research Triangle, which includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The News & Observers average paid circulation in fiscal year 2005 increased approximately 0.4% daily and 0.2% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005 approximately 80% of the daily and 77% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The News & Observers advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
1,829 | 1,900 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
404 | 404 |
The News & Observers fiscal 2005 net revenues increased nominally from fiscal 2004.
The Herald
The Herald is a morning newspaper serving Rock Hill and surrounding communities in York County, South Carolina. Rock Hill is approximately 25 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Heralds fiscal year 2005 average daily paid circulation was unchanged from 2004, while Sunday circulation increased 0.2%.
The Heralds main competitor is a zoned edition of the Charlotte Observer, whose circulation in The Heralds primary circulation area is estimated to be approximately a third of The Heralds circulation. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 75% of the daily and Sunday circulation of The Herald was home delivered.
4
Advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
710 | 743 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
64 | 58 |
The Heralds fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 1.9% from fiscal 2004.
The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette
The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette serve Beaufort County in southeastern South Carolina. The Island Packet serves Hilton Head Island and the town of Bluffton. The Beaufort Gazette serves the city of Beaufort and northern Beaufort County encompassing surrounding islands of Ladys, St. Helena, Fripp and Parris. The management and many business functions of the two newspapers are combined to pursue regional strategies and operational synergies.
From fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005, the average paid circulation increased 4.8% daily and 3.6% Sunday at The Island Packet, and increased 0.7% daily and 0.4% Sunday at The Beaufort Gazette.
As of December 25, 2005, approximately 64% of the daily and 62% of Sunday circulation of The Island Packet was home delivered. Comparable amounts for The Beaufort Gazette were 56% daily and 64% Sunday.
Advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
The Island Packet: |
||||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
922 | 930 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
25 | 25 | ||
The Beaufort Gazette: |
||||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
355 | 379 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
18 | 18 |
The Island Packets fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 7.6% over fiscal 2004, while The Beaufort Gazettes net revenues decreased 1.3%.
The Company publishes five newspapers in Washington State and the largest daily newspaper in Alaska. The net revenues and circulation of these newspapers are summarized below:
2005 Circulation (1) |
Net Revenues | |||||||||
Newspaper |
Daily/Weekly |
Sunday |
2005 |
2004 | ||||||
The News Tribune |
125,057 | 139,738 | $ | 79,712,000 | $ | 79,274,000 | ||||
Anchorage Daily News |
67,712 | 78,111 | 59,241,000 | 57,574,000 | ||||||
Tri-City Herald |
41,956 | 44,843 | 26,376,000 | 24,932,000 | ||||||
Non-daily newspapers |
12,317 | NA | 4,775,000 | 4,973,000 |
(1) | Based on fiscal year average paid circulation. |
The Companys Northwest newspapers produced 14.3% of the Companys total net revenues in fiscal 2005 and 2004. Net revenues in fiscal 2005 at the Northwest newspapers increased 2.0% versus fiscal 2004.
5
The News Tribune
The News Tribune, a morning newspaper, primarily serves the Tacoma, Washington metropolitan area in Pierce and southern King counties. It is the third largest newspaper in Washington State. Tacoma is approximately 30 miles south of Seattle. The News Tribune competes in the northernmost fringes of its market with the Seattle metropolitan newspapers. In fiscal 2005, the average paid circulation of The News Tribune decreased 3.2% daily and decreased 2.9% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 85% of the daily and 84% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The News Tribunes advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
1,216 | 1,266 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
266 | 257 |
The News Tribunes fiscal 2005 net revenues decreased 0.6% from fiscal 2004.
Anchorage Daily News
The Anchorage Daily News, a morning newspaper, is Alaskas largest newspaper. The Anchorage Daily News circulates throughout the state of Alaska but its primary circulation is concentrated in the south central region of the state comprising metropolitan Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
The Anchorage Daily News fiscal year 2005 average paid circulation decreased 1.8% daily and 3.9% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005, approximately 68% of the daily and 64% of Sunday circulation was home delivered.
Advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004, are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
952 | 947 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
97 | 91 |
Anchorage Daily News fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 2.9% from fiscal 2004.
Tri-City Herald
The Tri-City Herald is a morning newspaper serving the Tri-Cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco in southeastern Washington. For fiscal 2005, the Tri-City Heralds average paid circulation decreased 0.3% daily and decreased 1.0% Sunday. As of December 25, 2005 approximately 86% of the daily and Sunday circulation was home delivered.
The Tri-City Heralds advertising volumes for fiscal 2005 and 2004 are set forth in the following table:
2005 |
2004 | |||
Full-Run advertising linage in thousands of six-column inches |
902 | 843 | ||
Preprints distributed in millions |
89 | 94 |
The Tri-City Heralds fiscal 2005 net revenues increased 5.8% from fiscal 2004.
The Companys rapidly expanding Internet activities have produced robust local websites in each of its daily newspaper markets. These efforts are supported by McClatchy Interactive, the Companys interactive media operation that provides newspapers with content, publishing tools, hosting services and software development. The primary mission of McClatchy Interactive is to be a technology and content partner to the Companys
6
newspaper internet sites. The Companys internet operations are included in the operations of each of its newspapers, and, internet revenues (primarily advertising) and expenses are reported in the newspapers results. McClatchy Interactive also provides services to other newspapers. Revenue from McClatchy Interactive is reported in Other Revenues in the statement of income.
During fiscal 2005, the Company consumed approximately 226,000 metric tons of newsprint compared to 241,000 metric tons in fiscal 2004. The reduction in tons consumed was primarily due to three of the Companys daily newspapers converting to lighter weight newsprint in fiscal 2005. The Company currently obtains its supply of newsprint from a number of suppliers primarily under long-term contracts.
Newsprint expense accounted for 14.6% of operating expenses in fiscal 2005 and 14.5% in fiscal 2004. Consequently, the Companys earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. A hypothetical $10 per metric ton change in newsprint prices affects earnings per share by three cents annually. Management believes its newsprint sources of supply under existing arrangements are adequate for its anticipated current needs. Significant increases in the price of newsprint would adversely affect the operating results of the Company.
The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Newsprint Ventures, Inc., and four other publishers and a major newsprint manufacturer are partners in Ponderay Newsprint Company, a general partnership, which owns and operates a newsprint mill located sixty miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. The mill has a production capacity in excess of 260,000 metric tons annually. The publisher partners have committed to take a total of 126,000 metric tons of this anticipated production with the balance to be sold on the open market. The Companys annual commitment is 28,400 metric tons. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and accompanying notes for further discussion of the impact of this investment on the Companys business.
The Companys newspapers, direct marketing programs and internet sites compete for advertising revenues and readers time with television, radio, other internet sites, direct mail companies, free shoppers, suburban neighborhood and national newspapers and other publications, and billboard companies, among others. In some of its markets (primarily Minneapolis, Minnesota; Tacoma, Washington; and Rock Hill, South Carolina), the Companys newspapers also compete with other newspapers published in nearby cities and towns. Competition for advertising is generally based upon circulation levels, readership demographics, price and advertiser results, while competition for circulation and readership is generally based upon the content, journalistic quality, service and the price of the newspaper. The Companys major daily newspapers lead their direct local newspaper competitors in both advertising linage and general circulation and readership in their respective markets, and its internet sites are leading local sites in each of the Companys major daily newspaper markets, based upon research conducted by the Company and various independent sources.
As of December 25, 2005, the Company had 8,948 full and part-time employees (equating to 7,619 full-time equivalent employees), of whom approximately 25% were represented by unions including 59% of employees at the Star Tribune and 23% of employees at The Sacramento Bee, the Companys two largest newspapers. Most of the Companys union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements expiring in various years. Seven of the Companys 12 daily papers have no unions.
While the Companys newspapers have not had a strike since 1980 and they do not currently anticipate a strike occurring, the Company cannot preclude the possibility that a strike may occur at one or more of its newspapers when future negotiations occur. The Company believes that, in the event of a newspaper strike, it would be able to continue to publish and deliver to subscribers, a capability which is critical to retaining revenues from advertising and circulation, although there can be no assurance of this.
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ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT OPERATING RESULTS |
Forward-Looking Information:
This quarterly report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements regarding the Companys actual and expected financial performance and operations. These statements are based upon our current expectations and knowledge of factors impacting our business, including, without limitation, statements about litigation, advertising revenues, return on pension plan assets and assumed salary increases, newsprint costs, amortization expense, stock option expenses, prepayment of debt, capital expenditures, sufficiency of capital resources and possible acquisitions. Such statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by, followed by or are a part of sentences that include the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, or similar expressions. For all of those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document and in the documents which we incorporate by reference, could affect the future results of McClatchy, and could cause those future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements: general economic, market or business conditions, especially in any of the markets where we operate newspapers; impact of any litigation or any potential litigation; geo-political uncertainties including the risk of war; changes in newsprint prices and/or printing and distribution costs from anticipated levels; changes in interest rates; changes in pension assets and liabilities; increased competition from newspapers or other forms of media in our principal markets; increased consolidation among major retailers in our newspaper markets or other events depressing the level of advertising; changes in our ability to negotiate and obtain favorable terms under collective bargaining arrangements with our employees; competitive action by other companies; difficulties in servicing our debt obligations; other occurrences leading to decreased circulation and diminished revenues from both retail and classified advertising; and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Additional Information Regarding Certain Risks:
Newsprint is the major component of our cost of raw materials. Newsprint accounted for 14.6% of McClatchys operating expenses for fiscal 2005. Accordingly, our earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. We have not attempted to hedge fluctuations in the normal purchases of newsprint or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint. If the price of newsprint increases materially, our operating results could be adversely affected. For a discussion of the impact of a change in newsprint prices on the Companys earnings per share, please see the newsprint discussion above at Recent Events and Trends. If our newsprint suppliers experience labor unrest, transportation difficulties or other supply disruptions, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired and/or the cost of the newsprint could increase, both of which would negatively affect our operating results.
If McClatchy experiences labor unrest, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired. The results of future labor negotiations could harm our operating results. Our newspapers have not endured a labor strike since 1980. However, we cannot ensure that a strike will not occur at one or more of our newspapers in the future. As of December 25, 2005, approximately a quarter of our full- and part-time employees were represented by unions including 59% at the Star Tribune and 23% at The Sacramento Bee, the Companys two largest newspapers. Most of the Companys union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements, which expire at various times. McClatchy faces collective bargaining upon the expirations of these labor agreements. Even if our newspapers do not suffer a labor strike, the Companys operating results could be harmed if the results of labor negotiations restrict our ability to maximize the efficiency of our newspaper operations.
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
8
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
The corporate headquarters of the Company are located at 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California. At December 25, 2005 the Company had newspaper production facilities in 12 markets situated in six states. These facilities vary in size and in total occupy about 4.1 million square feet. Approximately 817,000 of the total square footage is leased from others. The Company owns substantially all of its production equipment, although certain office equipment is leased.
The Company maintains its properties in good condition and believes that its current facilities are adequate to meet the present needs of its newspapers.
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
The Company becomes involved from time to time in claims and lawsuits incidental to the ordinary course of its business, including such matters as libel, invasion of privacy, intellectual property infringement, wrongful termination actions, and complaints alleging discrimination. In addition, the Company is involved from time to time in governmental and administrative proceedings concerning employment, labor, environmental and other claims. Historically, such claims and proceedings have not had a material adverse effect upon the Companys consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
A lawsuit filed against the Company on June 28, 2005 by four local employment agencies in Minneapolis alleged, in U.S. District Court of Minnesota, misstatements in the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) reported circulation volumes by the Star Tribune newspaper from 1999 through the present. On November 30, 2005 ABC released the results of its audit, confirming that no adjustments were required by the Star Tribune for any numbers previously reported to ABC. The Company entered into a settlement at the request of the plaintiffs which included reimbursement of certain of the plaintiffs legal fees for $17,000 and future advertising credits to the plaintiffs of up to $15,000, and the withdrawal of the plaintiffs from the suit. The suit was dismissed on January 3, 2006. The Company expended approximately $1.4 million in legal costs and other expenses ($1.0 million in the third quarter of 2005) to investigate the allegations and to defend against the suit.
ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
Not Applicable.
9
PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
The Companys Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE symbolMNI). A small amount of Class A Stock is also traded on the Midwest Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. The Companys Class B Stock is not publicly traded. The following table lists per share dividends paid on both classes of Common Stock and the prices of the Companys Class A Common Stock as reported by these exchanges for fiscal 2005 and 2004:
2005 |
2004 | |||||||||||||||||
High |
Low |
Dividends |
High |
Low |
Dividends | |||||||||||||
1st Quarter |
$ | 76.05 | $ | 69.62 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 72.05 | $ | 67.50 | $ | 0.12 | ||||||
2nd Quarter |
$ | 75.85 | $ | 65.28 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 74.38 | $ | 68.90 | $ | 0.12 | ||||||
3rd Quarter |
$ | 68.40 | $ | 61.38 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 73.10 | $ | 67.50 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||
4th Quarter |
$ | 66.46 | $ | 56.30 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 72.60 | $ | 67.14 | $ | 0.13 |
The payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the Companys future earnings, financial condition and requirements, and other factors considered relevant by the Board.
The number of record holders of Class A and Class B Common Stock at February 17, 2006 was 1,308 and 21, respectively. On September 25, 2005 the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of the Companys Class A common stock (see discussion in Item 7. Recent Events and Trends). The Company did not repurchase any of its common shares in fiscal 2005.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information regarding McClatchys equity compensation plans, including both shareholder approved plans and non-shareholder approved plans, is set forth in the section entitled Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans in the definitive Proxy Statement for the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated into Item 12 herein by reference.
10
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
December 29, 2002 |
December 30, 2001 |
||||||||||||||||
REVENUESNET: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 1,000,266 | $ | 972,808 | $ | 910,628 | $ | 877,838 | $ | 871,375 | ||||||||||
Circulation |
162,395 | 166,623 | 165,552 | 166,050 | 168,462 | |||||||||||||||
Other |
23,454 | 23,945 | 23,211 | 26,072 | 28,302 | |||||||||||||||
1,186,115 | 1,163,376 | 1,099,391 | 1,069,960 | 1,068,139 | ||||||||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
65,769 | 66,532 | 70,139 | 73,189 | 109,029 | |||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
850,345 | 827,535 | 780,311 | 752,966 | 787,092 | |||||||||||||||
916,114 | 894,067 | 850,450 | 826,155 | 896,121 | ||||||||||||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
270,001 | 269,309 | 248,941 | 243,805 | 172,018 | |||||||||||||||
NON-OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,705 | ) | (9,095 | ) | (18,090 | ) | (26,448 | ) | (44,045 | ) | ||||||||||
Refinancing related charge |
| (3,737 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||
Partnership income (loss) |
712 | 929 | 368 | (1,341 | ) | 527 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on Internet investment |
| | (1,008 | ) | (1,000 | ) | (10,556 | ) | ||||||||||||
Othernet |
219 | 155 | 448 | 652 | 937 | |||||||||||||||
(6,774 | ) | (11,748 | ) | (18,282 | ) | (28,137 | ) | (53,137 | ) | |||||||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION |
263,227 | 257,561 | 230,659 | 215,668 | 118,881 | |||||||||||||||
INCOME TAX PROVISION |
102,708 | 101,685 | 86,462 | 85,119 | 61,944 | |||||||||||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
160,519 | 155,876 | 144,197 | 130,549 | 56,937 | |||||||||||||||
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATION, NET OF INCOME TAXES |
| | 6,025 | 667 | 1,060 | |||||||||||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 160,519 | $ | 155,876 | $ | 150,222 | $ | 131,216 | $ | 57,997 | ||||||||||
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 3.44 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.13 | $ | 2.86 | $ | 1.26 | ||||||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
| | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||
Net income per share |
$ | 3.44 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.26 | $ | 2.87 | $ | 1.28 | ||||||||||
Diluted: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 3.42 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 3.10 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 1.25 | ||||||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
| | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||
Net income per share |
$ | 3.42 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 3.23 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 1.27 | ||||||||||
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 2,086,487 | $ | 2,049,400 | $ | 1,875,298 | $ | 1,981,561 | $ | 2,104,160 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt |
154,200 | 267,200 | 204,923 | 471,615 | 594,714 | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
1,565,591 | 1,423,004 | 1,216,017 | 1,057,329 | 998,165 |
On June 10, 2003, the Company sold the assets of The Newspaper Network, a national sales and marketing company. Prior year data has been reclassified for this discontinued operation.
In fiscal 2002 the Company adopted SFAS No. 142 and No. 144 and in accordance with these statements, eliminated the amortization of goodwill. This summary should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
11
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Overview
The Company owns and publishes 29 newspapers in the United States. The Companys newspapers range from large dailies serving metropolitan areas to non-daily newspapers serving small communities. The Company supplements its newspaper publishing with an array of niche products and direct marketing initiatives, including direct mail. The Company also operates leading local websites in each of its daily newspaper markets offering users information, comprehensive news, advertising, e-commerce and other services. The Company also owns and operates McClatchy Interactive, an interactive media operation that provides newspapers with content, publishing tools and software development.
The Companys primary source of revenue is advertising, which, in any given year, accounts for roughly 85% of the Companys revenue. While percentages vary from year to year, and from newspaper to newspaper, retail advertising carried as a part of newspapers (run-of-press or ROP advertising) or in advertising inserts placed in newspapers (preprint advertising), generally contributes roughly 40% of advertising revenues at the Companys newspapers. Recent trends have been for certain national or regional retailers to use greater preprint advertising and less ROP advertising, although that trend shifts from time to time. Nonetheless, ROP advertising still makes up the majority of retail advertising. Classified advertising (including online classified advertising), primarily in automotive, employment and real estate categories, generally contributes about 45% of advertising revenue and national advertising generally contributes about 10% of total advertising. Direct marketing and other advertising make up the remainder of the Companys advertising revenues. Circulation revenues contribute roughly 15% of the Companys newspaper revenues, depending upon the size and locale of the newspaper. Most newspapers are delivered by independent contractors. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs.
See the following Results of Operations for a discussion of the Companys revenue performance and contribution by categories for fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accompanying discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. The most significant areas involving estimates and assumptions are revenue recognition, allowance for uncollectible accounts, amortization and/or impairment of intangibles, pension and post-retirement expenses, insurance reserves, and the Companys income tax provision. We believe the following critical accounting policies, in particular, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue RecognitionAdvertising revenues are recorded when advertisements are placed in the newspaper and circulation revenues are recorded as newspapers are delivered over the subscription term. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs. Other revenue is recognized when the related product or service has been delivered. Revenues are recorded net of estimated incentive offerings including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. Revisions to these estimates are charged to income in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
12
Allowance for Uncollectible AccountsThe Company maintains an allowance account for estimated losses resulting from the risk its customers will not make required payments. Generally, the Company uses the aging of accounts receivable, reserving for all accounts due 90 days or longer, to establish allowances for losses on accounts receivable. However, if the Company becomes aware that the financial condition of a customer has deteriorated, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances are reserved. To illustrate the impact of a change to the allowance for uncollectible accounts, hypothetically, if the amount of receivables that are 90 days or longer had increased by 10%, the Companys allowance for estimated losses would have increased by $493,000 at the end of fiscal 2005.
Goodwill and Intangible ImpairmentIn assessing the recoverability of the Companys goodwill and other intangibles, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. The Company periodically analyzes its goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment. No impairment change was recorded in fiscal 2005, 2004 or 2003.
Pension and Post-retirement BenefitsThe Company has significant pension and post-retirement benefit costs and credits that are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions including salary rate increases, discount rates and expected return on plan assets. The Company is required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in establishing these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and post-retirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future because of changes resulting from fluctuations in the Companys employee headcount and/or changes in the various assumptions.
The Company used a discount rate of 6.0%, assumed salary rate increases of 3.5% to 5.0% and an assumed long-term return on assets of 8.5% to calculate its retirement expenses in fiscal 2005, based upon consultation with its outside actuaries. See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a more in-depth discussion of the Companys policies in setting its key assumptions related to these obligations. For fiscal 2005, a change in the weighted average rates would have had the following impact on our net benefit cost:
| A decrease of 50 basis points in the long-term rate of return would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $2.8 million; |
| A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $2.5 million; and |
| An increase of 50 basis points in the future compensation rate would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $2.6 million. |
The Company has revised certain assumptions for its 2006 pension expense calculation. Please see Recent Events and TrendsOperating Expenses discussion below.
Income Tax ProvisionThe Companys current and deferred tax income provisions are calculated based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted, if needed, throughout the year. Adjustments between the Companys estimates and the actual results of filed returns are recorded when identified, which is generally in the third quarter of the subsequent year for U.S. federal and state provisions.
The amount of income taxes paid is subject to audits by federal and state authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. The Companys estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is significantly affected by management judgments. Management believes that the Company has adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters based upon currently available information. However, future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to estimated tax liabilities when the assessments are made or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. Additionally, earnings or deductions estimated to be in each jurisdiction by the Company may differ from actual amounts. As a result of these potential adjustments, the Companys effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.
13
Self-InsuranceThe Company is self-insured for workers compensation in California and Alaska. The Company relies on claims experience and the advice of consulting actuaries and administrators in determining an adequate provision for self-insurance claims.
The Company used a discount rate of 6.0% to calculate workers compensation reserves as of December 25, 2005. A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate or a 10% increase in claims would have had an immaterial effect on total workers compensation reserves.
Recent Events and Trends
Stock Repurchase Program:
On September 25, 2005 the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of the Companys Class A common stock. The shares will be repurchased at the Companys discretion, either in the open market or in privately negotiated block transactions. The decision to buy back stock will depend on prevailing market prices, availability, and market conditions, among other things. Any purchases will occur from time to time and the Company has not set any time frame for completion of the program. It is anticipated that the repurchases will largely be funded using the Companys excess cash flows, and commercial paper program, as needed. No repurchases were made in fiscal 2005.
Recent Litigation:
A lawsuit filed against the Company on June 28, 2005 by four local employment agencies in Minneapolis alleged, in U.S. District Court of Minnesota, misstatements in the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) reported circulation volumes by the Star Tribune newspaper from 1999 through the present. On November 30, 2005 ABC released the results of its audit, confirming that no adjustments were required by the Star Tribune for any numbers previously reported to ABC. The Company entered into a settlement at the request of the plaintiffs which included reimbursement of certain of the plaintiffs legal fees for $17,000 and future advertising credits to the plaintiffs of up to $15,000, and the withdrawal of the plaintiffs from the suit. The suit was dismissed on January 6, 2006. The Company expended approximately $1.4 million legal costs and other expenses ($1.0 million in the third quarter of 2005) to investigate the allegations and to defend against the suit.
Advertising Revenues:
Classified revenues are the most cyclical of the companys advertising revenues, and in 2005 contributed 85.3% of the Companys total advertising revenue growth.
Over the last several years the individual categories within classified advertising have shown significant variability. A boom in automotive advertising from 2000 through 2004 caused the Companys automotive advertising to grow 19.4%, from $104.0 million in 2000 to $124.2 million in 2004. In 2005, automotive sales faltered, and automotive advertising at the dealership level dropped, causing the Companys auto classified advertising revenues to decline 10.4% to $111.3 million in fiscal 2005.
The decline in automotive advertising has been more than offset by an escalation in real estate advertising, and a continued rebound in employment advertising from depressed levels earlier in the decade, resulting in total classified advertising growth of 5.9% in fiscal 2005 over fiscal 2004.
Within classified advertising, online advertising is playing an increasingly important role at the Companys newspapers. In 2005, online classified advertising grew 41.2% or $14.4 million. While online classified advertising makes up 11.6% of total classified advertising revenue, it contributed 61.2% of the growth. The Company continues to pursue a strategy that offers a combination of print-only, print-and-online and online-only products in classified advertising, and believes that combined with its longstanding relationships with customers and value-added services; these products offer advantages that most competitors for classified advertising cannot match.
14
Operating Expenses:
The Company incurred two newsprint price increases in 2004 and three in 2005, resulting in an average increase of 10.3% in newsprint prices in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. An additional price increase has been announced for the first quarter of 2006; however, the ultimate amount and/or timing of any price increase is uncertain at this time. Newsprint pricing is largely dependent on global demand and supply for newsprint. A hypothetical $10 per metric ton change in newsprint prices affects earnings per share by three cents annually. The impact of newsprint price increases on the Companys expenses is discussed under Results of Operations below.
The Companys fringe benefit costs increased 7.6% over fiscal 2004 due primarily to higher retirement and medical costs. With regard to the Companys retirement expenses, the Company used a 6.0% discount rate to calculate its pension and post-retirement expenses in fiscal 2005 compared to a 6.25% rate used in fiscal 2004. The Company contributed $40.0 million to its pension plans in early fiscal 2005, and earnings on this contribution partially offset these increases. Nonetheless, total retirement expenses increased $5.4 million in fiscal 2005.
In 2006, for purposes of calculating retirement expenses, the Company has reduced its discount rate to 5.5%, which will result in higher pension expenses. The Company voluntarily contributed $40.0 million to its pension plans in early fiscal 2006 and earnings on the contribution are expected to help offset the impact of a lower discount rate.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payments (SFAS 123(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and purchases under the employee stock purchase plan, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Under SFAS 123(R), the Company must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the transition method to be used at date of adoption. The modified prospective application requires that compensation expense be recorded at the beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS 123(R) for all unvested stock options and restricted stock based upon the previously disclosed SFAS 123 methodology and amounts. The Company has adopted SFAS123(R) effective December 26, 2005, first day of the 2006 fiscal year, using the modified prospective application, and expects stock option expense to reduce earnings in fiscal 2006 by approximately 12 cents per share.
On July 14, 2005, FASB issued a Proposed Interpretation, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions, an interpretation of FASB No. 109. The release of the final interpretation is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. The proposed effective date is for the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. The proposed interpretation would require that a tax position meet a more likely than not threshold for the benefit of the uncertain tax position to be recognized in the financial statements, and assumes the uncertain tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. The proposed interpretation could also affect the classification of deferred tax liabilities versus income taxes payable, the classification of long-term liabilities and the accounting for a change in tax reserves in interim period reporting. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this proposed interpretation on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Correctionsa replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 generally requires retrospective application to prior periods financial statements of all voluntary changes in accounting principles and changes required when a new pronouncement does not specifically include transition provisions. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
15
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL 2005 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2004
The Company reported net income of $160.5 million or $3.42 per share for fiscal 2005, compared to $155.9 million or $3.33 per share in fiscal 2004.
Revenues in fiscal 2005 were $1.2 billion, up 2.0% from revenues in fiscal 2004. Advertising revenues were up 2.8% to $1.0 billion and circulation revenue was down 2.5% to $162.4 million.
The following table summarizes the Companys revenue for fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004.
Fiscal 2005 |
Fiscal 2004 |
% Change |
|||||||
Advertising Revenues: |
|||||||||
Retail |
$ | 419,105 | $ | 419,296 | 0.0 | % | |||
National |
99,620 | 100,647 | -1.0 | % | |||||
Classified: |
|||||||||
Automotive |
111,304 | 124,179 | -10.4 | % | |||||
Employment |
146,991 | 129,326 | 13.7 | % | |||||
Real estate |
123,631 | 104,503 | 18.3 | % | |||||
Other |
40,039 | 40,526 | -1.2 | % | |||||
Total classified |
421,965 | 398,534 | 5.9 | % | |||||
Direct marketing and other |
59,576 | 54,331 | 9.7 | % | |||||
Total advertising |
1,000,266 | 972,808 | 2.8 | % | |||||
Circulation |
162,395 | 166,623 | -2.5 | % | |||||
Other |
23,454 | 23,945 | -2.1 | % | |||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 1,186,115 | $ | 1,163,376 | 2.0 | % | |||
While the Company reviews and evaluates the operations of each individual newspaper, for purposes of organization and ease of understanding, the following table summarizes the fiscal 2005 revenues at its newspaper operations by region, with year-over-year changes (in thousands):
California |
Minnesota |
Carolinas |
Northwest |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
|||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 392,158 | 5.4 | % | $ | 308,476 | -0.3 | % | $ | 159,982 | 2.8 | % | $ | 139,650 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||
Circulation |
49,653 | -3.0 | % | 65,190 | -1.7 | % | 23,384 | -3.9 | % | 24,168 | -2.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Other |
5,561 | -6.8 | % | 4,969 | 15.5 | % | 5,466 | -12.1 | % | 6,285 | -3.4 | % | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 447,372 | 4.2 | % | $ | 378,635 | -0.4 | % | $ | 188,832 | 1.4 | % | $ | 170,103 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||
Retail advertising declined nominally in fiscal 2005, but includes a reclassification of ROP advertising to classified advertising in a zoned addition of The Fresno Bee that totaled $1.1 million. Excluding this reclassification, retail advertising was up 0.2% or $844,000 in fiscal 2005. Within reported retail advertising, preprint advertising grew 3.8% or $6.5 million, while full-run ROP advertising declined by 2.7% or $6.7 million. Preprint advertising grew at most newspapers, and was up in all regions. The most significant declines in retail ROP advertising were in the Companys California newspapers, which were down 5.3% or $4.9 million ($3.8 million or 4.1%, excluding the reclassification discussed above) and at the Star Tribune, where retail ROP was down 5.2% or $3.4 million.
16
National advertising declined $1.0 million or 1.0%. All regions showed declines in national advertising except for the California region. In general, declines totaling approximately $6.7 million were attributable to the airline/transportation, entertainment and communication categories. These declines were partially offset by gains in the food and drug, banking and automotive categories.
Classified advertising increased $23.4 million over fiscal 2004, but would have been up $22.4 million excluding The Fresno Bee reclassification discussed above. The increase reflects growth in employment and real estate advertising. Online classified advertising contributed $14.3 million of the growth in classified advertising, with $8.4 million in the online employment category. In total employment advertising increased $17.7 million and was up in all regions. Real estate advertising was up $19.1 million also with gains in all regions, but with much of the growth ($14.2 million) at the Companys California newspapers. Automotive advertising declined $12.9 million over fiscal year 2004 and was down in all regions.
Online advertising, which is included in the advertising categories discussed above, totaled $55.7 million for fiscal 2005, an increase of $15.4 million or 38.3% over fiscal 2004. This increase was primarily in online classified advertising as noted above.
Direct marketing revenue increased $5.0 million or 9.6% from fiscal 2004. All regions showed gains in this category except for the Star Tribune where direct marketing revenue declined $2.9 million or 19.8%. The Star Tribune reorganized its direct marketing operations and eliminated certain unprofitable products in mid 2004, causing direct marketing revenues to decline.
Consolidated circulation revenues declined $4.2 million from fiscal 2004, primarily reflecting lower circulation volumes. Average paid daily circulation declined 1.2% from fiscal 2004 and Sunday circulation was down 3.2% from fiscal 2004. Revenues were also reduced by increased compensation to carriers to offset higher gasoline costs and changes in the sales mix between single copy and home-delivered newspapers.
Operating Expenses:
Operating expenses increased 2.5% over fiscal 2004. Compensation costs were up 2.4% with salaries up 1.1% and fringe benefits up 7.6%. Merit increases ranged between 2.0% and 3.0%, but were partially offset by a 0.5% reduction in head count. The increases in fringe benefits primarily reflect higher medical and retirement costs. Newsprint and supplement expense was up 2.3% with newsprint expense up 3.3% and supplement costs down 3.3%.
Newsprint prices were up 10.3%, which were partially offset by a 6.3% reduction in consumption. Other operating costs were up 3.9% due in part to postage expense attributable to the expansion of direct mail programs, higher circulation promotional expense, and legal costs associated with the Star Tribune suit (see Recent Events and Trends, above). Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 1.1%, largely reflecting lower capital expenditures over the last several years and the expiration of useful lives of certain intangible assets.
Non-Operating (Expenses) IncomeNet:
Interest expense was $7.7 million for fiscal 2005, down 15.3% from fiscal 2004. The Company refinanced its bank debt and began a commercial paper program in mid 2004, and lower rates associated with this debt, as compared to the Companys previous bank debt facility and debt repayment, generally offset the impact of rising short-term interest rates for the fiscal year 2005.
The Company recorded $712,000 as its share of Ponderays income for fiscal 2005, compared to $929,000 in fiscal 2004.
17
Income Taxes:
The Companys effective tax rate was 39.0% for fiscal 2005, compared to 39.5% in fiscal 2004, due to a qualified production activities income deduction enacted in 2005 and successful resolutions of certain tax matters.
FISCAL 2004 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2003
The Company reported net income of $155.9 million or $3.33 per share for fiscal 2004, which included the non-cash charge of $2.25 million after-tax related to its debt refinancing ($0.05 per share). Earnings from continuing operations for fiscal 2003 were $144.2 million or $3.10 per share, and were $150.2 million or $3.23 per share including income from a discontinued operation.
Revenues:
In January 2004 the Company purchased the assets of the Merced Sun-Star, a daily newspaper in Merced, California and five non-daily newspapers (Merced Group). These newspapers contributed $13.8 million to total Company revenue in fiscal 2004. Revenues in fiscal 2004, including $13.8 million from the Merced Group, were $1.2 billion, up 5.8% from revenues in fiscal 2003. Advertising revenues were up 6.8% to $972.8 million and circulation revenue was up 0.6% to $166.6 million.
The following table summarizes the Companys revenue by category for fiscal 2004 compared to fiscal 2003. In order to allow an analysis of the categories on a comparable basis to fiscal 2003 operations, advertising revenues from the Merced Group are excluded from the advertising categories, and are discussed separately below. Management believes such an analysis is helpful to enable investors to understand the underlying advertising performance of the Companys historical business.
Fiscal 2004 |
Fiscal 2003 |
% Change |
|||||||
Advertising Revenues: |
|||||||||
Retail |
$ | 413,695 | $ | 403,399 | 2.6 | % | |||
National |
100,402 | 95,283 | 5.4 | % | |||||
Classified: |
|||||||||
Automotive |
123,785 | 124,020 | -0.2 | % | |||||
Employment |
128,274 | 108,616 | 18.1 | % | |||||
Real estate |
102,996 | 93,121 | 10.6 | % | |||||
Other |
38,946 | 38,157 | 2.1 | % | |||||
Total classified |
394,001 | 363,914 | 8.3 | % | |||||
Direct marketing and other |
52,443 | 48,032 | 9.2 | % | |||||
Total advertising excluding Merced |
960,541 | 910,628 | 5.5 | % | |||||
Merced total advertising |
12,267 | | NM | ||||||
Total advertising |
972,808 | 910,628 | 6.8 | % | |||||
Circulation |
166,623 | 165,552 | 0.6 | % | |||||
Other |
23,945 | 23,211 | 3.2 | % | |||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 1,163,376 | $ | 1,099,391 | 5.8 | % | |||
Online advertising revenue amounts in this schedule have been reclassified from other advertising revenue to the appropriate retail, national and classified advertising revenue categories to be consistent with the 2005 presentation.
NMNot meaningful
18
While the Company reviews and evaluates the operations of each individual newspaper, for purposes of organization and ease of understanding, the following table summarizes the fiscal 2004 revenues at its newspapers operations by region with year-over-year changes (in thousands):
California (1) |
Minnesota |
Carolinas |
Northwest |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
Revenues |
% Change |
|||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 372,232 | 10.0 | % | $ | 309,506 | 5.0 | % | $ | 155,616 | 6.0 | % | $ | 135,454 | 3.8 | % | ||||||||
Circulation |
51,210 | 1.7 | % | 66,294 | 0.2 | % | 24,328 | 0.8 | % | 24,791 | -0.4 | % | ||||||||||||
Other |
5,969 | 9.5 | % | 4,303 | 34.5 | % | 6,221 | 7.2 | % | 6,508 | -16.4 | % | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 429,411 | 8.9 | % | $ | 380,103 | 4.3 | % | $ | 186,165 | 5.4 | % | $ | 166,753 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
(1) | The California region includes the 2004 revenues of $13.8 million of the Merced Group. Excluding the Merced Group, advertising revenues in this region increased 6.4% and total revenues were up 5.4%. |
Retail advertising, excluding the Merced Group, grew $10.3 million over fiscal 2003 due to growth in preprinted advertising inserts placed into the newspapers, which was up $8.1 million or 5.1% and in ROP advertising, which increased $2.2 million or 0.9%. Much of the revenue increase was from the Star Tribune in Minneapolis ($4.6 million) and the Companys three daily Bee newspapers in California ($4.8 million).
National advertising, excluding the Merced Group, increased $5.1 million, primarily reflecting strong advertising from the airline, banking, entertainment and automotive categories, partially offset by a $1.5 million decline in telecommunications (primarily in the California region). The net increase in national revenues was spread among the California, Minnesota and Carolinas regions, while the Northwest newspapers reported a decline in national advertising.
Classified advertising, excluding the Merced Group, increased $30.1 million over fiscal 2003, mostly from employment and real estate advertising growth. Online classified advertising contributed $13.7 million of the growth in classified advertising with $9.9 million in the online employment category. Total combined employment advertising was up $19.7 million and was up in all regions, gaining momentum as the year progressed. Total combined real estate advertising increased $9.9 million and grew in all regions reflecting the national trend in this category. Automotive advertising revenues declined nominally over fiscal 2003, and generally declined throughout the industry in 2004.
Online advertising, which is included in the advertising categories discussed above, grew $13.2 million or 48.7% with strong growth in all regions.
Direct marketing revenues increased $4.5 million with gains in most regions, led by strong growth at the Companys three Bee newspapers. Direct mail revenues declined at the Star Tribune where certain unprofitable products were discontinued in 2004.
The Merced Group contributed $12.3 million in advertising revenues for fiscal 2004, including $5.6 million in retail advertising, $4.4 million in classified advertising and $1.8 million in direct mail advertising revenues.
Consolidated circulation revenues increased $1.1 million with much of the growth from the Merced Group. Excluding the Merced Group, circulation revenues were up $60,000.
Operating Expenses:
Operating expenses increased 5.1% and were up 3.7% excluding $11.8 million of expenses from the Merced Group. The following review of expense categories excludes the expenses of the Merced Group. Management believes such an analysis is helpful to enable investors to understand the underlying performance of the Companys historical business.
19
Newsprint and supplement expense was up 8.9% with newsprint prices up 9.5% and newsprint consumption down 1.0%. Supplement costs were up $2.2 million. Compensation costs were up 4.4%, primarily reflecting salary increases and higher fringe benefit costs. Salaries increased 3.2% reflecting merit increases, which were offset somewhat by a decline in head count. However, fringe benefit costs rose 9.7%, largely due to $7.5 million in additional retirement and medical costs. Other operating expenses increased 2.3% primarily due to increased postage costs associated with the Companys direct mail programs, while other costs were held in check through company-wide cost controls. Depreciation and amortization decreased $4.3 million, or 6.2%, largely reflecting lower capital expenditures over the last several years and the expiration of useful lives of certain intangible assets.
Non-Operating (Expenses) IncomeNet:
Interest expense was $9.1 million for fiscal 2004. This is a 49.7% decline from fiscal 2003, as the Company benefited from lower interest rates, the expiration of three interest rate swap agreements in June 2003 and one in June 2004, and debt repayment. The Company also recorded $3.7 million as a pre-tax charge to write off costs related to its previous debt agreement. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Company recorded $929,000 as its share of Ponderays income for fiscal 2004 compared to $368,000 in fiscal 2003, reflecting the positive impact of newsprint price increases on Ponderays results.
Income Taxes:
The Companys effective income tax rate was 39.5% for fiscal 2004 compared to 37.5% in fiscal 2003, when the Company realized a greater impact from the effect of the successful resolution of certain state tax positions it had taken in connection with past acquisitions.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:
The Companys cash and cash equivalents were $3.1 million at December 25, 2005, versus $4.9 million at the end of fiscal 2004. The Company generated $195.9 million of cash from operating activities in fiscal 2005 after the voluntary contribution of $40.0 million to its pension plans (discussed below). The largest investing uses of cash for fiscal 2005 were to purchase property, plant and equipment and to make an additional internet investment, while the financing uses were to repay debt and pay dividends. Proceeds from issuing Class A stock under employee stock plans totaled $10.9 million.
During fiscal 2005, the Company made voluntary contributions of $40.0 million to its defined benefit pension plans to maintain adequate funding of its pension obligations, and to help reduce pension expense with the earnings on the contributions. Given the increase in its pension obligations in 2005 resulting from pension expense and low interest rates, management considered the $40.0 million contribution to be prudent. Total voluntary contributions were $150.0 million over the last three years. In addition, the Company also made a voluntary contribution of $40.0 million to the plans in early 2006. The Company may be required to, or may voluntarily opt to, make additional contributions to its pension plans in future years.
The Company expended a total of $54.5 million in fiscal 2005 for capital projects and equipment to improve productivity, keep pace with new technology and maintain existing operations. Capital expenditures over the last three years have totaled $135.9 million and planned expenditures in fiscal 2006 are estimated to be approximately $62 million at existing facilities. The Company has purchase obligations through 2008 totaling $56.1 million primarily for capital expenditures.
On September 25, 2005 the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of the Companys Class A common stock. The shares will be repurchased at the Companys discretion, either in
20
the open market or in privately negotiated block transactions. The decision to buy back stock will depend on prevailing market prices, availability, and market conditions, among other things. Any purchases will occur from time to time and the Company has not set any time frame for completion of the program. It is anticipated that the repurchases will largely be funded using the Companys excess cash flows, and commercial paper program, as needed. No repurchases were made in fiscal 2005.
Debt and Related Matters:
The Company has a five-year, senior unsecured revolving credit facility (Credit Agreement), which provides borrowings of up to $500 million from a syndicate of banks through May 11, 2009. The primary purpose of the Credit Agreement is to support the issuance of unsecured promissory notes under a commercial paper program (commercial paper) of up to $500 million and for general corporate purposes.
Debt under the Credit Agreement bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 29.5 basis points to 77.5 basis points plus a utilization fee of 12.5 basis points if borrowings exceed $250 million. Applicable rates are based upon the Companys ratings on its long-term debt from Moodys and Standard & Poors. A facility fee for the revolving credit ranges from 8.0 basis points to 22.5 basis points depending on the Companys ratings, and such fees are currently at 12.5 basis points. No debt was outstanding under the Credit Agreement at December 25, 2005.
The revolving credit facility contains financial covenants including a minimum interest coverage ratio (as defined) of 3:1 and a maximum leverage ratio (as defined) of 4:1.
The Companys commercial paper outstanding at December 25, 2005 had maturities ranging from 2 days to 39 days, with interest rates ranging from 4.17% to 4.42%. The weighted average interest rate on commercial paper outstanding for fiscal 2005 was 3.34%. Because the Companys Credit Agreement provides backup for its commercial paper, and in accordance with the Companys ability and intent to use it for its long-term funding needs, the commercial paper is classified as long-term debt.
The Company intends to use the $500 million of borrowing capacity under the commercial paper program and its back-up Credit Agreement, along with its operating cash flow, to meet its short and long-term liquidity needs. The amount of outstanding commercial paper will fluctuate at any given point in time depending on the current liquidity needs of the Company and cash generated from operations. The Company considers these fluctuations in its outstanding borrowings to be in the normal course of business and to be not material to its financial position, given its borrowing capacity of $500 million under the commercial paper program as supported by the Credit Agreement. The Company may use its commercial paper program and/or revolving credit facility for strategic investments or acquisitions in the future.
The Company currently has outstanding letters of credit totaling $7.5 million securing estimated obligations stemming from workers compensation claims and other contingent claims. The Company had $338.3 million of available credit under its current Credit Agreement at December 25, 2005.
The Company does not have, nor does it intend to enter into, derivative contracts for trading purposes. The Company has not attempted to hedge fluctuations in the normal purchases of goods and services used to conduct its business operations. Currently there is no intent to hedge or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint, ink, and other inventories, leases of equipment and facilities, or business insurance contracts.
21
Contractual Obligations:
The following table summarizes specific financial obligations under the Companys contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 25, 2005 (in thousands):
Payments Due By | |||||||||||||||
Total |
1 Year or Less |
1-3 Years |
3-5 Years |
After 5 Years | |||||||||||
Included in the Companys balance sheet: |
|||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (a) |
$ | 154,200 | $ | 154,200 | |||||||||||
Pension obligations (b) |
25,697 | $ | 1,479 | $ | 2,957 | 2,957 | $ | 18,304 | |||||||
Post-retirement obligations |
16,854 | 2,418 | 4,836 | 4,836 | 4,764 | ||||||||||
Other long-term obligations (c) |
16,391 | 6,491 | 9,356 | 36 | 508 | ||||||||||
Other obligations: |
|||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations (d) |
56,073 | 43,942 | 12,131 | ||||||||||||
Operating leases |
18,030 | 6,045 | 7,564 | 3,166 | 1,255 | ||||||||||
Stand by letters of credit (e) |
7,520 | 1,000 | 6,520 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 294,765 | $ | 61,375 | $ | 36,844 | $ | 171,715 | $ | 24,831 | |||||
The Company has no material capital lease obligations.
(a) | Excludes $40.0 million borrowed on December 27, 2005 (fiscal 2006) to fund a voluntary pension |
contribution.
(b) | Non-qualified pension plans. |
(c) | Primarily deferred compensation and workers compensation obligations. |
(d) | Primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. |
(e) | In connection with the Companys insurance program, letters of credit are required to support certain projected claims and obligations. |
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
A hypothetical 25 basis point change in LIBOR for a fiscal year would increase or decrease in the Companys interest expense by $200,000 to $400,000.
See the discussion at Recent Events and TrendsOperating Expenses for the impact of market changes on the Companys newsprint and pension costs.
22
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Page | ||
24 | ||
26 | ||
27 | ||
28 | ||
29 | ||
30 |
All other schedules are omitted as not applicable under the rules of Regulation S-X.
23
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The McClatchy Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The McClatchy Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2005. We also have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2005 based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Companys management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements, an opinion on managements assessment, and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the companys board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 25, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion,
24
managements assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Sacramento, California
February 23, 2006
25
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(In thousands, except for share amounts)
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||
REVENUESNET: |
||||||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 1,000,266 | $ | 972,808 | $ | 910,628 | ||||||
Circulation |
162,395 | 166,623 | 165,552 | |||||||||
Other |
23,454 | 23,945 | 23,211 | |||||||||
1,186,115 | 1,163,376 | 1,099,391 | ||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||
Compensation |
482,509 | 471,289 | 445,901 | |||||||||
Newsprint and supplements |
154,672 | 151,134 | 137,384 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
65,769 | 66,532 | 70,139 | |||||||||
Other operating expenses |
213,164 | 205,112 | 197,026 | |||||||||
916,114 | 894,067 | 850,450 | ||||||||||
OPERATING INCOME |
270,001 | 269,309 | 248,941 | |||||||||
NON-OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME: |
||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,705 | ) | (9,095 | ) | (18,090 | ) | ||||||
Refinancing related charge |
| (3,737 | ) | | ||||||||
Partnership income |
712 | 929 | 368 | |||||||||
Loss on Internet investment |
| | (1,008 | ) | ||||||||
Othernet |
219 | 155 | 448 | |||||||||
(6,774 | ) | (11,748 | ) | (18,282 | ) | |||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION |
263,227 | 257,561 | 230,659 | |||||||||
INCOME TAX PROVISION |
102,708 | 101,685 | 86,462 | |||||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
160,519 | 155,876 | 144,197 | |||||||||
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATION, NET OF INCOME TAXES |
| | 6,025 | |||||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 160,519 | $ | 155,876 | $ | 150,222 | ||||||
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE: |
||||||||||||
Basic: |
||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 3.44 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.13 | ||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
| | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||
Net income per share |
$ | 3.44 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.26 | ||||||
Diluted: |
||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 3.42 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 3.10 | ||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
| | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||
Net income per share |
$ | 3.42 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 3.23 | ||||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES: |
||||||||||||
Basic |
46,606 | 46,382 | 46,127 | |||||||||
Diluted |
46,996 | 46,815 | 46,456 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
26
(In thousands, except share amounts)
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 3,052 | $ | 4,857 | ||||
Trade receivables (less allowance of $3,032 in 2005 and $2,769 in 2004) |
146,451 | 138,467 | ||||||
Other receivables |
4,587 | 3,735 | ||||||
Newsprint, ink and other inventories |
20,371 | 17,032 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
18,358 | 18,661 | ||||||
Prepaid income taxes |
10,520 | 7,265 | ||||||
Other current assets |
9,557 | 13,746 | ||||||
212,896 | 203,763 | |||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: |
||||||||
Building and improvements |
238,208 | 237,304 | ||||||
Equipment |
548,580 | 520,122 | ||||||
786,788 | 757,426 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(493,889 | ) | (469,059 | ) | ||||
292,899 | 288,367 | |||||||
Land |
53,525 | 53,630 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
31,120 | 25,236 | ||||||
377,544 | 367,233 | |||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS: |
||||||||
Identifiable intangibles-net |
44,240 | 62,712 | ||||||
Goodwill-net |
1,249,053 | 1,249,053 | ||||||
1,293,293 | 1,311,765 | |||||||
PREPAID PENSION ASSETS |
174,845 | 149,483 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS |
27,909 | 17,156 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 2,086,487 | $ | 2,049,400 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 43,067 | $ | 31,486 | ||||
Accrued compensation |
62,235 | 65,031 | ||||||
Income taxes |
62 | | ||||||
Unearned revenue |
43,802 | 43,344 | ||||||
Carrier deposits |
1,394 | 1,530 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
14,999 | 15,499 | ||||||
165,559 | 156,890 | |||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
154,200 | 267,200 | ||||||
OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS |
48,554 | 48,725 | ||||||
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES |
152,583 | 153,581 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6) |
||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY: |
||||||||
Common stock $.01 par value: |
||||||||
Class Aauthorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 20,526,126 in 2005 and 20,200,107 in 2004 |
205 | 202 | ||||||
Class Bauthorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 26,224,147 in 2005 and 26,264,147 in 2004 |
262 | 263 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
350,825 | 335,489 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
1,217,927 | 1,088,679 | ||||||
Deferred stock compensation |
(1,799 | ) | | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(1,829 | ) | (1,629 | ) | ||||
1,565,591 | 1,423,004 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 2,086,487 | $ | 2,049,400 | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
27
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 160,519 | $ | 155,876 | $ | 144,197 | ||||||
Reconciliation to net cash provided: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
65,769 | 66,532 | 70,139 | |||||||||
Contribution to pension plans |
(40,000 | ) | (60,000 | ) | (50,000 | ) | ||||||
Pension and postretirement expense |
19,859 | 14,429 | 9,412 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(561 | ) | 11,331 | 18,313 | ||||||||
Partnership (income) losses |
(712 | ) | (929 | ) | (368 | ) | ||||||
Refinancing related charge |
| 3,737 | | |||||||||
Other |
3,316 | 3,410 | 7,685 | |||||||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Trade receivables |
(7,984 | ) | (7,492 | ) | (4,029 | ) | ||||||
Inventories |
(3,339 | ) | (1,354 | ) | (907 | ) | ||||||
Other assets |
(3,958 | ) | 2,000 | (11,316 | ) | |||||||
Accounts payable |
11,581 | (1,148 | ) | 5,557 | ||||||||
Accrued compensation |
(2,796 | ) | 4,198 | (944 | ) | |||||||
Income taxes |
62 | | (4,051 | ) | ||||||||
Other liabilities |
(8,222 | ) | (5,600 | ) | (308 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by continuing operations |
193,534 | 184,990 | 183,380 | |||||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
| | 6,025 | |||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities of discontinued operation |
| | (8,893 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used by discontinued operation |
| | (2,868 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
193,534 | 184,990 | 180,512 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(54,515 | ) | (47,206 | ) | (34,149 | ) | ||||||
Internet investment |
(10,400 | ) | | | ||||||||
Purchase of Merced Group |
| (40,984 | ) | | ||||||||
Othernet |
614 | 580 | 500 | |||||||||
Net cash used by continuing activities |
(64,301 | ) | (87,610 | ) | (33,649 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation |
| | 9,785 | |||||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(64,301 | ) | (87,610 | ) | (23,864 | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Net (repayments) proceeds of commercial paper |
(113,000 | ) | 267,200 | | ||||||||
Repayment of debt |
| (347,000 | ) | (149,000 | ) | |||||||
Payment of financing costs |
| (2,045 | ) | | ||||||||
Payment of cash dividends |
(28,899 | ) | (22,253 | ) | (19,818 | ) | ||||||
Otherprincipally stock issuances |
10,861 | 8,191 | 10,197 | |||||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(131,038 | ) | (95,907 | ) | (158,621 | ) | ||||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(1,805 | ) | 1,473 | (1,973 | ) | |||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR |
4,857 | 3,384 | 5,357 | |||||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR |
$ | 3,052 | $ | 4,857 | $ | 3,384 | ||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
28
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Par Value Class A |
Par Value Class B |
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Deferred Compensation |
Accumulated other Comprehensive Losses |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES, DECEMBER 29, 2002 |
$ | 195 | $ | 266 | $ | 313,320 | $ | 826,086 | $ | (82,538 | ) | $ | 1,057,329 | |||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
144,197 | 144,197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operation |
6,025 | 6,025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of swaps |
3,132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
13,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
108 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
16,490 | 16,490 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
166,712 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($.44 per share) |
(20,305 | ) | (20,305 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of 160,000 Class B shares to Class A |
2 | (2 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 264,704 Class A shares under stock plans |
2 | 10,195 | 10,197 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit from stock plans |
2,084 | 2,084 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES, DECEMBER 28, 2003 |
199 | 264 | 325,599 | 956,003 | (66,048 | ) | 1,216,017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
155,876 | 155,876 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of swaps |
782 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
63,677 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(40 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
64,419 | 64,419 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
220,295 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($.50 per share) |
(23,200 | ) | (23,200 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of 120,000 Class B shares to Class A |
1 | (1 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 184,096 Class A shares under stock plans |
2 | 8,228 | 8,230 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit from stock plans |
1,662 | 1,662 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES, DECEMBER 26, 2004 |
202 | 263 | 335,489 | 1,088,679 | (1,629 | ) | 1,423,004 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
160,519 | 160,519 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
(200 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
(200 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
160,319 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($.67 per share) |
(31,271 | ) | (31,271 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of 40,000 Class B shares to Class A |
1 | (1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 246,019 Class A shares under stock plans |
2 | 10,859 | 10,861 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of 40,000 restricted Class A shares under stock plan |
2,335 | $ | (2,335 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
536 | 536 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit from stock plans |
2,142 | 2,142 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES, DECEMBER 25, 2005 |
$ | 205 | $ | 262 | $ | 350,825 | $ | 1,217,927 | $ | (1,799 | ) | $ | (1,829 | ) | $ | 1,565,591 | ||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
29
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The McClatchy Company (the Company) and its subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the publication of newspapers located in Minnesota, California, the Northwest (Washington and Alaska) and the Carolinas.
The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany items and transactions are eliminated. In preparing the financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
AcquisitionOn January 7, 2004, the Company purchased the assets of the Merced Sun-Star, a daily newspaper in Merced, California and five non-daily newspapers (Merced Group) for $41.0 million in cash. The purchase included $37.2 million in intangible assets, the most significant of which was $31.0 million of goodwill. Amortization of the goodwill and other identifiable intangibles will be deductible for tax purposes. The useful lives associated with the $6.2 million of identifiable intangible assets range from eight to 17 years. See the discussion of intangibles and goodwill below. The acquisition and results of the Merced Group are included in the Companys financial statements beginning on January 7, 2004. The results of the acquisition on the Companys pro forma combined results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003, or any interim period in the 2003 fiscal year (assuming the acquisition was made at the beginning of fiscal year 2003), were not material.
Discontinued operationOn June 10, 2003, the Company sold the assets of The Newspaper Network (TNN), a national sales and marketing company. The operating results of TNN included in discontinued operations in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Income in fiscal 2003 are primarily comprised of gain on disposal, $10.2 million, less income tax provision of $4.1 million.
Revenue recognitionAdvertising revenues are recorded when advertisements are placed in the newspaper and circulation revenues are recorded as newspapers are delivered over the subscription term. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs. Other revenue is recognized when the related product or service has been delivered. Revenues are recorded net of estimated incentive offerings including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. Revisions to these estimates are charged to income in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
Cash equivalents are highly liquid debt investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired.
Concentrations of credit risksFinancial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risks are principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivables. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with major financial institutions. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of significant customers and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographic diversity of its customers, limits the Companys concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.
The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||
Balance at beginning of year |
$ | 2,769 | $ | 3,084 | $ | 4,872 | ||||||
Charged to costs and expenses |
6,931 | 6,211 | 6,737 | |||||||||
Amounts written off |
(6,668 | ) | (6,526 | ) | (8,525 | ) | ||||||
Balance at end of year |
$ | 3,032 | $ | 2,769 | $ | 3,084 | ||||||
30
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (based principally on the first-in, first-out method) or current market value.
Related party transactionsThe Company owns a 13.5% interest in Ponderay Newsprint Company (Ponderay), a general partnership, which owns and operates a newsprint mill in the State of Washington. The investment is accounted for using the equity method, under which the Companys share of earnings of Ponderay is reflected in income as earned. The Companys investment in Ponderay totaled $11.0 million and $10.3 million at the end of fiscal year 2005 and 2004 respectively. These amounts are included in Other Assets on the Companys consolidated balance sheet. The Company is required to purchase 28,400 metric tons of annual production on a take-if-tendered basis at prevailing market prices until the debt is repaid. The Company satisfies this obligation by direct purchase (payments made in 2005: $16,765,000, 2004: $15,378,000 and 2003: $14,381,000) or reallocation to other buyers.
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Major improvements, as well as interest incurred during construction, are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is computed generally on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of:
| 10 to 60 years for buildings |
| 9 to 25 years for presses |
| 3 to 15 years for other equipment |
Intangibles and goodwill consist of the unamortized excess of the cost of acquiring newspaper operations over the fair values of the newspapers tangible assets at the date of purchase. Identifiable intangible assets, consisting primarily of lists of advertisers and subscribers, covenants not to compete and commercial printing contracts, are amortized over three to forty years. Management annually, or more frequent if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an intangible asset might be impaired, evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets by reviewing the current and projected cash flows of each of its newspaper operations. Based upon these reviews, no impairments of intangible assets have been incurred in fiscal 2003 through 2005.
Information regarding the Companys identifiable assets as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):
December 25, 2005 | |||||||||||
Average Useful Life |
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net | ||||||||
Advertiser and subscriber lists |
16 Years | $ | 256,150 | $ | 217,009 | $ | 39,141 | ||||
Other |
4 Years | 15,886 | 10,787 | 5,099 | |||||||
Identifiable intangible assets |
$ | 272,036 | $ | 227,796 | $ | 44,240 | |||||
December 26, 2004 | |||||||||||
Average Useful Life |
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net | ||||||||
Advertiser and subscriber lists |
16 Years | $ | 256,150 | $ | 199,307 | $ | 56,843 | ||||
Other |
4 Years | 15,886 | 10,017 | 5,869 | |||||||
Identifiable intangible assets |
$ | 272,036 | $ | 209,324 | $ | 62,712 | |||||
31
Amortization expense was $17,908,000, $18,273,000 and $19,508,000 in fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Estimated amortization expenses related to intangible assets existing as of December 25, 2005 for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):
Year |
Estimated Amortization Expense | ||
2006 |
$ | 7,601 | |
2007 |
3,753 | ||
2008 |
3,743 | ||
2009 |
3,713 | ||
2010 |
3,035 |
Fair value of financial instruments approximates the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt.
Stock-based compensationAt December 25, 2005, the Company had six stock-based compensation plans. The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.
The Company issued 40,000 shares of restricted Class A stock in January 2005 to its Chief Executive Officer. The shares vest at the end of four years and are subject to the attainment of defined performance criteria. At this time, the Company expects such performance criteria to be met, and is expensing the related compensation over the four-year period.
Had compensation costs for the Companys stock-based compensation plans been determined based upon the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of SFAS Statement No. 123, the Companys net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||
Net income: |
||||||||||||
As reported |
$ | 160,519 | $ | 155,876 | $ | 150,222 | ||||||
Add stock-based compensation included in net income, net of taxes |
327 | | | |||||||||
Deduct stock-based compensation under SFAS No. 123, net of taxes |
(4,840 | ) | (4,650 | ) | (4,705 | ) | ||||||
Pro forma |
$ | 156,006 | $ | 151,226 | $ | 145,517 | ||||||
Earnings per common share: |
||||||||||||
As reported |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 3.44 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.26 | ||||||
Diluted |
$ | 3.42 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 3.23 | ||||||
Pro forma |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 3.35 | $ | 3.26 | $ | 3.15 | ||||||
Diluted |
$ | 3.32 | $ | 3.23 | $ | 3.13 |
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payments (SFAS 123(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and purchases under the employee stock purchase plan, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Under SFAS 123(R), the Company must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the transition method to be used at date of adoption. The modified prospective application requires that compensation expense be recorded at the beginning
32
of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS 123(R) for all unvested stock options and restricted stock based upon the previously disclosed SFAS 123 methodology and amounts. The Company adopted FAS123 (R) effective December 26, 2005, the first day of the 2006 fiscal year, using the modified prospective application, and expects stock option expense to reduce earnings in fiscal 2006 by approximately 12 cents per share.
Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities reported for financial and income tax reporting purposes. See Note 3.
Comprehensive income (loss)The Company records changes in its net assets from non-owner sources in its Statement of Stockholders Equity. Such changes relate primarily to valuing its pension liabilities and interest rate protection agreements, net of tax effects.
The following table summarizes the changes in other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
Pre-Tax |
Tax |
After Tax |
||||||||||
Year Ended December 25, 2005 |
||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
$ | (334 | ) | $ | 134 | $ | (200 | ) | ||||
$ | (334 | ) | $ | 134 | $ | (200 | ) | |||||
Year Ended December 26, 2004 |
||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
$ | 106,128 | $ | (42,451 | ) | $ | 63,677 | |||||
Fair value of swaps |
1,303 | (521 | ) | 782 | ||||||||
Other |
(67 | ) | 27 | (40 | ) | |||||||
$ | 107,364 | $ | (42,945 | ) | $ | 64,419 | ||||||
Year Ended December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
$ | 22,083 | $ | (8,833 | ) | $ | 13,250 | |||||
Fair value of swaps |
5,220 | (2,088 | ) | 3,132 | ||||||||
Other |
180 | (72 | ) | 108 | ||||||||
$ | 27,483 | $ | (10,993 | ) | $ | 16,490 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 relate to minimum pension liabilities.
Segment reportingThe Companys primary business is the publication of newspapers. The Company aggregates its newspapers into a single reportable segment because each has similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods.
Earnings per share (EPS)Basic EPS excludes dilution from common stock equivalents and reflects income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents in the period. Common stock equivalents arise from dilutive stock options and are computed using the treasury stock method. The antidilutive stock options that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the weighted average share calculation were 531,698 in 2005, 16,786 in 2004 and 85,554 in 2003.
NOTE 2. | LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS |
Debt and Related Matters:
On December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, the Companys debt consisted of unsecured promissory notes (commercial paper) of $154,200,000 and $267,200,000, respectively. On May 10, 2004 the Company entered into a five-year, senior unsecured revolving credit facility (Credit Agreement), which provides borrowings of up to $500 million from a syndicate of banks through May 11, 2009. The primary purpose of the Credit Agreement is to support the issuance of unsecured promissory notes under a commercial paper program of up to $500 million and for general corporate purposes.
33
Debt under the Credit Agreement bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 29.5 basis points to 77.5 basis points plus a utilization fee of 12.5 basis points if borrowings exceed $250 million. Applicable rates are based upon the Companys ratings on its long-term debt from Moodys and Standard & Poors. A facility fee for the revolving credit ranges from 8.0 basis points to 22.5 basis points depending on the Companys ratings, and such fees are currently at 12.5 basis points. No debt was outstanding under the Credit Agreement at December 25, 2005.
The revolving credit facility contains financial covenants including a minimum interest coverage ratio (as defined) of 3:1 and a maximum leverage ratio (as defined) of 4:1.
The Companys commercial paper outstanding at December 25, 2005 had maturities ranging from 2 days to 39 days, with interest rates ranging from 4.17% to 4.42%. The weighted average interest rate on commercial paper outstanding for fiscal 2005 was 3.34%. Because the Companys Credit Agreement provides backup for its commercial paper, and in accordance with the Companys ability and intent to use it for its long-term funding needs, the commercial paper is classified as long-term debt.
The Company intends to use the $500 million of borrowing capacity under the commercial paper program and its back-up Credit Agreement, along with its operating cash flow, to meet its short and long-term liquidity needs. The amount of outstanding commercial paper will fluctuate at any given point in time depending on the current liquidity needs of the Company and cash generated from operations. The Company considers these fluctuations in its outstanding borrowings to be in the normal course of business and to be not material to its financial position, given its borrowing capacity of $500 million under the commercial paper program as supported by the Credit Agreement. The Company may use its commercial paper program and/or revolving credit facility for strategic investments or acquisitions in the future.
The Company currently has outstanding letters of credit totaling $7.5 million securing estimated obligations stemming from workers compensation claims and other contingent claims. The Company had $338.3 million of available credit under its current Credit Agreement at December 25, 2005.
The Company does not have, nor does it intend to enter into, derivative contracts for trading purposes. The Company has not attempted to hedge fluctuations in the normal purchases of goods and services used to conduct its business operations. Currently there is no intent to hedge or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint, ink, and other inventories, leases of equipment and facilities, or business insurance contracts.
Other long-term obligations consist of (in thousands):
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 | |||||
Pension obligations |
$ | 24,218 | $ | 22,373 | ||
Post retirement benefits obligation |
14,436 | 15,140 | ||||
Deferred compensation and other |
9,900 | 11,212 | ||||
Other long-term obligations |
$ | 48,554 | $ | 48,725 | ||
See Note 4 for further discussion of the Companys pension and post-retirement obligations.
34
NOTE 3. | INCOME TAXES |
Income tax provisions related to continuing operations consist of (in thousands):
Year Ended | ||||||||||
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 | ||||||||
Current: |
||||||||||
Federal |
$ | 85,383 | $ | 77,504 | $ | 59,563 | ||||
State |
17,886 | 12,849 | 8,585 | |||||||
Deferred: |
||||||||||
Federal |
(1,500 | ) | 8,695 | 13,988 | ||||||
State |
939 | 2,637 | 4,326 | |||||||
Income tax provision |
$ | 102,708 | $ | 101,685 | $ | 86,462 | ||||
The effective tax rate and the statutory federal income tax rate are reconciled as follows:
Year Ended |
|||||||||
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
|||||||
Statutory rate |
35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | |||
State taxes, net of federal benefit |
4.2 | % | 4.2 | % | 2.2 | % | |||
Amortization of intangibles |
.1 | % | 0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | |||
Other |
(.3 | %) | 0.2 | % | 0.2 | % | |||
Effective tax rate |
39.0 | % | 39.5 | % | 37.5 | % | |||
The components of deferred tax liabilities (benefits) recorded in the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheet on December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 are (in thousands):
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 64,072 | $ | 73,501 | ||||
Partnership losses |
2,939 | 3,416 | ||||||
State taxes |
19,263 | 18,816 | ||||||
Pension and post-retirement |
61,285 | 52,977 | ||||||
Deferred compensation |
(12,292 | ) | (12,849 | ) | ||||
Other |
(1,042 | ) | (941 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liability (net of $18,358 in 2005 and $18,661 in 2004 reported as current assets) |
$ | 134,225 | $ | 134,920 | ||||
NOTE 4. | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS |
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans (retirement plans), which cover a majority of its employees. Benefits are based on years of service and compensation. Contributions to the plans are made by the Company in amounts deemed necessary to provide the required benefits. The Company made $40.0 million in voluntary contributions to its plans in fiscal 2005 and made an additional contribution of $40.0 million in early fiscal 2006. No other contributions to those plans are currently contemplated for fiscal 2006.
The Company also has a limited number of supplemental retirement plans to provide key employees with additional retirement benefits. The terms of the plans are generally the same as those of the retirement plans, except that the supplemental retirement plans are limited to key employees and benefits under them are reduced by benefits received under the retirement plans. These plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the accrued pension obligation is largely included in other long-term obligations.
35
The elements of pension costs are as follows (in thousands):
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||
Service Cost |
$ | 20,636 | $ | 19,418 | $ | 16,275 | ||||||
Interest Cost |
35,419 | 32,616 | 30,214 | |||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(48,065 | ) | (47,367 | ) | (41,934 | ) | ||||||
Prior service cost amortization |
499 | 670 | 632 | |||||||||
Actuarial loss |
9,224 | 5,955 | 747 | |||||||||
Net pension expense |
$ | 17,713 | $ | 11,292 | $ | 5,934 | ||||||
The Company contributed $2,023,000 in 2005, $1,990,000 in 2004 and $2,024,000 in 2003 to multi-employer retirement plans.
The Company also provides or subsidizes certain life insurance benefits for employees of McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. and provides certain life insurance and retiree health care benefits for The Star Tribune Companys employees. The elements of post-retirement expenses are as follows (in thousands):
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 |
||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 1,170 | $ | 1,151 | $ | 1,227 | ||||||
Interest cost |
1,223 | 1,485 | 1,611 | |||||||||
Prior service cost amortization |
(640 | ) | (113 | ) | (113 | ) | ||||||
Actuarial loss |
393 | 614 | 753 | |||||||||
Net post-retirement benefit expense |
$ | 2,146 | $ | 3,137 | $ | 3,478 | ||||||
Expected benefit payments to retirees under the Companys retirement and post-retirement plans over the next ten years are summarized below (in thousands):
Retirement Plans |
Post-retirement Plans | |||||
2006 |
$ | 22,851 | $ | 2,568 | ||
2007 |
24,184 | 2,565 | ||||
2008 |
25,768 | 2,707 | ||||
2009 |
27,517 | 2,648 | ||||
2010 |
29,572 | 2,694 | ||||
2011-2015 |
192,465 | 15,672 | ||||
Total |
$ | 322,357 | $ | 28,854 | ||
36
A reconciliation of the plans benefit obligations, fair value of assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):
Retirement Plans |
Post-retirement Plans |
|||||||||||||||
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||||
Change in projected benefit obligations: |
||||||||||||||||
Beginning of year |
$ | 583,154 | $ | 527,965 | $ | 26,707 | $ | 26,156 | ||||||||
Service cost |
20,636 | 19,418 | 1,170 | 1,152 | ||||||||||||
Interest costs |
35,419 | 32,616 | 1,223 | 1,485 | ||||||||||||
Actuarial loss |
59,217 | 24,918 | (5,429 | ) | 48 | |||||||||||
Benefits paid |
(22,696 | ) | (21,763 | ) | (2,562 | ) | (2,134 | ) | ||||||||
End of year |
675,730 | 583,154 | 21,109 | 26,707 | ||||||||||||
Change in fair market value of assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Beginning of year |
526,644 | 431,304 | | | ||||||||||||
Return on assets |
48,770 | 55,754 | | | ||||||||||||
Contributions |
41,391 | 61,348 | 2,562 | 2,134 | ||||||||||||
Benefit payments |
(22,696 | ) | (21,763 | ) | (2,562 | ) | (2,134 | ) | ||||||||
End of year |
594,109 | 526,643 | | | ||||||||||||
Funded status |
(81,621 | ) | (56,511 | ) | (21,109 | ) | (26,707 | ) | ||||||||
Unrecognized net loss |
230,519 | 181,334 | 7,097 | 9,756 | ||||||||||||
Prior service costs |
4,063 | 4,459 | (2,842 | ) | (319 | ) | ||||||||||
Prepaid (accrued) cost |
$ | 152,961 | $ | 129,282 | $ | (16,854 | ) | $ | (17,270 | ) | ||||||
Amounts recognized: |
||||||||||||||||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ | 174,845 | $ | 149,483 | | | ||||||||||
Accrued benefit liability |
(21,885 | ) | (20,201 | ) | $ | (16,854 | ) | $ | (17,270 | ) | ||||||
Additional liability |
(3,433 | ) | (3,155 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Intangible asset |
385 | 440 | | | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
3,049 | 2,715 | | | ||||||||||||
Net amount recognized |
$ | 152,961 | $ | 129,282 | $ | (16,854 | ) | $ | (17,270 | ) | ||||||
The assets of the plans are commingled in a Master Trust and, as of December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, the measurement dates for the plans, assets and related target allocations are as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 |
Target Allocation |
|||||||
Equity securities |
$ | 420,704 | $ | 366,034 | 69 | % | |||
Debt securities |
153,085 | 140,673 | 28 | % | |||||
Real estate securities |
18,336 | 19,689 | 3 | % | |||||
Cash equivalents |
1,983 | 248 | | ||||||
Plan assets |
$ | 594,108 | $ | 526,644 | 100 | % | |||
The Company has undertaken a review of the allocation of the plans assets, and, among other changes, anticipates reducing the target allocation to equities by approximately seven percentage points. These assets will likely be re-deployed among commodity funds and additional real estate securities in 2006.
The Companys investment policies are designed to maximize plans returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, with an investment horizon of greater than ten years so that interim investment returns and fluctuations are viewed with appropriate perspective. The policy also aims to maintain sufficient liquid returns to provide for the payment of retirement benefits and plan expenses, hence, small portions of the equity and debt investments are held in marketable mutual funds.
37
The Companys policy seeks to provide an appropriate level of diversification of assets, as reflected in its target allocations, as well as limits placed on concentrations of equities in specific sectors or industries. It uses a mix of active managers and passive index funds. The Companys expected return on long-term assets was determined through consultation with the Companys actuaries and investment consultants by using projected returns for each asset class, factoring in both passive and active management of funds where appropriate, and developing a weighted average return based upon its target asset allocations as discussed above. This return was also compared to 30 and 50-year market returns and the plans actual ten-year returns to gain additional assurance of reasonableness.
The Companys discount rate was determined by a review of long-term, non-callable, high quality bonds, the Moodys Aa Corporate Bond Index, and consultation with the Companys actuaries.
Weighted average assumptions used for valuing benefit obligations were:
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
Retirement and Post-retirement Plans: |
||||||
Discount rate in determining benefit obligation |
5.5 | % | 6.0 | % | ||
Retirement Plans: |
||||||
Rates of salary increase |
3.6 | % | 3.6 | % |
Weighted average assumptions for pension and post-retirement expense were:
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
Discount rate |
6.0 | % | 6.25 | % | 6.75 | % | |||
Expected long-term return on assets |
8.5 | % | 9.0 | % | 9.0 | % | |||
Rates of salary increase |
3.6 | % | 3.6 | % | 3.1 | % |
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $591,952,000 and $511,203,000 at December 25, 2005 and December 26, 2004, respectively, compared to the fair market value of the plans assets of $594,109,000 and $526,643,000 on the same dates. The following table summarizes data for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, (in thousands):
December 25, 2005 |
December 26, 2004 | |||||
Projected benefit obligation |
$ | 32,461 | $ | 28,852 | ||
Accumulated benefit obligation |
25,318 | 23,355 | ||||
Fair value of plan assets |
| |
For the Star Tribune post-retirement plan, the medical cost trend rates are expected to decline from 9.0% in 2006 to 5.0% by the year 2011. For the Star Tribunes plan (benefit obligation of $12.4 million and expense of $1.9 million), a 1.0% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the benefit obligation and annual expense by $977,000 and $198,000, respectively. A 1.0% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would decrease the benefit obligation and annual expense by $904,000 and $179,000, respectively.
The Company has deferred compensation plans (401(k) plans and other savings plans) which enable qualified employees to voluntarily defer compensation. The Companys mandatory matching contributions to the 401(k) plans were $6,595,000 in 2005, $7,047,000 in 2004, and $6,724,000 in 2003.
NOTE 5. | CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
Cash paid during the fiscal years ended December 25, 2005, December 26, 2004 and December 28, 2003 for interest and income taxes were (in thousands):
2005 |
2004 |
2003 | |||||||
Interest paid (net of amount capitalized) |
$ | 6,656 | $ | 8,269 | $ | 15,113 | |||
Income taxes paid (net of refunds) |
$ | 104,320 | $ | 85,601 | $ | 78,059 |
38
In addition, in fiscal 2005 the Companys non-cash investing activity consisted of an exchange of property, plant and equipment of $4.4 million.
NOTE 6. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
The Company has purchase obligations primarily related to capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment expiring at various dates through 2008, totaling $56.1 million.
The Company and its subsidiaries rent certain facilities and equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through December 2013. Total rental expense amounted to $6,212,000 in 2005, $6,018,000 in 2004 and $6,122,885 in 2003.
Minimum rental commitments under operating leases with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are (in thousands):
2006 |
$ | 6,045 | |
2007 |
4,524 | ||
2008 |
3,040 | ||
2009 |
1,925 | ||
2010 |
1,241 | ||
Thereafter |
1,255 | ||
Total |
$ | 18,030 | |
There are libel and other legal actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and are pending against the Company. From time to time the Company is involved as a party in various governmental proceedings, including environmental matters. Management believes, after reviewing such actions with counsel, that the outcome of pending actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
NOTE 7. | COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS |
The Companys Class A and Class B Common Stock participate equally in dividends. Holders of Class B are entitled to one vote per share and to elect as a class 75% of the Board of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one-tenth of a vote per share and to elect as a class 25% of the Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.
On December 25, 2005 the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of the Companys Class A common stock. The shares will be repurchased at the Companys discretion, either in the open market or in privately negotiated block transactions. The decision to buy back stock will depend on prevailing market prices, availability, and market conditions, among other things. Purchases will occur from time to time and the Company has not set any time frame for completion of the program. No repurchases were made in fiscal 2005.
The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the Company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more Permitted Transferees, subject to certain exceptions. A Permitted Transferee is any current holder of shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy; or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy.
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In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as Option Events, each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholders ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, the Company has the option of purchasing the remaining shares. In general, any shares not purchased under this procedure will be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless, following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total number of all outstanding shares of common stock of the Company). The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.
At December 25, 2005, the Company has six stock-based compensation plans, which are described below. The Company applied APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its plans in fiscal 2005 and prior years. The Company has adopted SFAS No. 123(R) for its stock plans effective December 26, 2005, the first day of fiscal 2006. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Companys Amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) reserved 1,875,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance to employees. Eligible employees may purchase shares at 85% of fair market value (as defined) through payroll deductions. The Purchase Plan can be automatically terminated by the Company at any time. As of December 25, 2005, a total of 1,383,222 shares of Class A common stock have been issued under the Purchase Plan.
The Company has two stock option plans which reserve 4,062,500 Class A common shares for issuance to key employeesthe 1994 and 1997 plans (Employee Plans). Terms of each of the Employee Plans are substantially the same. Options are granted at the market price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant. The options vest in installments over four years, and once vested are exercisable up to 10 years from the date of grant. Although the plans permit the Company, at its sole discretion, to settle unexercised options by granting stock appreciation rights, the Company does not intend to avail itself of this alternative. The 1994 plan (which has 1,768,350 outstanding grants at December 25, 2005) expired in January 2004 and has been replaced by the 2004 stock incentive plan (see the discussion below)
The Companys two amended and restated stock option plans for outside directors (the 1990 Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Director Plan, together the Directors Plans) provide for the issuance of up to 687,500 shares of Class A stock. Under these plans each non-employee director is granted, at the conclusion of each regular annual meeting of stockholders, an option to purchase shares of Class A common stock at fair market value on the date of the grant. In 2005, each such director was granted an option to purchase 3,000 shares of Class A common stock. Terms of the Directors Plans are similar to the terms of the Employee Plans.
The Company has a stock incentive plan (the 2004 plan) which reserves 3,000,000 Class A common shares for issuance to key employees and outside directors. Terms of the 2004 plan are similar to the Employee and Directors Plans, except that the 2004 plan permits the following type of incentive awards in addition to stock options and stock appreciation rights: restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock units and dividend equivalent rights.
In fiscal 2005, the Company awarded stock settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) in lieu of stock options. The SARs were granted at fair market value, have a ten-year term and vest in four equal annual installments beginning on March 1 following the year for which the award was made.
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Outstanding options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) are summarized as follows:
Options/ SARs |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||
Outstanding December 29, 2002 |
2,250,480 | $ | 44.07 | |||
Granted |
589,500 | $ | 66.62 | |||
Exercised |
(203,305 | ) | $ | 35.96 | ||
Forfeited |
(50,625 | ) | $ | 42.49 | ||
Outstanding December 28, 2003 |
2,586,050 | $ | 49.88 | |||
Granted |
515,000 | $ | 70.99 | |||
Exercised |
(130,550 | ) | $ | 39.33 | ||
Forfeited |
(51,375 | ) | $ | 56.99 | ||
Outstanding December 26, 2004 |
2,919,125 | $ | 53.95 | |||
Granted |
567,500 | $ | 59.92 | |||
Exercised |
(187,675 | ) | $ | 40.58 | ||
Forfeited |
(50,250 | ) | $ | 65.07 | ||
Outstanding December 25, 2005 |
3,248,700 | $ | 55.60 | |||
Options exercisable: |
||||||
December 28, 2003 |
785,175 | |||||
December 26, 2004 |
1,125,375 | |||||
December 25, 2005 |
1,447,450 |
The following tables summarize information about stock options and SARs outstanding in the stock plans at December 25, 2005:
Range of Exercise Prices |
Options/ SARs |
Average Contractual |
Weighted Exercise Price |
Options/ SARs |
Weighted Exercise Price | |||||||
$18.90 - $45.98 |
1,116,575 | 4.70 | $ | 40.32 | 1,006,950 | $ | 39.71 | |||||
$51.59 - $60.35 |
1,084,500 | 8.39 | $ | 58.26 | 293,875 | $ | 57.58 | |||||
$62.50 - $73.36 |
1,047,625 | 8.45 | $ | 69.13 | 146,625 | $ | 67.46 | |||||
3,248,700 | 1,447,450 | |||||||||||
Pro forma compensation costs are calculated for the fair value of the employees purchase rights, which was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions:
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
||||||||||
Dividend yield |
1.22 | 0.74 | 0.65 | |||||||||
Expected life in years |
5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | |||||||||
Volatility |
.16 | .14 | .16 | |||||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
4.40 | % | 3.61 | % | 3.07 | % | ||||||
Weighted average fair value of options/SARs granted |
$ | 12.08 | $ | 13.62 | $ | 13.05 |
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NOTE 8. | QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) |
The Companys business is somewhat seasonal, with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of increased advertising activity during the holiday seasons. The first quarter is historically the weakest quarter for revenues and profits. The Companys quarterly results are summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter | |||||||||
2005 |
||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 280,927 | $ | 302,756 | $ | 292,617 | $ | 309,815 | ||||
Operating income |
55,502 | 75,244 | 64,199 | 75,056 | ||||||||
Net income |
32,335 | 44,164 | 38,639 | 45,381 | ||||||||
Net income per common sharediluted |
0.69 | 0.94 | 0.82 | 0.97 | ||||||||
2004 |
||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 272,283 | $ | 296,270 | $ | 286,672 | $ | 308,151 | ||||
Operating income |
51,799 | 72,126 | 65,697 | 79,687 | ||||||||
Net income |
28,929 | 40,095 | 39,072 | 47,780 | ||||||||
Net income per common sharediluted |
0.62 | 0.86 | 0.83 | 1.02 |
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, the Companys management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that time to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter of 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of The McClatchy Company (Company) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Companys internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the Companys financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
42
Management of the Company assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2005. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework. Based on managements assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2005.
The McClatchy Companys independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on managements assessment of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 24.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Not Applicable
PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT |
Biographical information for Class A Directors, Class B Directors and executive officers contained under the captions Nominees for Class A Directors, Nominees for Class B Directors and Other Executive Officers under the heading Election of Directors in the definitive Proxy Statement for the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Proxy Statement) is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, the names of each member of the Companys standing Audit Committee contained under the caption Audit Committee under the heading Corporate Governance and Board Matters in the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference.
Audit Committee Financial ExpertsThe Board of Directors of McClatchy has determined that S. Donley Ritchey, Chair of the Audit Committee, and Leroy Barnes, Audit Committee member, are audit committee financial experts as defined by Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and are independent within the meaning of Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A of the Exchange Act.
Codes of ConductThe Board of Directors of McClatchy has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers for the Companys senior financial and accounting officers and the CEO. In addition, the Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all officers, directors and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers are available on the Companys website at www.mcclatchy.com and are also available in print to any shareholder requesting copies. The Company will disclose on its website when there have been any waivers of, or amendments to, the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers.
Corporate Government GuidelinesThe Board of Directors of McClatchy has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which are available on the Companys website at www.mcclatchy.com. The Guidelines are also available in print to any shareholder requesting a copy.
Policy Regarding Director Recommendations by Security HoldersInformation contained under the caption Consideration of Director Nominees under the heading Corporate Governance and Board Matters in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Section 16(a) Beneficial OwnershipInformation contained under the heading Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The information contained under the headings Directors Compensation, Executive Compensation, Stock Option Awards, Stock Option Exercises and Holdings, Long-Term Incentive Awards, Pension Plans and Employment Agreements and Changes-in-Control Agreement under the Compensation section in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The information contained under the heading Principal Shareholders and under the sub-heading Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans of the section entitled Compensation in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS |
The information contained under the headings Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES |
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is set forth under the headings Fees Billed to McClatchy by Deloitte & Touche LLP and Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy under the section entitled Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as McClatchys Independent Auditors in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(1)&(2) | Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules filed as a part of this Report are listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules on page 23 hereof. | |
(3) | Exhibits filed as part of this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on Page 47 hereof. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
The McClatchy Company | ||
By: | /s/ GARY B. PRUITT | |
Gary B. Pruitt, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date |
February 23, 2006 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Principal Executive Officer: | ||
By: | /s/ GARY B. PRUITT | |
Gary B. Pruitt, Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
Principal Financial Officer: | ||
By: | /s/ PATRICK J. TALAMANTES | |
Patrick J. Talamantes, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
Principal Accounting Officer: | ||
By: | /s/ LAWRENCE D. EDGAR | |
Lawrence D. Edgar, Controller |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
Directors: | ||
By: | /s/ ELIZABETH BALLANTINE | |
Elizabeth Ballantine, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ LEROY T. BARNES, JR. | |
Leroy T. Barnes, Jr., Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ WILLIAM K. COBLENTZ | |
William K. Coblentz, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ MOLLY MALONEY EVANGELISTI | |
Molly Maloney Evangelisti, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
45
Directors (continued): | ||
By: | /s/ R. LARRY JINKS | |
R. Larry Jinks, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ JOAN F. LANE | |
Joan F. Lane, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ BROWN MCCLATCHY MALONEY | |
Brown McClatchy Maloney, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ KEVIN MCCLATCHY | |
Kevin McClatchy, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ WILLIAM MCCLATCHY | |
William McClatchy, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ THEODORE REED MITCHELL | |
Theodore Reed Mitchell, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ S. DONLEY RITCHEY, JR. | |
S. Donley Ritchey, Jr., Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ FREDERICK R. RUIZ | |
Frederick R. Ruiz, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
By: | /s/ MAGGIE WILDEROTTER | |
Maggie Wilderotter, Director |
Date: |
February 23, 2006 |
46
TABLE OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
Description | |
3.1* | The Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March 18, 1998, included as Exhibit 3.1 in the Companys 1997 Form 10-K. | |
3.2* | The Companys By-laws as amended as of July 1, 2005, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K on May 23, 2005. | |
4.1* | Form of Physical Note for Commercial Paper Program included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2004. | |
10.1* | Ponderay Newsprint Company Partnership Agreement dated as of September 12, 1985 between Lake Superior Forest Products, Inc., Central Newsprint Company, Inc., Bradley Paper Company, Copley Northwest, Inc., Puller Paper Company, Newsprint Ventures, Inc., Wingate Paper Company, Tribune Newsprint Company and Nimitz Paper Company included in Exhibit 10.10 to McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. Registration Statement No. 33-17270 on Form S-1. | |
10.2* | Credit Agreement dated May 10, 2004 by and among the Company, lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Letter of Credit Issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank as Syndication Agent and Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers, included as Exhibit 10.14 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2004. | |
**10.3* | Executive Performance Plan included in Exhibit 10.13 to McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. 1989 Report on Form 10-K. | |
**10.4* | The McClatchy Company Management by Objective Plan Description included as Exhibit 10.4 in the Companys Report filed on Form 10-K for the Year ending December 31, 2000. | |
**10.5* | The Companys Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2005. | |
**10.6* | Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys 2001 Form 10-K. | |
**10.7* | The Companys Amended and Restated 1990 Directors Stock Option Plan dated February 1, 1998 included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Companys 1997 Form 10-K. | |
**10.8* | Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.15 to the Companys Report on Form 10-Q filed for the Quarter Ending on July 1, 2001. | |
**10.9* | Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.7 to the Companys 2002 Report on Form 10-K. | |
**10.10* | The Companys Amended and Restated 2001 Director Stock Option Plan, included as Exhibit 10.13 to the Companys 2004 Report on Form 10-K. | |
**10.11* | The Companys 2004 Stock Incentive Plan included as Exhibit 10.14 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2004. | |
**10.12* | Form of the Companys Director Option Agreement included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 16, 2004. | |
**10.13* | Form of 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 16, 2004. | |
**10.14* | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement related to the Companys 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2005. |
47
Exhibit |
Description | |
**10.15* | The Companys Amended and Restated Chief Executive Bonus Plan included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Companys Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending June 29, 2003. | |
**10.16* | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary B. Pruitt dated October 22, 2003 included as Exhibit 10.10 to the Companys 2003 Form 10-K. | |
10.17* | Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its officers and directors, included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2005. | |
21* | Subsidiaries of the Company included as Exhibit 21 to the Companys report on Form 10Q for the quarter ending June 26, 2005. | |
23 | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP | |
31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act. | |
31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act. | |
32.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
32.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
* | Incorporated by reference |
** | Compensation plans or arrangements for the Companys executive officers and directors |
48