UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC. 20549
Form 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2004
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: 1-6383
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commonwealth of Virginia | 54-0850433 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
333 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA | 23219 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(804) 649-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
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. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock as of November 2, 2004.
Class A Common shares: | 23,174,808 | |
Class B Common shares: | 555,992 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-Q REPORT
September 26, 2004
Page | ||||
Part I. Financial Information |
||||
Item 1. Financial Statements |
||||
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets September 26, 2004, and December 28, 2003 |
1 | |||
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | ||||
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
19 | |||
Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
25 | |||
Part II. Other Information |
||||
Item 1. Legal Proceedings |
25 | |||
Item 6. Exhibits |
25 | |||
26 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(000s except shares)
(Unaudited) September 26, 2004 |
December 28, 2003 | |||||
ASSETS |
||||||
Current assets: |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 9,150 | $ | 10,575 | ||
Accounts receivable - net |
104,738 | 113,226 | ||||
Inventories |
7,751 | 6,171 | ||||
Other |
40,534 | 32,649 | ||||
Total current assets |
162,173 | 162,621 | ||||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
90,328 | 89,994 | ||||
Other assets |
57,922 | 60,277 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment - net |
428,146 | 434,088 | ||||
Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses - net |
832,004 | 832,004 | ||||
FCC licenses and other intangibles - net |
795,444 | 807,771 | ||||
$ | 2,366,017 | $ | 2,386,755 | |||
See accompanying notes.
1
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(000s except shares)
(Unaudited) September 26, |
December 28, 2003 |
|||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 21,898 | $ | 22,210 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
89,406 | 83,424 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
| 8,769 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
111,304 | 114,403 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
485,454 | 531,969 | ||||||
Borrowings of consolidated variable interest entities |
95,320 | 95,320 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
379,284 | 362,769 | ||||||
Other liabilities and deferred credits |
146,861 | 174,833 | ||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock ($5 cumulative convertible), par value $5 per share: |
||||||||
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none outstanding |
||||||||
Common stock, par value $5 per share: |
||||||||
Class A, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 23,172,200 and 22,989,506 shares |
115,861 | 114,947 | ||||||
Class B, authorized 600,000 shares; issued 555,992 shares |
2,780 | 2,780 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
43,705 | 34,595 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(51,371 | ) | (50,984 | ) | ||||
Unearned compensation |
(9,974 | ) | (11,670 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings |
1,046,793 | 1,017,793 | ||||||
Total stockholders equity |
1,147,794 | 1,107,461 | ||||||
$ | 2,366,017 | $ | 2,386,755 | |||||
See accompanying notes.
2
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(000s except for per share data)
Third Quarter Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
|||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 217,644 | $ | 205,086 | $ | 650,690 | $ | 611,890 | ||||||||
Operating costs: |
||||||||||||||||
Production |
94,333 | 89,487 | 280,037 | 267,007 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
75,876 | 73,089 | 230,757 | 218,021 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
15,709 | 16,327 | 49,280 | 49,976 | ||||||||||||
Total operating costs |
185,918 | 178,903 | 560,074 | 535,004 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
31,726 | 26,183 | 90,616 | 76,886 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,643 | ) | (8,409 | ) | (23,171 | ) | (26,262 | ) | ||||||||
Investment income (loss) unconsolidated affiliates |
523 | (1,044 | ) | 330 | (4,552 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
335 | 1,295 | 1,028 | 9,530 | ||||||||||||
Total other expense |
(6,785 | ) | (8,158 | ) | (21,813 | ) | (21,284 | ) | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
24,941 | 18,025 | 68,803 | 55,602 | ||||||||||||
Income taxes |
9,228 | 6,580 | 25,457 | 20,297 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
15,713 | 11,445 | 43,346 | 35,305 | ||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |
| 301 | | 957 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (net of income tax benefit) |
| (8,079 | ) | | (8,079 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 15,713 | $ | 3,667 | $ | 43,346 | $ | 28,183 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.53 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
| 0.01 | | 0.04 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
| (0.35 | ) | | (0.35 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.22 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share assuming dilution: |
||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
0.66 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.51 | |||||||||
Discontinued operations |
| 0.01 | | 0.04 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
| (0.34 | ) | | (0.34 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 0.66 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.21 | ||||||||
Dividends paid per common share |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.57 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes.
3
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(000s)
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
September 26, 2004 |
September 28, 2003 |
|||||||
Operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 43,346 | $ | 28,183 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income: |
||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
| 8,079 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
49,280 | 50,034 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
21,844 | 17,710 | ||||||
Investment (income) loss - unconsolidated affiliates |
(330 | ) | 4,552 | |||||
Gain on sale of investment |
| (5,746 | ) | |||||
Retirement plan contributions |
(35,014 | ) | (21,000 | ) | ||||
Change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable and inventories |
6,908 | 7,088 | ||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities |
1,331 | (1,136 | ) | |||||
Income taxes payable |
(11,872 | ) | (1,844 | ) | ||||
Reduction in advance from unconsolidated newsprint affiliate |
| (6,667 | ) | |||||
Other |
4,232 | 307 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
79,725 | 79,560 | ||||||
Investing activities: |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(29,505 | ) | (22,761 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of investment |
| 16,840 | ||||||
Contribution to unconsolidated newsprint affiliate |
| (2,000 | ) | |||||
Purchase of investments |
(2,147 | ) | (3,185 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
1,384 | 26 | ||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(30,268 | ) | (11,080 | ) | ||||
Financing activities: |
||||||||
Increase in debt |
244,500 | 216,000 | ||||||
Payment of debt |
(291,015 | ) | (277,464 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(14,208 | ) | (13,328 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
9,841 | 3,326 | ||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(50,882 | ) | (71,466 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,425 | ) | (2,986 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
10,575 | 11,279 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 9,150 | $ | 8,293 | ||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: |
||||||||
Interest (net of amount capitalized) |
$ | 25,068 | $ | 24,178 | ||||
Income taxes |
$ | 11,807 | $ | 8,460 |
See accompanying notes.
4
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting, and with applicable quarterly reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of interim financial information, have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. Certain prior-year financial information has been reclassified to conform with the current years presentation.
2. Inventories are principally raw materials (primarily newsprint).
3. In March 2003, the Company sold its shares of Hoovers (a provider of business information) for $16.8 million and reported a gain of $5.7 million ($3.7 million net of income taxes) which is included in the line item Other, net. Proceeds from the sale were used to repay debt.
4. The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Companys benefit plans for the third quarter and nine months ended 2004 and 2003:
Third Quarter Ended | ||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits |
Other Benefits | |||||||||||||
(In thousands) | September 26, 2004 |
September 28, 2003 |
September 26, 2004 |
September 28, 2003 | ||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 3,072 | $ | 2,769 | $ | 99 | $ | 97 | ||||||
Interest cost |
5,210 | 4,901 | 515 | 635 | ||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(6,154 | ) | (5,489 | ) | | | ||||||||
Amortization of prior-service cost |
88 | 111 | | | ||||||||||
Amortization of net loss |
1,051 | | 42 | 99 | ||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | 3,267 | $ | 2,292 | $ | 656 | $ | 831 | ||||||
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits |
Other Benefits | |||||||||||||
September 26, 2004 |
September 28, 2003 |
September 26, 2004 |
September 28, 2003 | |||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 9,215 | $ | 8,306 | $ | 297 | $ | 292 | ||||||
Interest cost |
15,631 | 14,703 | 1,544 | 1,905 | ||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(18,463 | ) | (16,467 | ) | | | ||||||||
Amortization of prior-service cost |
264 | 333 | | | ||||||||||
Amortization of net loss |
3,153 | | 126 | 297 | ||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | 9,800 | $ | 6,875 | $ | 1,967 | $ | 2,494 | ||||||
5
In December of 2003 Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act). The Act reformed Medicare in such a way that the Company expects to receive subsidy payments beginning in 2006 for continuing retiree prescription drug benefits and expects a reduction in the rate of participation by current employees in the plan. In the second quarter, based on currently available guidance, the Company adopted (retroactive to the beginning of 2004) FASB Staff Position 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Upon retroactive adoption of the Act, the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) was reduced by $5.6 million, which resulted in a decrease in the Companys net periodic postretirement benefit cost of approximately $195,000 for each of the first two quarters of 2004. A comparable decrease was recognized in the third quarter and a similar decrease is anticipated in the final quarter of the year. Certain definitions and interpretations, yet to be issued by the federal government, could require the Company to adjust future estimates.
5. The following table sets forth the Companys current and prior-year financial performance by segment for 2004:
Interactive | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Publishing |
Broadcasting |
Media |
Eliminations |
Total |
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 26, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated revenues |
$ | 137,659 | $ | 77,308 | $ | 3,526 | $ | (849 | ) | $ | 217,644 | |||||||||
Segment operating cash flow |
$ | 35,286 | $ | 24,397 | $ | (1,202 | ) | $ | 58,481 | |||||||||||
Allocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate |
207 | 207 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(5,847 | ) | (4,215 | ) | (303 | ) | (10,365 | ) | ||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 29,646 | $ | 20,182 | $ | (1,505 | ) | 48,323 | ||||||||||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,643 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment income SP Newsprint |
316 | |||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition intangibles amortization |
(4,109 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate expense |
(9,636 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(2,310 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated income before income taxes |
$ | 24,941 | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 28, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated revenues |
$ | 132,226 | $ | 70,865 | $ | 2,612 | $ | (617 | ) | $ | 205,086 | |||||||||
Segment operating cash flow |
$ | 34,453 | $ | 20,585 | $ | (1,396 | ) | $ | 53,642 | |||||||||||
Allocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate |
170 | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(6,434 | ) | (5,245 | ) | (319 | ) | (11,998 | ) | ||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 28,189 | $ | 15,340 | $ | (1,715 | ) | 41,814 | ||||||||||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(8,409 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment loss SP Newsprint |
(1,214 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition intangibles amortization |
(3,012 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate expense |
(9,575 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(1,579 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
$ | 18,025 | ||||||||||||||||||
6
Interactive | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Publishing |
Broadcasting |
Media |
Eliminations |
Total |
|||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated revenues |
$ | 413,893 | $ | 229,434 | $ | 10,010 | $ | (2,647 | ) | $ | 650,690 | |||||||||
Segment operating cash flow |
$ | 105,023 | $ | 73,175 | $ | (3,625 | ) | $ | 174,573 | |||||||||||
Allocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate |
355 | 355 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(17,771 | ) | (14,183 | ) | (1,053 | ) | (33,007 | ) | ||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 87,607 | $ | 58,992 | $ | (4,678 | ) | 141,921 | ||||||||||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(23,171 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment loss SP Newsprint |
(25 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition intangibles amortization |
(12,327 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate expense |
(30,994 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(6,601 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated income before income taxes |
$ | 68,803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 28, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated revenues |
$ | 397,598 | $ | 208,999 | $ | 7,025 | $ | (1,732 | ) | $ | 611,890 | |||||||||
Segment operating cash flow |
$ | 102,769 | $ | 60,933 | $ | (4,011 | ) | $ | 159,691 | |||||||||||
Allocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate |
346 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of Hoovers |
5,746 | 5,746 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(19,698 | ) | (16,464 | ) | (1,192 | ) | (37,354 | ) | ||||||||||||
Segment profit |
$ | 83,417 | $ | 44,469 | $ | 543 | 128,429 | |||||||||||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(26,262 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment loss SP Newsprint |
(4,898 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition intangibles amortization |
(9,043 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate expense |
(27,674 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(4,950 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
$ | 55,602 | ||||||||||||||||||
6. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations:
Quarter Ended September 26, 2004 |
Quarter Ended September 28, 2003 | |||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per Share Amount |
Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per Share Amount | ||||||||||||
Basic EPS |
||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders |
$ | 15,713 | 23,399 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 11,445 | 23,074 | $ | 0.50 | ||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities |
||||||||||||||||||
Stock options |
132 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock and other |
(8 | ) | 199 | (12 | ) | 171 | ||||||||||||
Diluted EPS |
||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions |
$ | 15,705 | 23,730 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 11,433 | 23,423 | $ | 0.49 | ||||||||
7
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2004 |
Nine Months Ended September 28, 2003 | |||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per Share Amount |
Income (Numerator) |
Shares (Denominator) |
Per Share Amount | ||||||||||||
Basic EPS |
||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders |
$ | 43,346 | 23,339 | $ | 1.86 | $ | 35,305 | 23,052 | $ | 1.53 | ||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities |
||||||||||||||||||
Stock options |
188 | 140 | ||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock and other |
(24 | ) | 200 | (42 | ) | 154 | ||||||||||||
Diluted EPS |
||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions |
$ | 43,322 | 23,727 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 35,263 | 23,346 | $ | 1.51 | ||||||||
7. The Companys comprehensive income consisted of the following:
Quarter Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 15,713 | $ | 3,667 | $ | 43,346 | $ | 28,183 | |||||||
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts (net of deferred taxes) |
827 | 1,270 | 3,066 | 3,489 | |||||||||||
Minimum pension liability |
| | 4 | (570 | ) | ||||||||||
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on equity - securities (net of deferred taxes) |
(2,161 | ) | 1,397 | (3,457 | ) | 2,270 | |||||||||
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (net of deferred taxes) |
| | | (3,607 | ) | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
$ | 14,379 | $ | 6,334 | $ | 42,959 | $ | 29,765 | |||||||
8. The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2004 and 2003, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.8% and 3.7%; dividend yields of 1.4% and 1.4%; volatility factors of .48 and .40; and an expected life of 8 years.
8
Quarter Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
Sept. 26, 2004 |
Sept. 28, 2003 |
||||||||||||
Net income as reported |
$ | 15,713 | $ | 3,667 | $ | 43,346 | $ | 28,183 | ||||||||
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects |
(1,336 | ) | (1,109 | ) | (3,844 | ) | (3,253 | ) | ||||||||
Pro forma net income |
$ | 14,377 | $ | 2,558 | $ | 39,502 | $ | 24,930 | ||||||||
Earning per share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic as reported |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.22 | ||||||||
Basic pro forma |
$ | 0.61 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 1.69 | $ | 1.08 | ||||||||
Diluted as reported |
$ | 0.66 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.21 | ||||||||
Diluted pro forma |
$ | 0.61 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 1.66 | $ | 1.07 | ||||||||
In March 2004, the FASB issued a proposed statement, Share-Based Payment, that would require that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method to recognize compensation expense. The FASB has indicated that this statement would be effective for public companies for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005 (earlier adoption is permitted). The FASB plans to issue the final statement near the end of this years fourth quarter although a good deal of debate over this topic continues to occur, including some bills introduced in Congress. The Company will continue to monitor the status of this proposed standard.
9. As part of the September 2000 sale of Garden State Paper Company, the Company entered into a financial newsprint swap agreement with Enron North America Corporation (Enron). In late November 2001, the Company terminated the newsprint swap agreement for reasons including misrepresentations made by Enron at the time the contract was signed. Enron filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter. The Company believes that no further payments are due by either party under the agreement. Enron disputes the Companys position and, in late 2003, filed a claim for $26.7 million plus interest and certain declaratory relief. The Company believes that its position is correct and has filed various motions to dismiss the claim or to remove it from the bankruptcy court. A mediation session was held late in the second quarter and an additional session was held early in the fourth quarter. The Company does not believe that any resolution of this matter will be material to its results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
10. In October 2003, the Company sold Media General Financial Services, Inc. (MGFS), a component of its Interactive Media Division. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $6.8 million (net of income taxes of $3.9 million). The results of MGFS, which have been presented as income from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, were as follows for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003: revenues of $1.2 million and $3.7 million, costs and expenses of $.7 million and $2.2 million, and income from discontinued operations of $.3 million and $1 million (net of $.2 million and $.5 million in income taxes).
11. The Company has a one-third partnership interest in SP Newsprint Company (SPNC) which it accounts for under the equity method. The Company has agreed to contribute additional equity (up to $4.7 million) if SPNCs liquidity, as defined, were to fall below a specified threshold. This agreement terminates on December 31, 2005.
9
12. The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, as of the beginning of the third quarter in 2003 and began consolidating certain Variable Interest Entities which own real property leased to the Company. Upon adoption, the Company added $86 million of assets (primarily buildings), $94 million of liabilities (primarily debt) and recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8.1 million (net of $3.4 million in taxes).
13. In September 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that the residual method (until now, a method in common use) will no longer be accepted as an appropriate method to value acquired assets other than goodwill. Effective no later than the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2004, registrants will be required to use a direct method for impairment testing on all identifiable intangible assets, including those previously valued using the residual method; any loss as a result of this test would be reported as a change in accounting principle. The Companys FCC licenses were originally valued using a residual method. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, that this changed method may have on its financial position or results of operations.
14. In August 2001, the Company filed a universal shelf registration for combined public debt or equity securities totaling up to $1.2 billion. The Companys subsidiaries are 100% owned except for certain VIEs; all subsidiaries except those in the non-guarantor columns that follow (which include the VIEs and the Companys discontinued operations) currently guarantee the debt securities issued from the shelf. These guarantees are full and unconditional and on a joint and several basis. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows for the parent company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations.
10
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of September 26, 2004
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 6,232 | $ | 2,918 | $ | | $ | | $ | 9,150 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
| 104,738 | | | 104,738 | |||||||||||||||
Inventories |
2 | 7,749 | | | 7,751 | |||||||||||||||
Other |
41,148 | 59,759 | 297 | (60,670 | ) | 40,534 | ||||||||||||||
Total current assets |
47,382 | 175,164 | 297 | (60,670 | ) | 162,173 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
10,777 | 79,551 | | | 90,328 | |||||||||||||||
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries |
1,661,637 | 990,429 | 5,721 | (2,657,787 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other assets |
35,369 | 21,534 | 1,019 | | 57,922 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
20,310 | 329,659 | 80,577 | (2,400 | ) | 428,146 | ||||||||||||||
Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses, net |
| 832,004 | | | 832,004 | |||||||||||||||
FCC licenses and other intangibles, net |
| 795,444 | | | 795,444 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,775,475 | $ | 3,223,785 | $ | 87,614 | $ | (2,720,857 | ) | $ | 2,366,017 | |||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 6,876 | $ | 15,028 | $ | | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 21,898 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
58,982 | 90,797 | 297 | (60,670 | ) | 89,406 | ||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
65,858 | 105,825 | 297 | (60,676 | ) | 111,304 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
485,454 | | 95,320 | | 580,774 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(61,415 | ) | 440,699 | | | 379,284 | ||||||||||||||
Other liabilities and deferred credits |
137,427 | 7,647 | | 1,787 | 146,861 | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
118,641 | 4,872 | | (4,872 | ) | 118,641 | ||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
43,705 | 2,027,288 | 4,187 | (2,031,475 | ) | 43,705 | ||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(51,235 | ) | (136 | ) | | | (51,371 | ) | ||||||||||||
Unearned compensation |
(9,974 | ) | | | | (9,974 | ) | |||||||||||||
Retained earnings |
1,047,014 | 637,590 | (12,190 | ) | (625,621 | ) | 1,046,793 | |||||||||||||
Total stockholders equity |
1,148,151 | 2,669,614 | (8,003 | ) | (2,661,968 | ) | 1,147,794 | |||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 1,775,475 | $ | 3,223,785 | $ | 87,614 | $ | (2,720,857 | ) | $ | 2,366,017 | |||||||||
11
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of December 28, 2003
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 7,343 | $ | 3,232 | $ | | $ | | $ | 10,575 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
| 113,226 | | | 113,226 | ||||||||||||||
Inventories |
2 | 6,169 | | | 6,171 | ||||||||||||||
Other |
41,742 | 53,260 | 261 | (62,614 | ) | 32,649 | |||||||||||||
Total current assets |
49,087 | 175,887 | 261 | (62,614 | ) | 162,621 | |||||||||||||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
10,418 | 79,576 | | | 89,994 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries |
1,691,763 | 906,696 | 5,721 | (2,604,180 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Other assets |
33,492 | 25,450 | 1,335 | | 60,277 | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
21,027 | 332,734 | 82,727 | (2,400 | ) | 434,088 | |||||||||||||
Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses, net |
| 832,004 | | | 832,004 | ||||||||||||||
FCC licenses and other intangibles, net |
| 807,771 | | | 807,771 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,805,787 | $ | 3,160,118 | $ | 90,044 | $ | (2,669,194 | ) | $ | 2,386,755 | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 9,352 | $ | 12,864 | $ | | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 22,210 | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
60,497 | 85,281 | 261 | (62,615 | ) | 83,424 | |||||||||||||
Taxes on income |
| 8,769 | | | 8,769 | ||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
69,849 | 106,914 | 261 | (62,621 | ) | 114,403 | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
531,969 | | 95,320 | | 627,289 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(66,494 | ) | 429,263 | | | 362,769 | |||||||||||||
Other liabilities and deferred credits |
166,238 | 6,808 | | 1,787 | 174,833 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
|||||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
117,727 | 4,872 | | (4,872 | ) | 117,727 | |||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
34,595 | 2,027,288 | 4,187 | (2,031,475 | ) | 34,595 | |||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(54,304 | ) | 3,320 | | | (50,984 | ) | ||||||||||||
Unearned compensation |
(11,670 | ) | | | | (11,670 | ) | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings |
1,017,877 | 581,653 | (9,724 | ) | (572,013 | ) | 1,017,793 | ||||||||||||
Total stockholders equity |
1,104,225 | 2,617,133 | (5,537 | ) | (2,608,360 | ) | 1,107,461 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 1,805,787 | $ | 3,160,118 | $ | 90,044 | $ | (2,669,194 | ) | $ | 2,386,755 | ||||||||
12
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended September 26, 2004
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 41,888 | $ | 247,241 | $ | | $ | (71,485 | ) | $ | 217,644 | |||||||||
Operating costs: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Production |
| 94,333 | | | 94,333 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
40,320 | 107,608 | | (72,052 | ) | 75,876 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
519 | 14,473 | 717 | | 15,709 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating costs |
40,839 | 216,414 | 717 | (72,052 | ) | 185,918 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
1,049 | 30,827 | (717 | ) | 567 | 31,726 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,019 | ) | (1 | ) | (623 | ) | | (7,643 | ) | |||||||||||
Investment income unconsolidated affiliates |
207 | 316 | | | 523 | |||||||||||||||
Investment income (loss) consolidated affiliates |
18,916 | | | (18,916 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other, net |
300 | 35 | 567 | (567 | ) | 335 | ||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
12,404 | 350 | (56 | ) | (19,483 | ) | (6,785 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
13,453 | 31,177 | (773 | ) | (18,916 | ) | 24,941 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(2,260 | ) | 11,488 | | | 9,228 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
15,713 | 19,689 | (773 | ) | (18,916 | ) | 15,713 | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax) |
827 | (2,161 | ) | | | (1,334 | ) | |||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 16,540 | $ | 17,528 | $ | (773 | ) | $ | (18,916 | ) | $ | 14,379 | ||||||||
13
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2004
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 126,675 | $ | 739,586 | $ | | $ | (215,571 | ) | $ | 650,690 | |||||||||
Operating costs: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Production |
| 280,037 | | | 280,037 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
122,275 | 325,560 | | (217,078 | ) | 230,757 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,795 | 45,334 | 2,151 | | 49,280 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating costs |
124,070 | 650,931 | 2,151 | (217,078 | ) | 560,074 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
2,605 | 88,655 | (2,151 | ) | 1,507 | 90,616 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(21,482 | ) | (4 | ) | (1,685 | ) | | (23,171 | ) | |||||||||||
Investment income (loss) unconsolidated affiliates |
355 | (25 | ) | | | 330 | ||||||||||||||
Investment income (loss) consolidated affiliates |
53,608 | | | (53,608 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other, net |
881 | 147 | 1,507 | (1,507 | ) | 1,028 | ||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
33,362 | 118 | (178 | ) | (55,115 | ) | (21,813 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
35,967 | 88,773 | (2,329 | ) | (53,608 | ) | 68,803 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(7,379 | ) | 32,836 | | | 25,457 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
43,346 | 55,937 | (2,329 | ) | (53,608 | ) | 43,346 | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax) |
3,070 | (3,457 | ) | | | (387 | ) | |||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 46,416 | $ | 52,480 | $ | (2,329 | ) | $ | (53,608 | ) | $ | 42,959 | ||||||||
14
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Three months Ended September 28, 2003
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 40,577 | $ | 234,453 | $ | | $ | (69,944 | ) | $ | 205,086 | |||||||||
Operating costs: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Production |
| 89,487 | | | 89,487 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
40,345 | 103,161 | | (70,417 | ) | 73,089 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
600 | 15,010 | 717 | | 16,327 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating costs |
40,945 | 207,658 | 717 | (70,417 | ) | 178,903 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(368 | ) | 26,795 | (717 | ) | 473 | 26,183 | |||||||||||||
Operating income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(7,872 | ) | (1 | ) | (536 | ) | | (8,409 | ) | |||||||||||
Investment income (loss) unconsolidated affiliates |
170 | (1,214 | ) | | | (1,044 | ) | |||||||||||||
Investment income (loss) consolidated affiliates |
7,748 | | | (7,748 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other, net |
1,292 | 3 | 473 | (473 | ) | 1,295 | ||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
1,338 | (1,212 | ) | (63 | ) | (8,221 | ) | (8,158 | ) | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
970 | 25,583 | (780 | ) | (7,748 | ) | 18,025 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(2,697 | ) | 9,277 | | | 6,580 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
3,667 | 16,306 | (780 | ) | (7,748 | ) | 11,445 | |||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations |
| 301 | | | 301 | |||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
| | (8,079 | ) | | (8,079 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
3,667 | 16,607 | (8,859 | ) | (7,748 | ) | 3,667 | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (net of tax) |
1,270 | 1,397 | | | 2,667 | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 4,937 | $ | 18,004 | $ | (8,859 | ) | $ | (7,748 | ) | $ | 6,334 | ||||||||
15
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Nine months Ended September 28, 2003
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Eliminations |
Media General Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 120,409 | $ | 699,873 | $ | | $ | (208,392 | ) | $ | 611,890 | |||||||||
Operating costs: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Production |
| 267,007 | | | 267,007 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
119,708 | 307,178 | | (208,865 | ) | 218,021 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,863 | 46,396 | 717 | | 49,976 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating costs |
122,571 | 620,581 | 717 | (208,865 | ) | 535,004 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,162 | ) | 79,292 | (717 | ) | 473 | 76,886 | |||||||||||||
Operating income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(25,721 | ) | (5 | ) | (536 | ) | | (26,262 | ) | |||||||||||
Investment income (loss) unconsolidated affiliates |
346 | (4,898 | ) | | | (4,552 | ) | |||||||||||||
Investment income (loss) consolidated affiliates |
42,719 | | | (42,719 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other, net |
3,950 | 5,580 | 473 | (473 | ) | 9,530 | ||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
21,294 | 677 | (63 | ) | (43,192 | ) | (21,284 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
19,132 | 79,969 | (780 | ) | (42,719 | ) | 55,602 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9,051 | ) | 29,348 | | | 20,297 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
28,183 | 50,621 | (780 | ) | (42,719 | ) | 35,305 | |||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations |
| 957 | | | 957 | |||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
| | (8,079 | ) | | (8,079 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
28,183 | 51,578 | (8,859 | ) | (42,719 | ) | 28,183 | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax) |
3,273 | (1,691 | ) | | | 1,582 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 31,456 | $ | 49,887 | $ | (8,859 | ) | $ | (42,719 | ) | $ | 29,765 | ||||||||
16
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 26, 2004
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Media General Consolidated |
|||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 51,850 | $ | 27,738 | $ | 137 | $ | 79,725 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(2,245 | ) | (27,260 | ) | | (29,505 | ) | |||||||||
Purchases of Investment |
| (2,147 | ) | | (2,147 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
29 | 1,355 | | 1,384 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(2,216 | ) | (28,052 | ) | | (30,268 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Increase in debt |
244,500 | | | 244,500 | ||||||||||||
Repayment of debt |
(291,015 | ) | | | (291,015 | ) | ||||||||||
Cash dividends paid |
(14,208 | ) | | | (14,208 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
9,978 | | (137 | ) | 9,841 | |||||||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(50,745 | ) | | (137 | ) | (50,882 | ) | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,111 | ) | (314 | ) | | (1,425 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
7,343 | 3,232 | | 10,575 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 6,232 | $ | 2,918 | $ | | $ | 9,150 | ||||||||
17
Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Nine months Ended September 28, 2003
(In thousands)
Media General Corporate |
Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries |
Media General Consolidated |
|||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 71,473 | $ | 8,033 | $ | 54 | $ | 79,560 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(1,898 | ) | (20,852 | ) | (11 | ) | (22,761 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of investment |
| 16,840 | | 16,840 | ||||||||||||
Contribution to unconsolidated affiliate |
| (2,000 | ) | | (2,000 | ) | ||||||||||
Other investments |
| (3,185 | ) | | (3,185 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
16 | 10 | | 26 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(1,882 | ) | (9,187 | ) | (11 | ) | (11,080 | ) | ||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Increase in debt |
216,000 | | | 216,000 | ||||||||||||
Repayment of debt |
(277,464 | ) | | | (277,464 | ) | ||||||||||
Cash dividends paid |
(13,328 | ) | | | (13,328 | ) | ||||||||||
Other, net |
3,369 | | (43 | ) | 3,326 | |||||||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(71,423 | ) | | (43 | ) | (71,466 | ) | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,832 | ) | (1,154 | ) | | (2,986 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
6,932 | 4,347 | | 11,279 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 5,100 | $ | 3,193 | $ | | $ | 8,293 | ||||||||
18
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
Media General is an independent, publicly owned communications company situated primarily in the Southeast with interests in newspapers, television stations and interactive media.
The Companys fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Third quarter and year-to-date comparative results were impacted by several prior-year items including the July 2003 adoption of FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and the Companys 2003 fourth quarter sale of Media General Financial Services, Inc. (MGFS) which led to that units results being shown as income from discontinued operations. Year-to-date results in 2003 were also influenced by a first quarter after-tax gain of $3.7 million ($0.16 per diluted share) attributable to the Companys sale of its Hoovers stock to Dun & Bradstreet.
Income from continuing operations in 2004 before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle increased $4.3 million (37%) over last years equivalent quarter. The Companys improved performance was primarily attributable to a 32% increase in Broadcast segment operating profit, as Political revenues flourished in this election year and advertising revenues were bolstered by the Summer Olympics. The Publishing Division also contributed nicely to the improved results as operating profits rose 5.2%, led by growth in Classified advertising. The Companys share of SP Newsprints (SPNC) results in the quarter was income of $.3 million (a $1.5 million improvement from the prior year) and represented SPNCs first profitable quarter since late 2001. This milestone at SPNC was achieved as the result of a rise in newsprint selling price over the prior-years equivalent quarter, partially offset by lower sales volume. Lower interest expense also contributed to the quarters favorable results due to a decreased average debt level.
An $11.7 million (37%) increase in income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle adjusted for the Hoovers gain in the first nine months of this year was the result of a combination of the same factors which positively impacted the third quarter. The improvement was largely spurred by a 10.5% increase in segment operating profits, a significantly reduced year-over-year loss at SPNC, and an 11.8% decrease in interest expense. Broadcast Division segment profits represented a 33% improvement over the prior year as revenues continued to prosper on particularly robust Political advertising. In the Publishing Division, segment profits were up 5% as Classified advertising revenues remained strong. SPNCs significantly improved performance (from a loss of $4.9 million in the prior year to just shy of break-even in the current year) was principally attributable to higher newsprint prices. Taken as a whole, the Companys improved year-to-date performance was dampened by several factors, including: increased amortization due to the re-institution of amortization of network affiliation intangibles and the inclusion of expenses associated with the Companys Variable Interest Entities (VIE) in 2004 (which only began in the third quarter of 2003 when FASB Interpretation 46 was adopted by the Company).
PUBLISHING
Operating income for the Publishing Division increased $1.5 million and $4.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of the year over the comparable 2003 periods. Third quarter results reflected solid advertising revenue growth in all categories with the exception of National; this marked the Divisions eighth consecutive quarter of revenue improvement over the prior year in period-over-
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period comparisons. This improvement was achieved despite this years onslaught of hurricanes which relentlessly struck Florida and Alabama, resulting in both reduced revenues and increased news coverage expenses. The solid year-to-date results were realized on the strength of Classified ad revenues which contributed nearly two-thirds of the Divisions overall revenue growth. As illustrated by the following chart, Classified revenues remained the Divisions stellar performer in both the quarter and year to date and continued to fuel the Divisions sustained success on the strength of robust employment advertising. Preprints were up slightly, while National revenues experienced softness (primarily in the travel and electronics categories). Preprints continued to benefit from volume gains as certain advertisers migrated from Retail. Consequently, Retail advertising fell approximately 1% in the first nine months of the year; however, the third quarter showed signs of stabilization as retail ad revenues rose modestly over the equivalent prior-year quarter.
Publishing Segment operating expenses increased $3.9 million and $12.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of this year over the equivalent 2003 periods due to a combination of factors. Newsprint expense was up $1.3 million in the quarter and $4.1 million in the year to date as prices continued the ascent which began in August of 2002. In the quarter, a $37 per ton rise in average price led to a $1.2 million cost increase; the balance was attributable to additional consumption (due to higher advertising linage and circulation). In the year to date, a $40 per ton rise in average price accounted for the majority of the higher newsprint expense. Employee compensation and benefit costs were up $.5 million (1%) in the quarter and $3.6 million (2.4%) in the year to date due to annual salary increases and higher retirement plan expenses, partially offset by lower group health care costs. Additionally, certain departmental operating costs at the Florida properties rose approximately 10% in the quarter and nine months, the result of higher circulation expenses (due primarily to increased sales expense and subscriber discounts), increased facility costs (attributable predominantly to repair and maintenance costs), and additional expenses incurred as a result of the hurricanes.
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BROADCAST
Compared to the same prior-year periods, Broadcast operating income jumped $4.8 million (32%) and $14.5 million (33%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, due to a nearly 10% rise in revenues in those same periods. This improved performance was achieved despite a series of hurricanes, some of which threatened to hit and some of which actually made landfall, in Florida and Alabama throughout August and September. The following chart illustrates gains posted in all advertising categories over the prior-year equivalent periods, and includes the benefit of the Summer Olympics advertising. Political advertising was three and one-half times the level of last years third quarter and more than four and one-half times the level of last years first nine months due to intense congressional and presidential campaign spending. Local advertising was up approximately 3.3% in the quarter (on the strength of the services and furniture categories) and 6.5% in the year-to-date period (driven by the automotive and services categories), reflecting the results of continued aggressive sales initiatives and new selling tools employed to boost advertising by local customers. National advertising rose by approximately 3% in both the quarter and the year-to-date period (led by the automotive and service categories).
The Broadcast Divisions revenue growth rate continued to exceed that of the industry for the first eight months of the year. According to the Television Bureau of Advertising (a not-for-profit trade association of Americas broadcast television industry), time sales across the broadcast industry increased 9.6% through August 2004 compared to the Divisions 12% improvement. Assigning actual Political revenues to either the Local or National categories, as does the industry survey, National and Local advertising growth for the Company was 16.3% and 9.4%, respectively, well above the industrys growth of 11.1% and 8.6%.
Broadcast operating expenses rose $1.6 million and $5.9 million in the third quarter and the first nine months of this year as compared to the equivalent 2003 periods. The primary factor driving
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these increases was higher employee compensation and benefit costs which rose 6.1% in the quarter and 6.4% in the year to date due to merit pay raises, increased sales commissions as a result of revenue growth, and higher retirement plan expenses, partially offset by lower group health care costs in the quarter. Increased programming expenses, including higher Nielsen rating fees, as well as costs associated with the hurricanes also impacted Broadcast operating expenses in the quarter and year to date.
INTERACTIVE MEDIA
In the first quarter of 2003, the Company sold its share of Hoovers, Inc., for $16.8 million to Dun & Bradstreet, producing a pre-tax gain of $5.7 million. Excluding this gain, Interactive Media results improved $.2 million and $.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, the result of reduced operating losses from the prior-years equivalent periods. Revenues increased 35% and 43% in the third quarter and year-to-date period, while expenses rose $.7 million and $2.5 million, resulting primarily from higher compensation and employee benefits expense as positions were filled to sustain the Divisions continued growth. The significant increases in the Divisions revenues were driven by vigorous Classified advertising (up 44% in the quarter and 50% in the year to date) as up-sell arrangements continued to thrive across the Division. Under these up-sell arrangements, customers pay an additional fee to have their classified advertisement placed online coincident with its publication in the newspaper. At the Companys three metropolitan newspapers, approximately 80% to 90% of advertisers who placed classified ads in print during the quarter also chose to display their ads online. The strong sell-through rate is a key indicator of the value that consumers ascribe to online advertising.
The Interactive Media Division has continued to grow and expand its operations since the Divisions inception in January of 2001. This Division remains focused on developing new products, securing and retaining high-quality personnel, invigorating revenues through sales initiatives and enhancing content and design across all the Companys online enterprises.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense decreased $.8 million and $3.1 million in the quarter and year to date from the equivalent year-ago periods. In the quarter, lower interest expense was achieved as the result of a $103 million decrease in average debt outstanding, partially offset by a 34 basis point rise in the Companys effective interest rate due to an increase in LIBOR (upon which interest on borrowings under the Companys revolving credit facility is based). Interest expense in the first nine months of this year was $3.1 million lower due to a 45 basis point decrease (primarily due to a change in the mix of the Companys borrowings) as well as to a $25 million decline in average debt outstanding this year.
The Company uses interest rate swaps (where it pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate) as part of an overall strategy to manage the interest cost and risk associated with variable interest rates, primarily short-term changes in LIBOR. It does not initiate such instruments for trading purposes. Toward the end of the first quarter of 2003, four of the Companys swaps with notional amounts totaling $275 million matured; concurrently, four swaps with notional amounts totaling $200 million became effective. Toward the end of the first quarter of 2004, two of these swaps with notional amounts totaling $100 million matured, leaving two remaining swaps with notional amounts of $50 million each which mature in the first quarter of 2005. These interest rate swaps are cash flow hedges that effectively convert the covered portion of the Companys variable rate debt to fixed rate debt with a weighted average interest rate approximating 4.6%.
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INCOME TAXES
The Companys effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 37% in the current quarterly and year-to-date periods as compared to 36.5% in the equivalent prior-year periods. The Company has begun a preliminary analysis of the American Jobs Creation Act that was recently passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President in October of this year. The Act provides a deduction that has the effect of reducing the Companys tax rate and will be phased in over the next five years. The Company currently estimates the 2005 impact of the Act to be a reduction in its effective tax rate of one-half to one percentage point.
LIQUIDITY
Before recognizing the current-year $35 million contribution to the Companys retirement plan ($21 million contributed in 2003), net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2004 was $114.7 million, 14% above the prior-years equivalent amount. Cash generated by operating activities enabled the Company to fund capital expenditures of $29.5 million, to pay dividends to stockholders of $14.2 million, to contribute $35 million to its retirement plan, and to reduce debt by $47 million.
Over the past four years, the Companys retirement plan, like many corporate pension plans, has moved from an overfunded position to an underfunded position. Despite the solid investment performance of the trusts assets during 2003, declines from 2000 to 2002 in the trusts assets and continuing reductions in the discount rates used to value the plans liabilities have created an underfunded trust. Although not required to do so, the Company elected to make contributions in 2003 and early 2004 with the immediate expectation of restoring the funding position and the longer-term intention of reducing the ultimate amount that it would need to contribute. The Company does not foresee making further elective contributions in the near term but continues to monitor changes in market values, rates of return, and discount rates, as well as to evaluate plan benefits and design.
The Company has in place a $1 billion revolving credit facility and a $1.2 billion universal shelf registration which allows for combined public debt or equity issuances (together the Facilities). At the end of the third quarter, there were borrowings of $275 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $199.9 million in senior notes outstanding under the universal shelf. The Facilities carry cross-default provisions between the revolving credit and the senior notes. The revolving credit agreement contains both interest coverage and leverage ratio covenants. These covenants, which involve debt levels, interest expense, and EBITDA (a measure of cash earnings as defined in the revolving credit agreement), can affect the Companys maximum borrowing capacity under the Facilities. A significant drop in the Companys EBITDA or a large increase in the Companys debt level could make it challenging to meet the leverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at quarter-end and expects to remain in compliance with them going forward. The Company believes that internally generated funds provided by operations, together with the unused portion of the Facilities, provide it with significant flexibility to manage working capital needs, pay dividends, finance capital expenditures, make pension contributions, and take advantage of new strategic opportunities.
OUTLOOK
Despite lost revenues and higher expenses as a result of an overactive hurricane season, the Company continues to capitalize on a strengthening economic recovery which began in late 2003. The Broadcast Division flourished in the first nine months of the year as advertising revenues, buoyed by
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Political spending and Summer Olympics advertising, rebounded strongly from their depressed prior-year levels. The Broadcast Division expects sustained success in the last quarter of 2004 as intense presidential, U.S. senate and state congressional races reach a heightened pitch prior to their conclusion. The Publishing Division anticipates that advertising revenues will continue to gain momentum throughout the remainder of the year, but expects operating results to be adversely impacted by the steady ascent of newsprint prices, which began in late 2002, and is projected to continue throughout 2004 and into 2005. However, by virtue of its investment in SP Newsprint, the Company is a net beneficiary of newsprint price increases because they should translate, as they did in the third quarter, into operating performance improvement for SPNC.
The Company continues to monitor developments surrounding the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) new rules which would allow cross-ownership of broadcast television stations and newspapers in all but the smallest markets. As a result of a court decision this summer, the new rules continue to be stayed, and the matter was remanded to the FCC. The Company intends to file a petition prior to the end of the year to bring these issues before the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the Company is proceeding with the regular renewal of its television licenses and is requesting waivers of the FCCs 1975 rule for several of its stations in cross-owned markets. The Company is optimistic that waivers will be granted in these markets. The Company remains open to future investments that would complement its strategic vision and foster its convergence efforts.
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Certain statements in this quarterly report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined by the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements related to the impact of new accounting standards, new tax laws, and political campaign advertising, as well as expectations regarding newsprint prices, pension contributions, litigation claims, general advertising levels, and the effects of changes to FCC regulations. Forward-looking statements, including those which use words such as the Company believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, intends, projects, plans, and similar words, are made as of the date of this filing and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.
Some significant factors that could affect actual results include: changes in advertising demand, the availability and pricing of newsprint, changes in interest rates, the outcome of litigation, the performance of pension plan assets, health care cost trends, and regulatory rulings and laws.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Companys management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Companys management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There have been no significant changes in the Companys internal controls or in other factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect internal control subsequent to the date of this evaluation.
For a complete discussion of the Companys dispute with Enron North America Corporation, see Note 9 of this Form 10-Q and Item 3 of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003.
31.1 | Section 302 Chief Executive Officer Certification | |
31.2 | Section 302 Chief Financial Officer Certification | |
32 | Section 906 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MEDIA GENERAL, INC. | ||
DATE: November 4, 2004 |
/s/ J. Stewart Bryan III | |
J. Stewart Bryan III | ||
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
DATE: November 4, 2004 |
/s/ Marshall N. Morton | |
Marshall N. Morton | ||
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer |
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