For the quarterly period ended: June 25, 2006
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: June 25, 2006

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)

916-321-1846

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has (1) 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 (check one):    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or 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 12-b of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: as of July 26, 2006, the registrant had shares of common stock as listed below outstanding:

Class A Common Stock        55,671,293

Class B Common Stock        26,177,397

 



Table of Contents

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

      Page
Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1 - Financial Statements (unaudited):

  

Consolidated Balance Sheet – June 25, 2006 and December 25, 2005

   1

Consolidated Statement of Income for the Three and Six Months ended June 25, 2006 and June 26, 2005

   3

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Six Months ended June 25, 2006 and June 26, 2005

   4

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the period December 25, 2005 to June 25, 2006

   5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   14

Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   22

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

   22
Part II - OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

   23

Item 1A - Risk Factors

   23

Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   24

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   25

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   25

Item 5 - Other Information

   25

Item 6 - Exhibits

   25

Signatures

   26

Index of Exhibits

   27


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

     June 25,
2006
    December 25,
2005
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,899     $ 3,052  

Trade receivables (less allowance of $3,560 in 2006 and $3,032 in 2005)

     137,363       146,451  

Other receivables

     3,541       4,587  

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

     20,668       20,371  

Deferred income taxes

     19,345       18,358  

Prepaid income taxes

     180       10,520  

Other current assets

     10,321       9,557  
                
     197,317       212,896  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

    

Building and improvements

     238,785       238,208  

Equipment

     562,704       548,580  
                
     801,489       786,788  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (512,173 )     (493,889 )
                
     289,316       292,899  

Land

     53,534       53,525  

Construction in progress

     36,488       31,120  
                
     379,338       377,544  

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

    

Identifiable intangibles -net

     38,546       44,240  

Goodwill-net

     1,249,053       1,249,053  
                
     1,287,599       1,293,293  

PREPAID PENSION ASSETS

     204,536       174,845  

OTHER ASSETS

     40,936       27,909  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,109,726     $ 2,086,487  
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

     June 25,
2006
    December 25,
2005
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 29,362     $ 43,067  

Accrued compensation

     59,000       62,235  

Income taxes

     24,879       62  

Unearned revenue

     45,970       43,802  

Carrier deposits

     1,391       1,394  

Other accrued liabilities

     16,098       14,999  
                
     176,700       165,559  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     109,000       154,200  

OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

     49,227       48,554  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     147,294       152,583  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common stock $.01 par value:

    

Class A - authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 20,661,215 in 2006 and 20,526,126 in 2005

     207       205  

Class B - authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 26,177,397 in 2006 and 26,224,147 in 2005

     262       262  

Additional paid-in capital

     355,933       350,825  

Retained earnings

     1,272,932       1,217,927  

Deferred compensation

     —         (1,799 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,829 )     (1,829 )
                
     1,627,505       1,565,591  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,109,726     $ 2,086,487  
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    

June 25,

2006

   

June 26,

2005

   

June 25,

2006

   

June 26,

2005

 

REVENUES - NET:

        

Advertising

   $ 258,900     $ 255,550     $ 495,989     $ 489,448  

Circulation

     39,255       41,044       78,803       82,441  

Other

     6,079       6,162       11,446       11,794  
                                
     304,234       302,756       586,238       583,683  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Compensation

     122,685       119,648       249,730       241,766  

Newsprint and supplements

     39,653       39,140       77,884       75,583  

Depreciation and amortization

     13,639       16,389       29,656       32,739  

Other operating expenses

     53,990       52,335       107,078       102,849  
                                
     229,967       227,512       464,348       452,937  

OPERATING INCOME

     74,267       75,244       121,890       130,746  

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME:

        

Interest expense

     (1,638 )     (2,035 )     (3,738 )     (4,047 )

Partnership income

     516       35       931       141  

Other - net

     (38 )     78       (38 )     167  
                                
     (1,160 )     (1,922 )     (2,845 )     (3,739 )

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION

     73,107       73,322       119,045       127,007  

INCOME TAX PROVISION

     28,971       29,158       47,182       50,508  
                                

NET INCOME

   $ 44,136     $ 44,164     $ 71,863     $ 76,499  
                                

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:

        

Basic:

   $ 0.94     $ 0.95     $ 1.54     $ 1.64  

Diluted:

   $ 0.94     $ 0.94     $ 1.53     $ 1.63  

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES:

        

Basic

     46,771       46,629       46,753       46,585  

Diluted

     46,985       47,019       47,028       46,998  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended  
    

June 25,

2006

   

June 26,

2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 71,863     $ 76,499  

Reconciliation to net cash provided:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     29,656       32,739  

Contribution to pension plans

     (40,000 )     (40,000 )

Pension and postretirement expense

     13,640       9,937  

Stock compensation expense

     4,078       297  

Deferred income taxes

     (6,276 )     (4,522 )

Partnership income

     (931 )     (141 )

Other

     199       1,713  

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

    

Trade receivables

     9,088       5,615  

Inventories

     (297 )     (2,156 )

Other assets

     (1,475 )     5,318  

Accounts payable

     (15,816 )     (1,956 )

Accrued compensation

     (3,235 )     (8,027 )

Income taxes

     24,817       23,161  

Other liabilities

     591       (1,966 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     85,902       96,511  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (24,058 )     (21,844 )

Other - net

     214       353  
                

Net cash used by investing activities

     (23,844 )     (21,491 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net repayments of commercial paper

     (154,200 )     (70,600 )

Net proceeds from revolver debt

     109,000       —    

Payment of cash dividends

     (16,842 )     (12,096 )

Other - principally stock issuances

     2,831       6,475  
                

Net cash used by financing activities

     (59,211 )     (76,221 )
                

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     2,847       (1,201 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     3,052       4,857  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

   $ 5,899     $ 3,656  
                

OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Income taxes (net of refunds)

   $ 18,120     $ 23,170  

Interest (net of capitalized interest)

   $ 2,719     $ 3,525  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Par Value   

Additional
Paid-In

Capital

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Deferred

Compensation

   

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Loss

    Total  
     Class A    Class B           

BALANCES, DECEMBER 25, 2005

   $ 205    $ 262    $ 350,825     $ 1,217,927     $ (1,799 )   $ (1,829 )   $ 1,565,591  

Net income

             71,863           71,863  

Dividends declared ($.18 share)

             (16,858 )         (16,858 )

Issuance of 88,339 Class A shares under stock plans

     2         2,648             2,650  

Impact of SFAS 123R adoption

           (1,799 )       1,799         —    

Stock compensation expense

           4,078             4,078  

Tax benefit from stock plans

           181             181  
                                                      

BALANCES, JUNE 25, 2006

   $ 207    $ 262    $ 355,933     $ 1,272,932     $ —       $ (1,829 )   $ 1,627,505  
                                                      

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The McClatchy Company (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the publication of newspapers located in California, Minnesota, 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.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary (consisting of normal recurring items) to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The financial statements contained in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Revenue recognition - Advertising 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 risks - Financial 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 Company’s concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (based principally on the first-in, first-out method) or current market value.

Related party transactions - The 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 Company’s share of earnings of Ponderay is reflected in income as earned. 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 partnership’s debt is repaid. The Company satisfies this obligation by direct purchase (payments made in the first six months of fiscal 2006 and 2005: $8,815,926 and $7,964,000, respectively) or reallocation to other buyers.

 

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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, are amortized over four to forty years. Management periodically evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets by reviewing the current and projected cash flows of its newspaper operations.

Information regarding the Company’s identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

 

         June 25, 2006
    

Average

Useful Life

  Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net

Advertiser and subscriber lists

   23 Years (1)   $ 256,150    $ 222,383    $ 33,767

Other

   4 Years     15,886      11,107      4,779
                      

Identifiable intangible assets

     $ 272,036    $ 233,490    $ 38,546
                      
         December 25, 2005
    

Average

Useful Life

  Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net

Advertiser and subscriber lists

   16 Years (1)   $ 256,150    $ 217,009    $ 39,141

Other

   4 Years     15,886      10,787      5,099
                      

Identifiable intangible assets

     $ 272,036    $ 227,796    $ 44,240
                      

(1) The change in average useful life in the advertising and subscriber lists to 23 years from 16 years relates to a certain advertising list that was fully amortized at the end of the first fiscal quarter 2006.

 

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Amortization expense was $1,496,000 and $5,440,000 for the three months and six months ended, respectively, June 25, 2006 and was $4,471,000 and $8,959,000 for the three months and six months ended, respectively, June 26, 2005. The remaining amortization expense for fiscal 2006 and for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

  

Estimated

Amortization

Expense

2006 (remaining)

   $ 2,161

2007

     3,753

2008

     3,743

2009

     3,713

2010

     3,035

2011

     2,835

Stock-based compensation – The Company adopted SFAS 123R effective December 26, 2005, the first day of the 2006 fiscal year, using the modified prospective application. SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock and purchases under the employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. The modified prospective method requires that compensation expense be recorded at the beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS 123R for all unvested stock options and restricted stock based upon the previously disclosed SFAS 123 methodology and amounts. At June 25, 2006, the Company had six stock-based compensation plans. Total stock-based compensation expense was $4.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2006.

The Company has issued a total of 65,000 shares of restricted Class A common stock to its Chief Executive Officer: 40,000 shares on January 25, 2005, which vest on January 25, 2009, subject to certain performance criteria and 25,000 shares on January 24, 2006, which vest over four annual installments, subject to certain performance criteria beginning January 24, 2007. At this time, the Company expects such performance criteria to be met, and is expensing the related compensation over a four-year period.

 

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During the first three and six months of fiscal 2005, if compensation costs for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans had been determined based upon the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with SFAS 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

    

Three Months

Ended

June 26,

2005

   

Six Months

Ended

June 26,
2005

 

Net Income:

    

As reported:

   $ 44,164     $ 76,499  

Add stock-based compensation included in net income, net of income taxes

     106       179  

Deduct stock-based compensation under fair-value method for all awards, net of income taxes

     (1,100 )     (2,530 )
                

Pro forma

   $ 43,170       74,148  
                

Earnings per common share:

    

As reported:

    

Basic

   $ 0.95     $ 1.64  

Diluted

   $ 0.94     $ 1.63  

Pro forma:

    

Basic

   $ 0.93     $ 1.59  

Diluted

   $ 0.92     $ 1.58  

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities reported for financial and income tax reporting purposes.

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 net of tax effects. There was no activity in other comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended June 25, 2006.

Segment reporting - The Company’s primary business is the publication of newspapers. The Company aggregates its newspapers into a single 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 2,112,561 for the first six months of fiscal 2006 and 2,593 for the first six months of fiscal 2005.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements - In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes–an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the Interpretation on its financial statements.

NOTE 2. ACQUISITION OF KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC. (“KNIGHT RIDDER”)

On June 27, 2006, (the second day of the Company’s fiscal third quarter), the Company completed the purchase of Knight Ridder pursuant to a definitive merger agreement entered into on March 12, 2006, under which the Company paid Knight Ridder shareholders a per share price consisting of $40.00 in cash and a fixed fraction of .5118 of a Class A McClatchy share. The Company issued approximately 35.0 million Class A common stock shares in connection with the acquisition. The purchase price was approximately $4.6 billion based upon the Company’s average stock price around the time of the transaction announcement. In addition, the Company assumed $2.0 billion in debt at closing.

Knight Ridder published 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a circulation total of 3.4 million daily and 4.5 million Sunday, operated websites in all of its markets and owned a variety of investments which consist of: Internet investments: one-third of CareerBuilder and Shoplocal, 25% of Topix.net, 21.5% of Classified Ventures, 31% of CityXpress and 19% of Tribe; Newsprint investments: one-third interest in SP Newsprint Company and a 13.5% interest in the Ponderay Newsprint Company; and other investments: 28.9% of Newspapers First and 49.5% of the Seattle Times Company (The Seattle Times Company owns The Seattle Times newspaper and weekly newspapers in Puget Sound, and daily newspapers located in Walla Walla and Yakima, Washington and in Portland, Maine). Knight Ridder was the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional websites operating in more than 110 U.S. markets.

In conjunction with the transaction, the Company announced its intention to divest 12 Knight Ridder newspapers, mainly located in cities that do not fit the Company’s longstanding acquisition criteria, chiefly involving growing markets. The largest are the Philadelphia Inquirer and San Jose Mercury News. Others include Knight Ridder’s other Philadelphia paper, the Daily News; Akron Beacon Journal (OH); Wilkes Barre Times Leader (PA); Aberdeen American News (SD); Grand Forks Herald (ND); Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel (IN); Contra Costa Times (CA); Monterey Herald (CA); and Duluth News Tribune (MN). The St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) is to be sold due to antitrust concerns involving McClatchy’s ownership of the Star Tribune (MN).

Four of the divestitures were completed on June 27, 2006 and the Company completed the sale of the two Philadelphia newspapers on June 29, 2006. Six other newspapers sales are pending: the Akron Beacon Journal (OH) and Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (PA) are expected to be completed in late July or early August; and a four-paper sale to MediaNews Group and Hearst Corp., involving the San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times and Monterey Herald in California and the St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), is being reviewed by the United States

 

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Department of Justice. McClatchy is responding actively to assist that inquiry and is working to close the MediaNews/Hearst transaction as quickly as possible. Net proceeds from the divestitures will be used to reduce debt.

On June 27, 2006, McClatchy borrowed $3.076 billion under a new $3.2 billion senior unsecured bank debt facility (see discussion below), and used the proceeds from the sales of four Knight Ridder newspapers ($255.6 million) in order to pay Knight Ridder shareholders ($2.7 billion) and refinance its and Knight Ridder’s bank debt ($492.0 million). Total debt on the closing date was $4.676 billion, including $1.6 billion in publicly traded bonds assumed in the transaction.

The Company’s new bank debt was underwritten and subsequently syndicated by Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The facility consists of a $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility and $2.2 billion five-year Term A loan. Both the Term A loan and the revolver are due at the end of the five-year period with no required amortization during the term. Standard and Poor’s has rated the facilities “BBB” and Moody’s has rated the facility “Ba1.” Under the structure of the facilities, the Company will pay interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 75.0 basis points on outstanding debt.

NOTE 3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans (retirement plans) that cover a majority of its employees. Benefits are based on age, 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 early 2006 and does not currently anticipate any additional contributions in the remainder of 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.

The elements of pension costs are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    

June 25,

2006

    June 26,
2005
   

June 25,

2006

    June 26,
2005
 

Service cost

   $ 5,697     $ 5,295     $ 11,752     $ 10,317  

Interest cost

     9,334       9,111       18,719       17,719  

Expected return on plan assets

     (12,510 )     (12,458 )     (25,602 )     (24,032 )

Prior service cost amortization

     117       84       232       249  

Actuarial loss

     3,724       2,496       7,262       4,611  
                                

Net pension expense

   $ 6,362     $ 4,528     $ 12,363     $ 8,864  
                                

 

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The Company also provides or subsidizes certain retiree health care and life insurance benefits with two plans, one for employees of McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. and one for employees of The Star Tribune Company. The elements of post-retirement expenses are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    

June 25,

2006

    June 26,
2005
    June 25,
2006
   

June 26,

2005

 

Service cost

   $ 378     $ 271     $ 697     $ 584  

Interest cost

     328       215       616       612  

Prior service cost amortization

     (157 )     (291 )     (314 )     (320 )

Actuarial loss

     172       32       278       197  
                                

Net post-retirement expense

   $ 721     $ 227     $ 1,277     $ 1,073  
                                

NOTE 4. COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS

The Company’s 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.

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.

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 shareholder’s 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.

 

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Outstanding options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) are summarized as follows:

 

    

Options/

SARs

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

Outstanding December 25, 2005

   3,248,700     $ 55.60

Granted

   42,000     $ 47.80

Exercised

   (29,875 )   $ 37.29

Forfeited

   (43,250 )   $ 63.00

Options outstanding June 25, 2006

   3,217,575     $ 55.58
            

Options exercisable June 25, 2006

   1,912,325     $ 50.15
            

The following table summarizes information about stock options and SARs outstanding in the stock plans at June 25, 2006:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

  

Options/

SARs

Outstanding

  

Weighted

Remaining

Contractual

Life

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Options/

SARs

Exercisable

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

$ 25.10 - $ 45.98

   1,085,450    4.22    $ 40.40    1,085,450    $ 40.40

$ 47.22 - $ 60.35

   1,102,500    8.00    $ 57.87    421,250    $ 57.55

$ 62.50 - $ 73.36

   1,029,625    7.95    $ 69.13    405,625    $ 68.53
                    
   3,217,575    6.71       1,912,325   
                    

The fair value of the stock options and SARs granted was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected life of the options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life for shares granted in fiscal 2006, and for a one-year look back period for shares granted prior to fiscal 2006, ending on the day of grant. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

     Six Months Ended  
     June 25,
2006
   

June 26,

2005

 

Dividend yield

     1.57       1.08  

Expected life in years

     5.27       5.03  

Volatility

     .19       .14  

Risk-free interest rate

     5.00 %     3.78 %

Weighted average fair value of options/SARs granted

   $ 11.01     $ 12.57  

The Company also offers eligible employees the option to purchase common stock under its employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). The expense associated with the plan is computed using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with similar assumptions to those described for stock options, except that volatility is computed using a one-year look back given the short-term nature of this option. Expense associated with the ESPP is generally less than $175,000 per fiscal quarter.

 

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Item 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

As of June 25, 2006 the Company owned and published 28 newspapers in four regions of the country – California, Minnesota, the Carolinas and the Northwest (Alaska and Washington). The Company’s 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 Company’s primary source of revenue is advertising, which accounts for roughly 85% of the Company’s 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 Company’s 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 Company’s advertising revenues. Circulation revenues contribute roughly 15% of the Company’s 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 Company’s revenue performance and contribution by categories for the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, and first half of fiscal 2006 and 2005.

Recent Trends and Events

Acquisition of Knight-Ridder, Inc. (“Knight Ridder”)

On June 27, 2006, (the second day of the Company’s fiscal third quarter), the Company completed the purchase of Knight Ridder pursuant to a definitive merger agreement entered into on March 12, 2006, under which the Company paid Knight Ridder shareholders a per share price consisting of $40.00 in cash and a fixed fraction of .5118 of a Class A McClatchy share. The Company issued approximately 35.0 million Class A common stock shares in connection with the acquisition. The purchase price was approximately $4.6 billion based upon the Company’s average stock price around the time of the transaction announcement. In addition, the Company assumed $2.0 billion in debt at closing.

Knight Ridder published 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a circulation total of 3.4 million daily and 4.5 million Sunday, operated websites in all of its markets and owned a variety of investments which consists of: Internet investments: one-third of CareerBuilder and

 

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Shoplocal, 25% of Topix.net, 21.5% of Classified Ventures, 31% of CityXpress and 19% of Tribe; Newsprint investments: one-third interest in SP Newsprint Company and a 13.5% interest in the Ponderay Newsprint Company; and other investments: 28.9% of Newspapers First and 49.5% of the Seattle Times Company (The Seattle Times Company owns The Seattle Times newspaper and weekly newspapers in Puget Sound, and daily newspapers located in Walla Walla and Yakima, Washington and in Portland, Maine). Knight Ridder was the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional websites operating in more than 110 U.S. markets.

In conjunction with the transaction, the Company announced its intention to divest 12 Knight Ridder newspapers, mainly located in cities that do not fit the Company’s longstanding acquisition criteria, chiefly involving growing markets. The largest are the Philadelphia Inquirer and San Jose Mercury News. Others include Knight Ridder’s other Philadelphia paper, the Daily News; Akron Beacon Journal (OH); Wilkes Barre Times Leader (PA); Aberdeen American News (SD); Grand Forks Herald (ND); Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel (IN); Contra Costa Times (CA); Monterey Herald (CA); and Duluth News Tribune (MN). The St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) is to be sold due to antitrust concerns involving McClatchy’s ownership of the Star Tribune (MN).

Four of the divestitures were completed on June 27, 2006 and the Company completed the sale of the two Philadelphia newspapers on June 29, 2006. Six other newspapers sales are pending: the Akron Beacon Journal (OH) and Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (PA) are expected to be completed in late July or early August; and a four-paper sale to MediaNews Group and Hearst Corp., involving the San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times and Monterey Herald in California and the St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), is being reviewed by the United States Department of Justice. McClatchy is responding actively to assist that inquiry and is working to close the MediaNews/Hearst transaction as quickly as possible. Net proceeds from the divestitures will be used to reduce debt.

Upon completion of the remaining divestitures, McClatchy will operate 32 daily newspapers and approximately 50 non-dailies. Papers added through this transaction include, among others, the Miami Herald, Kansas City Star, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Charlotte Observer. They will join McClatchy’s 12 papers serving cities including Minneapolis, MN; Sacramento, CA; and Raleigh, NC. In addition, McClatchy combined with Knight Ridder has an expanded network of valuable internet assets, including leading local websites in each of its daily newspaper markets, offering readers information, comprehensive news, advertising, e-commerce and other services. The Company also owns and operates McClatchy Interactive, an interactive operation that provides websites with content, publishing tools and software development and Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional websites operating in more than 110 U.S. markets.

On June 27, 2006, McClatchy borrowed $3.076 billion under a new $3.2 billion senior unsecured bank debt facility (see discussion below), and used the proceeds from the sales of four Knight Ridder newspapers ($255.6 million) in order to pay Knight Ridder shareholders ($2.7 billion) and refinance its and Knight Ridder’s bank debt ($492.0 million). Total debt on the closing date was $4.676 billion, including $1.6 billion in publicly traded bonds assumed in the transaction.

The Company’s new bank debt was underwritten and subsequently syndicated by Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The facility consists of a $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility and a $2.2 billion five-year Term A loan. Both the Term A loan and the revolver are due at the end of the five-year period with no required amortization during the term.

 

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Table of Contents

Standard and Poor’s has rated the facilities “BBB” and Moody’s has rated the facility “Ba1.” Under the structure of the facilities, the Company will pay interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 75.0 basis points on outstanding debt.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes–an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the Interpretation on its financial statements.

Operating Expenses:

The Company implemented Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R), in the first quarter of 2006. As a result, the first half of fiscal 2006 earnings includes $4.1 million of stock-based compensation expense, or five cents per share.

The Company incurred three newsprint price increases in fiscal 2005, and one newsprint price increase during the first half of fiscal 2006. Through the second fiscal quarter of 2006, newsprint prices were 12.5% higher than in the second fiscal quarter of 2005. Newsprint pricing is dependent on global demand and supply for newsprint. Given the effect of the Knight Ridder acquisition and all other things being equal, a hypothetical $10 per metric ton change in newsprint prices affects earnings per share by four cents annually. The impact of newsprint price increases on the Company’s expenses is discussed under “Results of Operations”.

The Company’s medical and fringe benefit costs increased 8.3% over the first six months of fiscal 2005 due primarily to higher retirement expenses. With regard to the Company’s retirement expenses, historically low long-term interest rates caused the Company to use a 5.5% discount rate to calculate its pension and post-retirement expenses in fiscal 2006 compared to a 6.0% rate used in fiscal 2005. The lower discount rate has contributed to the increase in the Company’s pension and post-retirement expense in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005. The Company contributed $40.0 million to its pension plans in first fiscal quarter of 2006, and expects earnings on this contribution to partially offset pension and post-retirement expenses.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Second Fiscal Quarter of 2006 Compared to Second Fiscal Quarter of 2005

The Company reported net income of $44.1 million or $.94 per share for the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to $44.2 million or $.94 per share in the second fiscal quarter of 2005.

Revenues:

Revenues in the second fiscal quarter of 2006 were $304.2 million, up 0.5% from revenues in the second fiscal quarter of 2005. Advertising revenues were up 1.3% to $258.9 million and circulation revenues were down 4.4% to $39.3 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to the second fiscal quarter of 2005.

 

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The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues by category for the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to the second fiscal quarter of 2005 (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended   

%
Change

 
     June 25,
2006
   June 26,
2005
  

Advertising:

        

Retail

   $ 107,907    $ 105,023    2.7  

National

     23,436      24,277    (3.5 )

Classified:

        

Automotive

     24,302      29,883    (18.7 )

Employment

     38,038      38,751    (1.8 )

Real estate

     37,646      31,408    19.9  

Other

     9,761      10,990    (11.2 )
                

Total classified

     109,747      111,032    (1.2 )

Direct marketing and other

     17,810      15,218    17.0  
                

Total advertising

     258,900      255,550    1.3  

Circulation

     39,255      41,044    (4.4 )

Other

     6,079      6,162    (1.3 )
                

Total Revenues

   $ 304,234    $ 302,756    0.5  
                

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 second fiscal quarter of 2006 revenues at its newspapers’ operations by region with quarter-over-quarter changes (in thousands):

 

     California     Minnesota     Carolinas     Northwest  
     Revenues    %
Change
    Revenues    %
Change
    Revenues    %
Change
    Revenues    %
Change
 

Revenues:

                    

Advertising

   $ 104,964    6.6     $ 75,217    (4.7 )   $ 42,067    1.1     $ 36,652    0.3  

Circulation

     11,753    (6.0 )     15,751    (4.7 )     5,767    (1.8 )     5,984    (2.6 )

Other

     1,330    (3.3 )     1,266    (18.7 )     1,334    (1.2 )     1,840    13.3  
                                    

Total

   $ 118,047    5.0     $ 92,234    (4.9 )   $ 49,168    0.8     $ 44,476    0.4  
                                    

Retail advertising increased 2.7% or $2.9 million from the second fiscal quarter 2005. Online advertising increased $2.1 million or 149.5%. In print, full-run ROP advertising decreased $0.6 million or 1.0%, while preprint advertising increased $1.4 million or 3.2%. Preprint and online advertising were up in all regions.

National advertising decreased $0.8 million or 3.5% from the second fiscal quarter 2005 due to declines totaling $2.3 million primarily in the automotive and airlines/transportation categories. These declines were partially offset by gains in the telecommunication category.

 

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Classified advertising decreased $1.3 million or 1.2% from the second fiscal quarter of 2005, largely due to declines in automotive advertising. Automotive advertising declined $5.6 million or 18.7% from the second fiscal quarter of 2005 and was down in all regions. The general decline in automotive advertising is a continuation of an industry-wide trend that began in 2004. Employment advertising decreased $0.7 million or 1.8% with declines in the Company’s three largest markets: Minneapolis, Sacramento and Raleigh. These declines were partially offset by increases in real estate advertising. Real estate advertising was up $6.2 million or 19.9% with gains in all regions except Minneapolis. Online classified advertising increased $1.8 million or 14.4%, with $1.1 million of the increase in the online employment category.

Online advertising, which is included in the advertising categories discussed above, totaled $18.1 million in the second quarter of 2006, an increase of $3.9 million, or 27.9% over the second fiscal quarter of 2005. This increase was attributable to a $2.1 million increase in online retail advertising and $1.8 million increase in online classified advertising as discussed above.

Direct marketing revenues increased $2.7 million or 18.4% over the second quarter of 2005, with much of the gain coming from California and Minnesota.

Consolidated circulation revenues declined $1.8 million or 4.4% from the second fiscal quarter of 2005, primarily reflecting lower circulation volumes, sales mix and promotional programs at certain newspapers.

Operating Expenses:

Operating expenses increased 1.1% in the second fiscal quarter of 2006, including $1.8 million in stock compensation expense. Compensation costs were up 2.5%, (1.2% excluding stock compensation expense), with salaries up 0.9%, reflecting merit increases, offset by a 3.7% reduction in head count; and fringe benefits up 8.6%, primarily reflecting higher retirement expenses. Newsprint and supplement expense was up 1.3% with newsprint expense up 2.8% and supplement expense down 7.4%. Newsprint prices were up 12.5% but were mostly offset by an 8.6% decline in consumption. Other operating costs were up 3.2% largely due to higher energy costs, solicitation, professional services, postage and bad debt expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 16.8%, largely reflecting the expiration of useful lives of certain intangible assets (see Note 1).

Non-Operating (Expenses) Income - Net

Interest expense was $1.6 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2006, down 19.5% from the second fiscal quarter of 2005. The decrease in interest expense is due primarily to debt repayment, which more than offset the impact of higher interest rates reflecting both a rising rate environment and the use of a revolving debt facility in 2006 versus a lower-cost commercial paper program in 2005.

The Company recorded $516,000 as its share of Ponderay’s income for the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to $35,000 of income in the second fiscal quarter of 2005.

Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 39.6% for the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to 39.8% in the second fiscal quarter of 2005.

 

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First Half of Fiscal 2006 Compared to First Half of Fiscal 2005

The Company reported net income of $71.8 million or $1.53 per share for the first half of fiscal 2006. Revenues and expenses in the six-month period were generally affected by the trends discussed in the quarterly comparison above, with exceptions noted below.

Revenues:

Revenues in the first half of fiscal 2006 were $586.2 million, up 0.4% from revenues in the first half of fiscal 2005. Advertising revenues were up 1.3% to $496.0 million and circulation revenues were down 4.4% to $78.8 million.

The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues by category for the first half of fiscal 2006 compared to the first half of fiscal 2005 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year to Date   

%
Change

 
     June 25,
2006
   June 26,
2005
  

Advertising:

        

Retail

   $ 201,382    $ 199,479    1.0  

National

     46,559      48,665    (4.3 )

Classified:

        

Automotive

     48,308      59,093    (18.3 )

Employment

     75,998      74,905    1.5  

Real estate

     71,920      58,378    23.2  

Other

     19,430      20,720    (6.2 )
                

Total classified

     215,656      213,096    1.2  

Direct marketing and other

     32,392      28,208    14.8  
                

Total advertising

     495,989      489,448    1.3  

Circulation

     78,803      82,441    (4.4 )

Other

     11,446      11,794    (3.0 )
                

Total Revenues

   $ 586,238    $ 583,683    0.4  
                

While the Company reviews and evaluates the operations of each individual newspaper, for purposes of organization and ease of understanding, the following table summarizes revenues for the first half of fiscal 2006 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

   $ 201,184    6.3     $ 145,973    (3.5 )   $ 80,303    0.7     $ 68,529    (0.8 )

Circulation

     23,711    (6.2 )     31,536    (4.3 )     11,686    (2.2 )     11,870    (3.2 )

Other

     2,640    (2.8 )     2,268    (9.0 )     2,696    (1.3 )     3,220    (2.0 )
                                    

Total

   $ 227,535    4.7     $ 179,777    (3.7 )   $ 94,685    (0.3 )   $ 83,619    (1.2 )
                                    

 

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Retail advertising increased 1.0% or $1.9 million over the first half of fiscal 2005, and showed growth in all regions except the Northwest. Online advertising increased $3.5 million or 134.6%. Print ROP advertising decreased $3.6 million or 3.2%, while preprint advertising increased $2.0 million or 2.5%. Preprint and online advertising were up in all regions.

National advertising decreased $2.1 million or 4.3% over the fiscal half of fiscal 2005 due to declines in the airline/transportation, food and drug, banking and entertainment/movie categories totaling $5.1 million. These declines were partially offset by gains in the telecommunications and other categories.

Classified advertising increased $2.6 million or 1.2% over the first half of fiscal 2005. Employment advertising was up $1.1 million or 1.5% over the first half of fiscal year 2006 with gains in all regions except Minneapolis. Real estate advertising was up $13.5 million or 23.2% over the first half of fiscal 2005 with gains in all regions except the Northwest. These gains were partially offset by a $10.8 million decline in automotive advertising. Automotive advertising was down in all regions as discussed in the quarterly review above. Online classified advertising increased $4.2 million or 17.6%, with $2.6 million of the increase in the online employment category.

Online advertising, which is included in the advertising categories discussed above, totaled $34.4 million, an increase of $7.7 million, or 28.9% over the first half of fiscal 2005. This increase was attributable to a $3.5 million increase in online retail advertising and a $4.2 million increase in online classified advertising as discussed above.

Direct marketing revenues increased $4.3 million or 15.6% from the first half of fiscal 2005. Direct marketing revenues increased in all regions, but were particularly strong in California and Minneapolis.

Consolidated circulation revenues declined $3.6 million or 4.4% from the first half of fiscal 2005 primarily reflecting lower circulation volumes, sales mix and promotional programs at certain newspapers.

Operating Expenses:

Operating expenses increased 2.5% over the first half of fiscal 2005 including $4.1 million in stock related compensation. Compensation costs were up 3.3% (1.7% excluding stock related compensation), payroll costs rose 1.9% reflecting salary increases offset by a 2.5% reduction in head count. Fringe benefit costs were up 8.3% largely due to higher medical and retirement costs. Newsprint and supplement expense was up 3.0% with newsprint prices up 12.5% and newsprint consumption down 7.4%. Supplement costs were down 4.1%. Other operating expenses increased 4.1%, largely due to higher energy costs, solicitation, professional services and bad debt expenses. Depreciation and amortization decreased 9.4%, largely reflecting the expiration of useful lives of certain intangible assets.

Non-Operating (Expenses) Income - Net:

Interest expense was $3.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2006, down 7.6% from the first half of fiscal 2005, reflecting the same factors discussed in the quarterly comparisons.

 

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The Company recorded $931,000 as its share of Ponderay’s income for the first half of fiscal 2006 compared to $141,000 of income in the first half of fiscal 2005.

Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax was 39.6% for the first half of fiscal 2006 compared to 39.8% in the first half of fiscal 2006.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $5.9 million at June 25, 2006. The Company generated $85.9 million of cash from operating activities for the first half of fiscal 2006 after a voluntary contribution of $40 million to its pension plans in the first fiscal quarter of 2006 (discussed below). The largest investing uses of cash for the first half of fiscal 2006 were to purchase property, plant and equipment, while the financing use was to pay dividends and repay debt. Proceeds from issuing Class A stock under employee stock plans totaled $2.6 million.

During the first fiscal quarter of 2006, the Company made a voluntary contribution of $40 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 2006 resulting from pension expense and low interest rates, management considered the $40 million contribution to be prudent. 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 $24.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2006 for capital projects and equipment to improve productivity, keep pace with new technology and maintain existing operations. Capital expenditures for full year fiscal 2006 are estimated to be approximately $75 to $80 million including the recently acquired Knight Ridder operations. As of June 25, 2006, the Company has purchase obligations through 2008 totaling $40.6 million, primarily for capital expenditures.

Debt and Related Matters:

Through June 26, 2006 the Company used its senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which provided borrowings of up to $500 million. This credit agreement was refinanced with a new $3.2 billion senior unsecured credit facility (Credit Agreement) in connection with its acquisition of Knight Ridder. The Company’s new Credit Agreement consists of a $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility and $2.2 billion five-year Term A loan. Both the Term A loan and the revolver are due on June 27, 2011.

On June 27, 2006, McClatchy borrowed $3.076 billion under the Credit Agreement, and used the proceeds from the sale of four Knight Ridder newspapers to pay Knight Ridder shareholders and refinance its and Knight Ridder’s bank debt. Total debt on the closing date was $4.676 billion, including $1.6 billion in publicly traded bonds assumed in the transaction. The Company has subsequently repaid $574 million of its revolver, primarily from proceeds received in the sale of the two Philadelphia newspapers. Debt at July 26, 2006 was $4.1 billion, and $626.3 million was available under the Credit Agreement.

Debt under the Credit Agreement bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate

 

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(LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 37.5 basis points to 125.0 basis points. Applicable rates are based upon the Company’s ratings on its long-term debt from Moody’s Investor Services (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s. A commitment fee for the unused revolving credit ranges from 10.0 basis points to 20.0 basis points depending on the Company’s ratings. Standard and Poor’s has rated the facilities “BBB,” and Moody’s has rated the facility “Ba1.” Under the structure of the facilities, the Company will pay interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 75.0 basis points on outstanding debt and its commitment fees are currently at 15.0 basis points.

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) ranging from 5.50 to 1.00 on June 27, 2006 declining over time to 4.00 to 1.00 on December 28, 2008 and thereafter.

The Company currently has outstanding letters of credit totaling $71.9 million, including $64.1 million assumed in the Knight Ridder acquisition, securing estimated obligations stemming from workers’ compensation claims and other contingent claims.

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.

Contractual Obligations:

As of June 25, 2006, the Company has purchase obligations primarily related to capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment expiring at various dates through 2008, totaling approximately $40.6 million.

Significant changes in the Company’s contractual obligations since year-end 2005 include the payment of pension obligations for its qualified plans through the voluntary $40.0 million contribution and payments on purchase obligations throughout the year. Pension obligations for non-qualified plans were $26.8 million as of June 25, 2006; while the qualified plans have a $204.5 million balance in prepaid pension assets as of June 25, 2006.

Item 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Based upon the Company’s debt balance at July 26, 2006, and all other things being equal, a hypothetical 25 basis point change in LIBOR for a fiscal year would increase or decrease the Company’s annual net income by $3.5 million to $4.0 million.

See the discussion at “Recent Trends and Events – Operating Expenses” for the impact of market changes on the Company’s newsprint and pension costs.

Item 4 - 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 Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management,

 

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including the CEO and CFO, concluded at that time that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in reports it files or submits, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings - None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors That Could Affect Operating Results

Forward-Looking Information:

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s actual and expected financial performance and operations, and statements regarding the transactions between McClatchy and each of the buyers of Knight Ridder newspapers to be sold, including; the Akron Beacon Journal (OH) Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (PA), the San Jose Mercury News (CA), Contra Costa Times (CA), Monterey Herald (CA) and the St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) and the expected timetable for completing these transactions. 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,” “intends,” “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.

 

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Risks Associated With The Acquisition of Knight Ridder:

The acquisition of Knight Ridder could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition if we are not able to successfully integrate the acquired businesses or if expected benefits of the combination do not materialize.

We recently completed the acquisition of Knight Ridder, Inc. in a transaction valued at approximately $6.6 billion. This transaction diluted our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership. We entered into the merger with the expectation that the merger will result in benefits to us, including the realization of certain synergies. These benefits may not be fully realized, particularly if we fail to effectively manage the integration of Knight Ridder. As part of the merger, we intend to divest 12 Knight Ridder newspapers, and have disposed of six of them. We may not be able to complete the sales of the remaining six newspapers at the previously announced prices, at all, or in a timely manner, in which case some of the expected benefits of the merger may not be fully realized. If we fail to realize any of the anticipated benefits of the merger, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations following the merger.

Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, McClatchy will account for the merger using the purchase method of accounting. Under purchase accounting, McClatchy will record the market value of its Class A common stock issued in connection with the merger, cash paid to Knight Ridder shareholders and the amount of direct transaction costs as the cost of acquiring the business of Knight Ridder. McClatchy will allocate that cost to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including various identifiable intangible assets such as advertiser and subscriber lists and acquired technology, based on their respective fair values. As a result, purchase accounting treatment of the merger could decrease net income for McClatchy in the foreseeable future, which could have a material adverse effect on the market value of McClatchy Class A common stock following completion of the merger.

McClatchy estimates that it and Knight Ridder incurred direct transaction costs of approximately $100.5 million associated with the merger, a portion of which will be included as a part of the total purchase cost for accounting purposes. McClatchy believes the combined entity may incur charges to operations, which currently are not reasonably estimable, in the quarter in which the merger is completed or the following quarters, to reflect costs associated with integrating the two companies. There can be no assurance that the combined Company will not incur additional material charges in subsequent quarters to reflect additional costs associated with the merger. Further, the combined Company may incur expenses related to the divestitures of certain newspapers, which are not reasonably estimable.

McClatchy has incurred substantial bank debt and assumed $2.0 billion in Knight Ridder debt in connection with the acquisition. In addition, the Company issued 35.0 million of Class A Common Stock in connection with the transaction. As a result, net income and earnings per share will be reduced due to increased interest expense and a greater number of shares outstanding.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities And Use Of Proceeds

On September 25, 2005 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of its Class A common stock. In light of the acquisition of Knight Ridder (see Acquisition of Knight-Ridder, Inc. above), the Company does not expect to repurchase shares in the near term.

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None.

Item 4. Submission Of Matters To A Vote Of Security Holders:

The Company held its annual shareholders’ meeting on May 17, 2006 to vote on two proposals. Shareholders approved all of the proposals by voting as follows:

 

1.    Election of Directors of the Board   
          VOTES
          FOR    WITHHELD
        
   Class A Common Stock      
   Elizabeth Ballantine    16,974,009    98,349
   Leroy Barnes, Jr.    16,969,621    102,737
   S. Donley Ritchey    16,962,377    109,981
   Maggie Wilderotter    16,946,000    125,798
   Class B Common Stock      
   William K. Coblentz    25,867,897    -0-
   Molly Maloney Evangelisti    25,867,897    -0-
   Larry Jinks    25,867,897    -0-
   Joan F. Lane    25,867,897    -0-
   Brown McClatchy Maloney    25,867,897    -0-
   William B. McClatchy    25,867,897    -0-
   Kevin S. McClatchy    25,867,897    -0-
   Theodore Mitchell    25,867,897    -0-
   Gary B. Pruitt    25,867,897    -0-
   Frederick R. Ruiz    25,867,897    -0-

 

          FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN    BROKER
NON-VOTES

2.

   Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for 2006    27,555,100    9,365    10,667    0

Item 5. Other Information - None.

Item 6. Exhibits filed as part of this Report as listed in the Index of Exhibits, on page 27 hereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    The McClatchy Company
                  Registrant

July 27, 2006

   

/s/ Gary B. Pruitt

Date     Gary B. Pruitt
    Chief Executive Officer

July 27, 2006

   

/s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

Date     Patrick J. Talamantes
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit   

Description

2.1*    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 12, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder, Inc., included as Exhibit 2.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 12, 2006.
3.1    The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated June 26, 2006.
3.2*    The Company’s By-laws as amended as of June 22, 2006, included as Exhibit 3.2 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 28, 2006.
4.1*    Form of Physical Note for Commercial Paper Program included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s 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 June 27, 2006 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 JPMorgan Securities Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers.
10.3    Second Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder, Inc.
10.4    Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder, Inc.
**10.5*    The McClatchy Company Management by Objective Plan Description included as Exhibit 10.4 in the Company’s Report filed on Form 10-K for the Year ending December 31, 2000.
**10.6*    The Company’s Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2005.
**10.7*    Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s 2001 Form 10-K.
**10.8*    The Company’s Amended and Restated 1990 Directors’ Stock Option Plan dated February 1, 1998 included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s 1997 Form 10-K.

 

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**10.9*    Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q filed for the Quarter Ending on July 1, 2001.
**10.10*    Form of 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 16, 2004.
**10.11*    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2005.
**10.12*    The Company’s Amended and Restated Chief Executive Bonus Plan included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending June 29, 2003.
**10.13*    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary B. Pruitt dated October 22, 2003 included as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s 2003 Form 10-K.
10.14*    Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its officers and directors, included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2005.
21*    Subsidiaries of the Company included as Exhibit 21 to the Company’s report on Form 10Q for the quarter ending June 26, 2005.
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 Company’s executive officers and directors

 

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