þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Delaware | 38-3765318 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
|
P. O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas |
75222-4866 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Class | Outstanding at May 1, 2009 | |
Common Stock, $.01 par value | 20,535,031 |
* | Consisting of 18,091,249 shares of Series A Common Stock and 2,443,782 shares of Series B Common Stock. |
2
Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Net Operating Revenues |
||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 89,331 | $ | 124,423 | ||||
Circulation |
31,714 | 29,105 | ||||||
Other |
7,449 | 6,659 | ||||||
Total net operating revenues |
128,494 | 160,187 | ||||||
Operating Costs and Expenses |
||||||||
Salaries, wages and employee benefits |
62,894 | 74,265 | ||||||
Other production, distribution and operating costs |
55,866 | 60,966 | ||||||
Newsprint, ink and other supplies |
19,619 | 22,969 | ||||||
Goodwill impairment |
80,940 | | ||||||
Depreciation |
10,536 | 12,241 | ||||||
Amortization |
1,624 | 1,625 | ||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
231,479 | 172,066 | ||||||
Loss from operations |
(102,985 | ) | (11,879 | ) | ||||
Other Income and Expense |
||||||||
Interest expense |
(300 | ) | (3,066 | ) | ||||
Other income, net |
822 | 957 | ||||||
Total other income (expense) |
522 | (2,109 | ) | |||||
Loss before income taxes |
(102,463 | ) | (13,988 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
605 | (5,270 | ) | |||||
Net loss |
$ | (103,068 | ) | $ | (8,718 | ) | ||
Net loss per share: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ | (5.03 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
20,506 | 20,473 | ||||||
Dividends declared per share |
$ | | $ | 0.250 |
3
March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | December 31, | |||||||
In thousands, except share and per share amounts | (unaudited) | 2008 | ||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and temporary cash investments |
$ | 6,809 | $ | 9,934 | ||||
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $5,265 and $5,332
at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively) |
56,969 | 77,383 | ||||||
Inventories |
18,845 | 22,641 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
5,080 | 5,415 | ||||||
Prepaids and other current assets |
10,956 | 9,344 | ||||||
Total current assets |
98,659 | 124,717 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment at cost: |
||||||||
Land |
30,895 | 30,895 | ||||||
Buildings and improvements |
231,747 | 232,120 | ||||||
Publishing equipment |
355,739 | 358,413 | ||||||
Other |
148,685 | 150,065 | ||||||
Advance payments on property, plant and equipment |
8,421 | 9,358 | ||||||
Total property, plant and equipment |
775,487 | 780,851 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
521,687 | 517,107 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
253,800 | 263,744 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
32,302 | 33,927 | ||||||
Goodwill |
24,582 | 105,522 | ||||||
Investments |
21,534 | 23,016 | ||||||
Long-term deferred taxes |
10,064 | | ||||||
Other assets |
6,781 | 6,752 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 447,722 | $ | 557,678 | ||||
4
March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | December 31, | |||||||
In thousands, except share and per share amounts | (unaudited) | 2008 | ||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of notes payable |
$ | 12,650 | $ | 10,000 | ||||
Accounts payable |
19,666 | 32,950 | ||||||
Accrued compensation and benefits |
21,604 | 27,020 | ||||||
Accrued interest on notes payable |
43 | 11 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
19,849 | 18,826 | ||||||
Advance subscription payments |
27,060 | 26,335 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
100,872 | 115,142 | ||||||
Pension liabilities |
17,096 | 17,096 | ||||||
Other post employment benefits |
7,807 | 7,738 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
15,143 | 6,620 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
951 | 2,430 | ||||||
Commitments and contingent liabilities |
||||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000 shares;
none issued. |
| | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 125,000,000 shares |
||||||||
Series A: issued 18,091,249 shares at March 31, 2009 |
180 | 176 | ||||||
Series B: issued 2,443,782 shares at March 31, 2009 |
25 | 28 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
483,819 | 483,551 | ||||||
Retained deficit |
(178,171 | ) | (75,103 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders equity |
305,853 | 408,652 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 447,722 | $ | 557,678 | ||||
5
In thousands, except share amounts (unaudited) | Three months ended March 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Additional | Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Shares | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Retained | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A | Series B | Amount | Capital | Income | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 |
17,774,149 | 2,704,816 | $ | 204 | $ | 484,009 | $ | (458 | ) | $ | (75,103 | ) | $ | 408,652 | ||||||||||||||
Contribution to Belo Corp. |
| | | (322 | ) | | | (322 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| | | 591 | | | 591 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Series B to Series A |
261,034 | (261,034 | ) | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units |
56,066 | | 1 | (1 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | | | (103,068 | ) | (103,068 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2009 |
18,091,249 | 2,443,782 | $ | 205 | $ | 484,277 | $ | (458 | ) | $ | (178,171 | ) | $ | 305,853 | ||||||||||||||
6
Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
In thousands (unaudited) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Operations |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (103,068 | ) | $ | (8,718 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operations: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
12,160 | 13,866 | ||||||
Impairment on investment |
500 | | ||||||
Goodwill impairment |
80,940 | | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(73 | ) | | |||||
Employee retirement benefit expense (income) |
69 | (226 | ) | |||||
Share-based compensation |
(126 | ) | (586 | ) | ||||
Other non-cash items |
(60 | ) | 5,376 | |||||
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of the
Distribution: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
20,481 | 14,552 | ||||||
Inventories |
3,796 | (5,543 | ) | |||||
Prepaids and other current assets |
(1,612 | ) | (2,746 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
(790 | ) | (867 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable |
(13,284 | ) | 8,471 | |||||
Accrued compensation and benefits |
(5,540 | ) | (2,640 | ) | ||||
Accrued interest payable |
32 | | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
1,180 | (2,189 | ) | |||||
Advance subscription payments |
725 | 2,809 | ||||||
Net cash (used for) provided by operations |
(4,670 | ) | 21,559 | |||||
Investments |
||||||||
Capital expenditures, net |
(2,050 | ) | (1,915 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
945 | (1,132 | ) | |||||
Net cash used for investments |
(1,105 | ) | (3,047 | ) | ||||
Financing |
||||||||
Proceeds from credit facility |
2,650 | | ||||||
Proceeds from credit facility |
2,650 | | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and temporary cash investments |
(3,125 | ) | 18,512 | |||||
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period |
9,934 | 6,874 | ||||||
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period |
$ | 6,809 | $ | 25,386 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures |
||||||||
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized |
$ | 115 | $ | | ||||
Income taxes paid, net of refunds |
$ | 1 | $ | | ||||
7
(1) | The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of A. H. Belo Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company or A. H. Belo) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. | |
(2) | The Company owns and operates three primary daily newspapers: The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, and The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA). They publish and distribute local, state, national, and international news. In addition to these three daily newspapers, the Company publishes various niche products in the same or nearby markets where the primary daily newspapers are located. Each of the Companys daily newspapers and niche publications operates and maintains its own Web site. The Company also operates direct mail and commercial printing businesses. The Companys operating segments are defined as its newspapers within a given market. The Company has determined that all of its operating segments meet the criteria under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, to be aggregated into one reporting segment. | |
On February 8, 2008, Belo Corp. (Belo) contributed all of the stock of its subsidiaries engaged in the newspaper business and related assets to A. H. Belo (hereafter referred to as the Distribution). On February 8, 2008 (the Distribution Date), Belo also distributed, through a pro rata, tax-free dividend to its shareholders, 0.20 shares of A. H. Belo Series A common stock for every share of Belo Series A common stock, and 0.20 shares of A. H. Belo Series B common stock for every share of Belo Series B common stock, owned as of the close of business on January 25, 2008. As a result of the Distribution, A. H. Belo issued 17,603,499 shares of Series A common stock and 2,848,496 shares of Series B common stock. This resulted in A. H. Belo becoming a separate public company with its own management and board of directors. The assets and liabilities transferred to A. H. Belo were recorded at historical cost as a reorganization of entities under common control. Following the Distribution, Belo does not have any ownership interest in A. H. Belo but continues to conduct business with A. H. Belo pursuant to various agreements, as more fully described in Note 7, and co-own certain investments. | ||
The three months ended March 31, 2008 include allocated Belo corporate expenses up to the Distribution Date only. Corporate expenses for the remainder of the three month period (post-Distribution) comprise actual costs incurred by the Company. The allocations from Belo include certain costs associated with Belos corporate facilities, information systems, legal, internal audit, finance (including public company accounting and reporting), employee compensation and benefits administration, risk management, treasury administration and tax functions, and are based on actual costs incurred by Belo. Allocations of corporate facility costs are based on the actual space used. Information technology costs and employee compensation and benefits administration are allocated based on headcount. Other costs are allocated to A. H. Belo based on the Companys size relative to the Belo subsidiaries. Costs allocated to the Company totaled $7,430 for the 39 days ended February 8, 2008. Transactions between the companies comprising A. H. Belo have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. | ||
On the Distribution Date, Belo settled or assigned intercompany indebtedness between and among Belo and its subsidiaries, including Belos subsidiaries engaged in the newspaper business and related assets. Belo settled accounts through contributions of such indebtedness to the capital of the debtor subsidiaries, distributions by creditor subsidiaries, and other non-cash transfers, or assigned indebtedness to A. H. Belo. As of the effective time of the Distribution, Belo had contributed to the capital of A. H. Belo and its subsidiaries the net intercompany indebtedness owed to Belo by A. H. Belo and its subsidiaries, and A. H. Belo assumed the indebtedness owed by Belo to the A. H. Belo subsidiaries. | ||
All dollar amounts are in thousands, unless otherwise indicated. |
8
(3) | The following table presents stock-based awards that are excluded for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008: |
Three Month Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2009 | March 31, 2008 | |||||||
Options excluded due to exercise price in excess of average market price |
||||||||
Number outstanding |
3,754 | 2,494 | ||||||
Weighted average exercise price |
$ | 14.32 | $ | 21.09 |
(4) | Prior to the Distribution, the Company established a long-term incentive plan under which awards may be granted to employees and outside directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights. In addition, options may be accompanied by stock appreciation rights and limited stock appreciation rights. Rights and limited rights may also be issued without accompanying options. Cash-based bonus awards are also available under the plan. | |
In connection with the Distribution, holders of outstanding Belo options received an adjusted
Belo option for the same number of shares of Belo common stock as held before the Distribution
but with a reduced exercise price based on the closing price on February 8, 2008. Holders also
received one new A. H. Belo option for every five Belo options held as of the Distribution Date
(the distribution ratio) with an exercise price based on the closing share price on February 8,
2008. The Belo Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) were treated as if they were issued and
outstanding shares. Holders of Belo RSUs retained their existing RSUs and also received A. H.
Belo RSUs. The number of A. H. Belo RSUs awarded to Belos RSU holders was determined using the
distribution ratio. As a result, the Belo RSUs and the A. H. Belo RSUs, taken together, had the same aggregate value based on the closing prices of the Belo stock and the A. H. Belo stock on the Distribution Date, as the Belo RSUs immediately prior to the Distribution. |
||
Each stock option and RSU (of A. H. Belo and of Belo) otherwise has the same terms as the original awards. The awards continue to vest as under the existing vesting schedule based on continued employment with A. H. Belo or Belo, as applicable. | ||
Share-based compensation cost recognized for awards to A. H. Belos employees and non-employee directors was $378 and $734 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. No compensation cost is recognized related to options issued by A. H. Belo held by employees and non-employee directors of Belo. | ||
A. H. Belo also recognizes compensation expense for any pre-Distribution awards related to its employees that were issued under Belos long-term incentive plans. A. H. Belos share-based compensation expense includes $136 and $443 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to awards that were issued by Belo. | ||
A. H. Belo Option Activity | ||
The following table summarizes the option activity under A. H. Belos long-term incentive plan for the period ended March 31, 2009: |
Number of | Weighted Average | |||||||
Options | Exercise Price | |||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2008 |
3,784,388 | $ | 14.32 | |||||
Granted |
| $ | | |||||
Exercised |
| $ | | |||||
Canceled |
(30,120 | ) | $ | 14.89 | ||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 |
3,754,268 | $ | 14.32 | |||||
Of the total A. H. Belo options outstanding at March 31, 2009, 2,405,295 options with a weighted average exercise price of $10.41 are held by A. H. Belo employees and non-employee directors. |
9
A. H. Belo RSU Activity | ||
The following table summarizes the RSU activity under A. H. Belos long-term incentive plan for the period ended March 31, 2009: |
Number of | Weighted Average | |||||||
RSUs | Exercise Price | |||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2008 |
402,951 | $ | 16.63 | |||||
Granted |
| $ | | |||||
Vested |
(93,615 | ) | $ | 15.46 | ||||
Canceled |
(1,991 | ) | $ | 8.28 | ||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 |
307,345 | $ | 15.53 | |||||
Of the total A. H. Belo RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2009, 174,529 RSUs are held by A. H. Belo employees and non-employee directors. | ||
(5) | As described in Note 7 in the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Belo retained sponsorship and funding obligations of the G. B. Dealey Retirement Pension Plan (Pension Plan), in which some of A. H. Belo employees participate. Under the employee matters agreement between the Company and Belo, A. H. Belo will reimburse Belo for 60 percent of each contribution Belo makes to the Pension Plan. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has recorded a liability of $17,096 for these anticipated future fundings. Both the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligations are measured annually on December 31, and as such, the funded status (the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of the Pension Plan as of March 31, 2009, does not reflect changes in the fair value of plan assets or changes in discount rates on benefit obligations. Changes in general market conditions may affect the funded status of the Pension Plan at each December 31 measurement date, | |
(6) | On August 23, 2004, August 26, 2004 and October 5, 2004, three related lawsuits, now consolidated, were filed by purported shareholders of Belo in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Belo, Robert W. Decherd, and Barry T. Peckham, a former executive officer of The Dallas Morning News, arising out of the circulation overstatement at The Dallas Morning News. James M. Moroney III was added later as a defendant. The plaintiffs seek to represent a purported class of shareholders who purchased Belo common stock between May 12, 2003 and August 6, 2004, and allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On April 2, 2008, the court denied plaintiffs motion for class certification and on April 16, 2008, plaintiffs petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for permission to appeal that denial. On June 17, 2008, permission was granted and on April 2, 2009 the Fifth Circuit heard oral argument. No amount of damages has been specified. The Company believes the complaints are without merit and is defending vigorously against them. | |
Under the terms of the separation and distribution agreement between A. H. Belo and Belo, A. H. Belo and Belo will share equally in any liability, net of any applicable insurance, resulting from the lawsuits described above. | ||
On March 17, 2009, the 191st Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas, dismissed a shareholder derivative lawsuit filed by a purported individual shareholder of Belo against Robert W. Decherd, John L. Sander, Dunia A. Shive, Dennis A. Williamson, and James M. Moroney III; Barry T. Peckham; and Louis E. Caldera, Judith L. Craven, Stephen Hamblett, Dealey D. Herndon, Wayne R. Sanders, France A. Córdova, Laurence E. Hirsch, J. McDonald Williams, Henry P. Becton, Jr., Roger A. Enrico, William T. Solomon, Lloyd D. Ward, M. Anne Szostak, and Arturo Madrid, current or former directors of Belo. The lawsuit, which was filed on June 3, 2005, made various claims asserting mismanagement and alleged breach of fiduciary duties related to the circulation overstatement at The Dallas Morning News. | ||
On October 24, 2006, 18 former employees of The Dallas Morning News filed a lawsuit against various A. H. Belo-related parties in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The plaintiffs lawsuit alleges unlawful discrimination and ERISA violations and includes allegations relating to The Dallas Morning News circulation overstatement. In June 2007, the court issued a memorandum order granting in part and denying in part defendants motion to dismiss. In August 2007 and in March 2009, the court dismissed certain additional claims. A trial date, originally set in January 2009, has been reset to April 2010. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and is defending vigorously against it. |
10
On April 13, 2009, four former independent contractor newspaper carriers of The Press-Enterprise, on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated individuals, filed a purported class-action lawsuit against A. H. Belo, Belo, Press-Enterprise Company, and as yet unidentified defendants in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Riverside. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated California laws by allegedly improperly categorizing the plaintiffs and the purported class members as independent contractors rather than employees, and in doing so, allegedly failed to pay minimum, hourly and overtime wages to the purported class members and allegedly failed to comply with other laws and regulations applicable to an employer-employee relationship. Plaintiffs and purported class members are seeking minimum wages, unpaid regular and overtime wages, unpaid rest break and meal period compensation, reimbursement of expenses and losses incurred by them in discharging their duties, payment of minimum wage to all employees who failed to receive minimum wage for all hours worked in each payroll period, penalties, injunctive and other equitable relief, and reasonable attorneys fees and costs. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. | ||
In addition to the proceedings disclosed above, a number of other legal proceedings are pending against A. H. Belo, including several actions for alleged libel and/or defamation. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from these other legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on A. H. Belos results of operations, liquidity, or financial condition. | ||
(7) | In connection with the Distribution, the Company entered into a separation and distribution agreement; a services agreement; a tax matters agreement; an employee matters agreement, which allocates liabilities and responsibilities regarding employee compensation and benefit plans and related matters; and other agreements with Belo or its subsidiaries. In the separation and distribution agreement, effective as of the Distribution Date, A. H. Belo and Belo have agreed to indemnify each other and certain related parties from all liabilities existing or arising from acts and events occurring, or failing to occur (or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur), regarding each others businesses, whether occurring before, at or after the effective time of the Distribution; provided, however, that under the terms of the separation and distribution agreement, the Company and Belo will share equally in any liabilities, net of any applicable insurance, resulting from certain circulation-related lawsuits. | |
Under the services agreement, for a period of up to two years after the Distribution Date, A. H. Belo and Belo (or their respective subsidiaries) will provide each other various services and/or support. Payments made or other consideration provided in connection with all continuing transactions between the Company and Belo will be on an arms-length basis or on a basis consistent with the business purpose of the parties. | ||
The tax matters agreement sets out each partys rights and obligations with respect to payment
deficiencies and refunds, if any, of federal, state, local, or foreign taxes for periods before
and after the Distribution and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct
of IRS and other audits. Under this agreement, Belo is responsible for all income taxes prior to
the Distribution, except that A. H. Belo is responsible for its share of income taxes paid on a consolidated basis for the period of January 1, 2008 through February 8, 2008. A. H. Belo is responsible for its income taxes subsequent to the Distribution Date. |
||
Belos Dallas/Fort Worth television station, WFAA-TV, and The Dallas Morning News, owned by A. H. Belo, have agreed to provide media content, cross-promotion, and other services to the other. In addition, A. H. Belo and Belo co-own certain downtown Dallas real estate through a limited liability company formed in connection with the Distribution. | ||
(8) | On January 30, 2009, the Company announced that it would pursue a number of initiatives that focus on cost reduction. Included in these cost reduction initiatives was a reduction-in-force of approximately 500 jobs. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company expensed $3,586 related to the reduction-in-force. These reductions will be completed in the second quarter of 2009 and $1,151 of the costs were paid in the first quarter of 2009, with the remainder of the costs to be paid during the second quarter of 2009. | |
(9) | The Company had approximately $775,500 of property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2009, including approximately $504,500 related to publishing equipment and other fixed assets. In addition to the original cost of these assets, their recorded value is determined by a number of estimates made by the Company, including estimated useful lives. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company records impairment charges on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired, the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets and the net book value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value. In making these determinations, the Company uses certain assumptions, including, but not limited to: (i) the estimated fair value of the assets; and (ii) the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, which estimates are based on additional assumptions such as asset utilization, length of service and estimated salvage values. |
11
(10) | SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires that goodwill be tested for impairment using the two-step method at least annually or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company measures the fair value of its reporting units annually on December 31. Changes in general market conditions may affect the fair value of a reporting unit at the December 31 measurement date, which could lead to an impairment when the Company completes its annual impairment test. However, any impairment would not impact the Companys liquidity. Please refer to notes 1 and 3 to the Companys consolidated financial statements in the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a full description of the Companys goodwill impairment policies. | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily based upon the continued declining economic environment which resulted in a larger than anticipated decline in advertising demand during the first quarter of 2009 and potentially the remainder of the year, the Company determined that sufficient evidence existed to require it to perform an interim goodwill impairment analysis. The Company performed the first step of its interim goodwill impairment test for both The Dallas Morning News and The Providence Journal. The Company uses the discounted cash flow method to determine fair value of its operating units. The use of discounted cash flows is based on assumptions requiring significant judgment regarding revenue growth rates, margins, discount factors and tax rates. The assumptions used in the step one analysis are consistent with the Companys current estimates and projections, some of which differ from the assumptions used for the annual impairment testing in December 2008. The change in assumptions is driven by greater than anticipated declines in revenue in the first quarter of 2009 which resulted in lower margins, despite significant cost reductions. | ||
The step one analyses results indicated a potential goodwill impairment existed at The Providence Journal, but not at The Dallas Morning News. While the step one analysis for both reporting units reflected significant declines in forecasted advertising revenue based on the results from the first quarter of 2009, The Dallas Morning News is expected to continue to produce sufficient margins such that the carrying value of its goodwill is not impaired. In performing the step one analysis for The Dallas Morning News, management also considered the sensitivity of its assumptions to additional risk and concluded that the step one analysis would continue to not indicate impairment with more conservative inputs. However, The Providence Journal margins were impacted such that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value. Therefore, the Company performed the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis, which involves calculating the implied impairment of goodwill for The Providence Journal. The second step involved allocating the estimated fair value of the operating unit to all of its assets and liabilities, except goodwill, and comparing the residual fair value to the carrying value of goodwill of The Providence Journal. As of March 31, 2009, the Company determined the goodwill related to The Providence Journal was impaired and recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $80,940. After recording the impairment charge no goodwill remained related to The Providence Journal. | ||
A summary of the changes in the Companys recorded goodwill is below: |
The Dallas | The Providence | The | ||||||||||||||
Total Goodwill | Morning News | Journal | Press-Enterprise | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 |
$ | 105,522 | $ | 24,582 | $ | 80,940 | $ | | ||||||||
Goodwill impairment |
(80,940 | ) | | (80,940 | ) | | ||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2009 |
24,582 | 24,582 | | | ||||||||||||
(11) | On February 4, 2008, the Company entered into a $100,000 senior revolving credit facility (the Credit Agreement), with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and certain other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement was effective as of the Distribution Date and may be used for working capital needs and other general corporate purposes, including letters of credit. | |
As of September 30, 2008, the Company was not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio as required by its credit facility. On October 23, 2008, the Company entered into the First Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement. Among other matters, the amendment reduced the total commitment amount from $100,000 to $50,000; set interest rates at LIBOR plus 250 basis points; waived compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant through January 31, 2009; restricted the payment of cash dividends during the waiver period; and provided the lenders with a security interest in the Companys and its material subsidiaries accounts receivable and inventory. |
12
On January 30, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its existing Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2008 with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and certain other lenders party thereto (the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was effective as of January 30, 2009 and matures April 30, 2011. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for a $50,000 working capital facility that is subject to a borrowing base. Among other matters, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement creates an asset-based revolving credit facility secured by the Companys accounts receivable, inventory, specified real property and other assets; sets pricing at LIBOR plus 375 basis points; establishes minimum quarterly adjusted EBITDA covenant requirements in 2009; establishes a fixed charge coverage ratio in 2010 of 1.0 to 1.0; allows capital expenditures and investments of up to $16,000 per year in total; allows the Company to pay dividends when the Companys fixed charge coverage ratio exceeds 1.2 to 1.0 and the aggregate availability under the credit facility exceeds $15,000; and contains other covenants and restrictions, including those which have limitations on indebtedness, liens, and asset sales. Adjusted EBITDA means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any extraordinary or non-recurring non-cash charges or expenses for such period, (v) any other non-cash charges for such period including, without limitation, any non-cash stock-based compensation expenses for such period, and (vi) Restructuring Costs in an amount not to exceed $10,000 minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income, (i) any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges described in clause (a)(v) taken in a prior period and (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, (GAAP). In connection with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company and each of specified subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement granting a security interest in all personal property and other assets now owned or thereafter acquired. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires certain of the Companys subsidiaries to enter into mortgages or deeds of trust granting liens on certain specified real property. | ||
Under the revolving credit facility, the Company must meet the minimum adjusted EBITDA covenants as outlined below: |
For the six months ended March 31, 2009: |
$ | (4,000 | ) | |
For the nine months ended June 30, 2009: |
$ | 6,500 | ||
For the 12 months ended September 30, 2009: |
$ | 15,000 | ||
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2009: |
$ | 22,500 |
Compliance with the minimum adjusted EBITDA and other financial covenants depends on the Companys financial condition and results of operations, which are subject to a number of factors, including current and future economic conditions. Based on the Companys projections for the remainder of fiscal year 2009, which incorporate the Companys assessment of current economic conditions, the projections currently indicate that the Company should be able to meet these financial covenants throughout fiscal year 2009. These projections are based on revenue and expense estimates for the remainder of 2009 and include the implementation of continuing expense savings initiatives, as well as other expense and revenue expectations for the remainder of fiscal year 2009. However, there can be no assurance of the Companys ability to meet these projections, achieve the performance estimates or assumptions underlying these projections or these financial covenants. | ||
Throughout 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the economy has experienced disruptions resulting from the sub-prime mortgage crisis and general credit market conditions in the United States. The full effect that these disruptions will have on the Companys results as well as their length and ultimate severity are difficult to predict. Should these or other economic conditions worsen or persist for an extended time, the Companys results could be materially adversely affected. Due to the dynamic nature of assumptions used in estimating the Companys financial results and the Companys inability to control the effect of the current economic conditions, actual results may differ materially from the Companys projections. Furthermore, the Companys results may be affected by continued economic and political developments and those effects could be material to the consolidated financial statements. | ||
If the current economic recession causes advertising revenues to decline more than currently anticipated, if other parts of our business experience adverse effects, or if our expense-saving initiatives prove insufficient, then we may not be able to meet these financial covenants. Absent a waiver from the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement lenders, not meeting these financial |
13
covenants will result in an event of default under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement lenders could elect to terminate all commitments to extend further credit and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. | ||
The Companys ability to borrow under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement depends on a borrowing base determined from a formula based on the levels of our accounts receivable and inventory. If our accounts receivable and inventory are insufficient (including, with respect to accounts receivable, as a result of decreased revenues), then we may be unable to borrow under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement notwithstanding compliance with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreements financial covenants. | ||
Notes payable at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consist of the following: |
March 31, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||
Current maturity of revolving notes |
$ | 12,650 | $ | 10,000 |
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Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Percentage | ||||||||||||
2009 | Change | 2008 | ||||||||||
Net operating revenues |
$ | 128,494 | (19.8) | % | $ | 160,187 | ||||||
Operating costs and expenses |
150,539 | (12.5) | % | 172,066 | ||||||||
Goodwill impairment |
80,940 | | | |||||||||
Other income (expense) |
522 | (124.8) | % | (2,109 | ) | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
(102,463 | ) | 632.5 | % | (13,988 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
605 | (111.5) | % | (5,270 | ) | |||||||
Net loss |
$ | (103,068 | ) | 1,082.2 | % | $ | (8,718 | ) | ||||
15
Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
Percentage | ||||||||||||
2009 | Change | 2008 | ||||||||||
Advertising |
$ | 89,331 | (28.2 | )% | $ | 124,423 | ||||||
Circulation |
31,714 | 9.0 | % | 29,105 | ||||||||
Other |
7,449 | 11.9 | % | 6,659 | ||||||||
Net operating revenues |
$ | 128,494 | (19.8 | )% | $ | 160,187 | ||||||
16
17
For the six months ended March 31, 2009: |
$ | (4,000 | ) | |
For the nine months ended June 30, 2009: |
$ | 6,500 | ||
For the 12 months ended September 30, 2009: |
$ | 15,000 | ||
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2009: |
$ | 22,500 |
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19
20
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||
2.1 | * | Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 2.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K)) | ||||
3.1 | * | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Companys Form 10 dated January 18, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the Third Amendment to Form 10)) | ||||
3.2 | * | Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated January 11, 2008 (Exhibit 3.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 dated January 31, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741)) | ||||
3.3 | * | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective January 11, 2008 (Exhibit 3.3 to the Third Amendment to Form 10) | ||||
4.1 | Certain rights of the holders of the Companys Common Stock are set forth in Exhibits 3.1-3.3 above | |||||
4.2 | * | Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Companys Series A Common Stock (Exhibit 4.2 to the Third Amendment to Form 10) | ||||
4.3 | * | Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Companys Series B Common Stock (Exhibit 4.3 to the Third Amendment to Form 10) | ||||
4.4 | * | Rights Agreement dated as of January 11, 2008 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Exhibit 4.4 to the Third Amendment to Form 10) | ||||
10.1 | Financing agreements: | |||||
(1)* Credit Agreement dated as of February 4, 2008 among the Company, as Borrower, JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, SunTrust Bank and Capitol One Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents (Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741)) | ||||||
~ | (2)* First Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 2008 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741)) | |||||
~ | (3) * Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 30, 2009, (Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2009 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the February 2, 2009 Form 8-K) | |||||
~ | (4) * Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of January 30, 2009 (Exhibit 10.2 to the February 2, 2009 From 8-K) | |||||
10.2 | Compensatory plans: | |||||
~ | (1)* | A. H. Belo Corporation Savings Plan (Exhibit 10.4 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | ||||
* (a) | First Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan dated September 23, 2008 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(A) to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741)) | |||||
* (b) | Second Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan effective March 27, 2009 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on From 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2009 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the April 2, 2009 Form 8-K) | |||||
* (b) | Third Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan effective March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.2 to the April 2, 2009 Form 8-K) | |||||
~ | (2)* | A. H. Belo Corporation 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10.5 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | ||||
* (a) | First Amendment to A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan effective July 23, 2008 (Exhibit 10.2(2)(A) to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741)) | |||||
* (b) | Form of A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan Non-Employee Director Evidence of Award (Exhibit 10.2(2)(A) to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the First Quarter 2008 Form 10-Q)) | |||||
* (c) | Form of A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan Evidence of Award (for Employee Awards) (Exhibit 10.2(2)(B) to the First Quarter 2008 Form 10-Q) |
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Exhibit Number | Description | |||||
~ | (3)* | A. H. Belo Pension Transition Supplement Restoration Plan effective January 1, 2008 (Exhibit 10.6 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | ||||
* (a) | First Amendment to the A. H. Belo Pension Transition Supplement Restoration Plan dated March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.4 to the April 2, 2009 From 8-K) | |||||
~ | (4)* | A. H. Belo Corporation Change In Control Severance Plan (Exhibit 10.7 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | ||||
* (a) | Amendment to the A. H. Belo Change in Control Severance Plan dated March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.3 to the April 2, 2009 Form 8-K) | |||||
10.3 | Agreements relating to the Distribution of A. H. Belo: | |||||
(1)* | Tax Matters Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 10.1 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | |||||
(2)* | Employee Matters Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 10.2 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | |||||
(3)* | Services Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 10.3 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | |||||
(4)* | Separation and Distribution Agreement (See Exhibit 2.1 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8-K) | |||||
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||||
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||||
32 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
22
A. H. BELO CORPORATION |
||||
May 14, 2009 | By: | /s/ Alison K. Engel | ||
Alison K. Engel | ||||
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||
May 14, 2009 | By: | /s/ George F. Finfrock | ||
George F. Finfrock | ||||
Vice President/Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
||||
23
1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. H. Belo Corporation; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||
b) | designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Robert W. Decherd | ||||
Robert W. Decherd | ||||
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. H. Belo Corporation; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||
b) | designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Alison K. Engel | ||||
Alison K. Engel | ||||
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer |
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | ||
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ Robert W. Decherd | ||||
Robert W. Decherd | ||||
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer May 14, 2009 |
||||
/s/ Alison K. Engel | ||||
Alison K. Engel | ||||
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer May 14, 2009 |
||||