Lee Enterprises Reports Third Quarter Earnings

August 6, 2015

DAVENPORT, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2015-- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), a major provider of local news, information and advertising in 50 markets, today reported preliminary(1) earnings of 3 cents per diluted common share for its third fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015, compared to a loss of 19 cents a year ago. Excluding unusual matters, adjusted earnings per diluted common share(2) totaled 9 cents, compared with earnings of 11 cents a year ago.

“We continue to see strong growth in digital advertising, digital services and subscription revenue,” Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive officer said. “Total digital revenue increased 28.6% in the quarter,” she said. “We also had significant growth in digital services — up 19.7% in the quarter — largely fueled by TownNews.com, a Lee Enterprises subsidiary that provides digital services including web hosting and content management for web, print and mobile products to Lee Enterprises properties as well as 1,500 other newspapers. Digital advertising revenue increased 6.5% for the quarter driven by strong growth in retail," Junck added.

“We are using substantially all of our free cash flow(2) to reduce debt,” Junck said. "In the third fiscal quarter, we repaid $19.3 million in debt including the milestone of paying off the Pulitzer Notes almost two years early. The repayment of the Pulitzer Notes not only reduces our debt but also simplifies our capital structure and should result in a more rapid paydown of our debt under the 1st Lien Term Loan(3)."

She added: "In the third quarter, we reduced cash costs(2) on a comparable basis after excluding unusual matters, 3.9%, or $4.8 million. Our keen focus on cost control allows us to improve our guidance, and we now expect fourth quarter cash costs to decrease between 5.5%-6.0%.

“Lee also has an active real estate monetization program with more than $15 million of real estate assets listed for sale, including the headquarters of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch."

Junck also noted the following financial highlights for the quarter:

  • Digital advertising revenue increased 6.5% and represents 20.7% of our total advertising revenue. Digital retail advertising increased 12.0%.
  • Mobile advertising revenue, which is included in digital advertising, increased 23.2%.
  • Subscription revenue, excluding the subscription-related expense reclassification discussed more fully below, increased 3.4%, and we expect full year 2015 subscription revenue, excluding the impact of the reclassification, to increase 2.5-3.0%.
  • Debt was reduced $70.0 million in the last twelve months.

THIRD QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS

Operating revenue for the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2015 totaled $157.5 million, a decrease of 3.4% compared with a year ago. However, the month-over-month revenue trend improved in both May and June of 2015.

Excluding the impact of a subscription-related expense reclassification as a result of moving to fee-for-service delivery contracts at most of our newspapers, operating revenue decreased 5.1%. The delivery expense reclassification increases both print subscription revenue and other operating expenses with no impact on operating cash flow(2) or operating income. Certain delivery expenses were previously reported as a reduction of revenue. Tables later in this release detail the impact of the reclassification on revenue and cash costs.

Advertising and marketing services revenue combined decreased 8.9% to $100.5 million, with retail advertising down 8.3%, classified down 11.9% and national down 12.5%. Combined print and digital classified employment revenue decreased 14.5%, while automotive decreased 14.5%, real estate decreased 16.0% and other classified decreased 6.6%. Digital advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis increased 6.5% to $20.8 million.

Subscription revenue increased 9.4%. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, subscription revenue increased 3.4%. Average daily newspaper circulation, including TNI(3) and MNI(3) and digital subscribers, totaled 1.0 million in the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2015. Sunday circulation totaled 1.4 million. Amounts are not comparable to the prior year period due to changes in measurements by the Alliance for Audited Media.

Total digital revenue, including advertising, marketing services, subscriptions and digital businesses, totaled $30.1 million in the quarter, up 28.6%, and represents 19.1% of total operating revenue.

Cash costs decreased 1.2% for the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2015. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification and unusual matters, cash costs decreased 3.9% for the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2015. Compensation decreased 3.1%, primarily as a result of reduced staffing levels. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 19.5%, primarily the result of lower newsprint prices and a reduction in newsprint volume of 13.4%. Other operating expenses increased 2.9%. Excluding the subscription-related expense reclassification, other operating expense decreased 2.1%.

We expect our fourth quarter cash costs, excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification and unusual matters, to decrease between 5.5%-6.0%, a further improvement from the decrease of 2.2% for the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015. These additional cost reductions in the second half of fiscal year 2015 are expected to have a favorable impact on the fiscal year 2016 cash costs.

Operating cash flow decreased 10.4% from a year ago to $35.2 million. Excluding unusual matters, operating cash flow decreased 8.7%. Operating cash flow margin(2) decreased to 22.4%, compared to 24.1% a year ago. The subscription-related expense reclassification reduced operating cash flow margin by 0.7%. Including equity in earnings of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, as well as unusual matters in both years, operating income totaled $24.8 million in the current year quarter, compared with $28.6 million a year ago.

Non-operating expenses decreased 52.2% for the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2015 due to the debt refinancing costs paid in the same quarter of the prior year. Interest expense decreased 7.8%, or $1.5 million, due to lower debt balances. We recognized $1.4 million of debt refinancing costs in the current year quarter compared to $21.7 million in the prior year quarter. We recognized $1.1 million of non-operating expense in the current year quarter due to the change in fair value of stock warrants issued in connection with our refinancing in 2014. Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated for the quarter totaled $1.9 million, compared with a loss of $9.7 million a year ago.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND EPS FOR THE QUARTER

The following table summarizes the impact from unusual matters on income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings per diluted common share. Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

         
        13 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29
    2015   2014
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)   Amount   Per Share   Amount   Per Share
 
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as reported 1,882   0.03 (9,746 )   (0.19 )
Adjustments:
Impairment of intangible and other assets 336
Debt financing costs 1,445 21,732
Warrants fair value adjustment 1,091 (579 )
Litigation settlement 2,300
Workforce adjustments and other, net   1,188         426      
3,724 24,215
Income tax effect of adjustments, net   (866 )       (8,675 )    
    2,858     0.05     15,540     0.30  
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as adjusted   4,740     0.09     5,794     0.11  
 

SUBSCRIPTION EXPENSE RECLASSIFICATION

Certain results, excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, are as follows:

       
    13 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29   Percent

(Thousands of Dollars)

  2015   2014   Change
 
Subscription revenue, as reported 47,394 43,339 9.4
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (4,512 )   (1,864 )   NM  
Subscription revenue, as adjusted   42,882     41,475     3.4  
 
Total operating revenue, as reported 157,546 163,125 (3.4 )
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (4,512 )   (1,864 )   NM  
Total operating revenue, as adjusted   153,034     161,261     (5.1 )
 
Other cash costs, as reported 55,405 53,840 2.9
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (4,512 )   (1,864 )   NM  
Other cash costs, as adjusted   50,893     51,976     (2.1 )
 
Total cash cost excluding unusual matters 121,268 123,394 (1.7 )
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (4,512 )   (1,864 )   NM  
Total cash cost excluding unusual matters, as adjusted   116,756     121,530     (3.9 )
 
Total cash costs, as reported 122,325 123,813 (1.2 )
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (4,512 )   (1,864 )   NM  
Total cash costs, as adjusted   117,813     121,949     (3.4 )
 

Approximately $4,166,000, or 92.3% of the reclassification impacts revenue and cash costs of our Lee Legacy(2) operations, and approximately $346,000, or 7.7% impacts Pulitzer(2).

FULL ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION INITIATIVE

As previously reported, we launched our full access subscription initiative in our first markets more than a year ago and as of today substantially all of our markets have launched a full access subscription model. We expect subscription revenue for 2015, excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, to increase 2.5-3.0%.

YEAR-TO-DATE OPERATING RESULTS(4)

Operating revenue for the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015, totaled $489.2 million, a decrease of 1.1% compared with the 39 weeks ended June 29, 2014. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, operating revenue decreased 3.5%.

Advertising and marketing services revenue combined decreased 6.5% to $313.6 million, retail advertising decreased 6.7%, classified decreased 6.9% and national decreased 9.2%. Combined print and digital classified employment revenue decreased 6.3%, while automotive decreased 11.3%, real estate decreased 11.4% and other classified decreased 2.5%. Digital advertising and marketing services revenue on a stand-alone basis increased 7.3% to $59.5 million. Mobile advertising revenue increased 30.7%.

Subscription revenue increased 11.6%. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, subscription revenue increased 2.7%. Our average daily newspaper circulation, including TNI and MNI and digital subscribers, totaled 1.0 million in the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015. Sunday circulation totaled 1.4 million.

Total digital revenue was $84.7 million year to date, up 29.3% compared with a year ago.

Cash costs for the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015 increased 1.2% compared to the same period a year ago. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification and unusual matters, cash costs decreased 2.2%. Compensation increased slightly, due to an increase in employee medical and pension costs as well as salary increases, partially offset by a decrease in the average number of full-time equivalent employees of 4.5%. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 17.8%, primarily the result of lower newsprint prices and a reduction in newsprint volume of 12.6%. Other operating expenses increased 5.4% and excluding the impact of the subscription-related expenses reclassification other operating expense decreased 1.8%, or $2.9 million.

Operating cash flow decreased 8.2% from a year ago to $111.4 million. Operating cash flow margin decreased to 22.8% from 24.5% a year ago. The subscription-related expense reclassification reduced operating cash flow margin by 0.7%. Including equity in earnings of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, as well as unusual matters in both years, operating income decreased to $82.6 million in the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015, compared with $92.5 million a year ago.

Non-operating expenses decreased 29.9% in the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2015 compared to the same period a year ago. Cash interest expense decreased 5.7%, or $3.3 million, due to lower debt balances in the current year. We recognized non-cash interest expense of $2.4 million in the prior year to date period. We recognized $4.0 million of debt financing costs in the current year period compared to $21.9 million in the prior year period. Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated for the year totaled $13.4 million, compared to income of $3.6 million a year ago.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND EPS FOR THE YEAR TO DATE

The following table summarizes the impact from unusual matters on income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings per diluted common share. Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

             
            39 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29
    2015   2014
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)   Amount   Per Share   Amount   Per Share
 
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as reported 13,435   0.25 3,632   0.07
Adjustments:
Impairment of intangible and other assets 336
Debt financing costs 4,040 21,935
Amortization of debt present value adjustment 2,394
Warrants fair value adjustment 312 (579 )
Litigation settlement 2,300
Workforce adjustments and other, net   1,570         1,003      
5,922 27,389
Income tax effect of adjustments, net   (1,897 )       (9,754 )    
    4,025     0.07     17,635     0.33
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as adjusted   17,460     0.32     21,267     0.40
 

SUBSCRIPTION EXPENSE RECLASSIFICATION

Certain results, excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, are as follows:

       
    39 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29   Percent

(Thousands of Dollars)

  2015   2014   Change
 
Subscription revenue, as reported 145,904 130,744 11.6
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (13,924 )   (2,265 )   NM  
Subscription revenue, as adjusted   131,980     128,479     2.7  
 
Total operating revenue, as reported 489,229 494,603 (1.1 )
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (13,924 )   (2,265 )   NM  
Total operating revenue, as adjusted   475,305     492,338     (3.5 )
 
Other cash costs, as reported 170,426 161,708 5.4
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (13,924 )   (2,265 )   NM  
Other cash costs, as adjusted   156,502     159,443     (1.8 )
 
Total cash costs excluding unusual matters 375,969 372,371 1.0
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (13,924 )   (2,265 )   NM  
Total cash cost excluding unusual matters, as adjusted   362,045     370,106     (2.2 )
 
Total cash costs, as reported 377,877 373,296 1.2
Adjustment for subscription-related expense reclassification   (13,924 )   (2,265 )   NM  
Total cash costs, as adjusted   363,953     371,031     (1.9 )
 

Approximately $12,883,000, or 92.5% of the reclassification impacts revenue and cash costs of our Lee Legacy operations, and approximately $1,041,000, or 7.5% impacts Pulitzer.

DEBT AND FREE CASH FLOW

Debt was reduced $19.3 million in the quarter, $59.8 million fiscal year to date and $70.0 million in the last twelve months ended June 28, 2015. As of June 28, 2015 the principal amount of debt was $745.0 million.

Unlevered free cash flow(2) totaled $34.7 million in the current year quarter compared to $44.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. Unlevered free cash flow totaled $111.9 million for the fiscal year to date compared to $127.0 million a year ago and $144.1 million over the last twelve months. Tax refunds of $6.1 million in the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2014 increased our free cash flow in the prior year periods. At June 28, 2015, liquidity, including cash and availability under our Revolving Facility, totaled $51.8 million compared to $32.9 million of required debt principal payments over the next twelve months.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

As previously announced, we will hold an earnings conference call and audio webcast later today at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time. The live webcast will be accessible at www.lee.net and will be available for replay two hours later. Several analysts have been invited to ask questions on the call. Questions from other participants may be submitted by participating in the webcast. The call also may be monitored on a listen-only conference line by dialing (toll free) 888-481-2848 and entering a conference passcode of 899517 at least five minutes before the scheduled start. Participants on the listen-only line will not have the opportunity to ask questions.

ABOUT LEE

Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information, and a major platform for advertising, in its markets, with 46 daily newspapers and a joint interest in four others, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300 specialty publications in 22 states. Lee's newspapers have circulation of 1.0 million daily and 1.4 million Sunday, reaching over three million readers in print alone. Lee's markets include St. Louis, MO; Lincoln, NE; Madison, WI; Davenport, IA; Billings, MT; Bloomington, IL; and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS — The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This release contains information that may be deemed forward-looking that is based largely on our current expectations, and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, are:

  • Our ability to generate cash flows and maintain liquidity sufficient to service our debt;
  • Our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our credit facilities;
  • Our ability to refinance our debt as it comes due;
  • That the warrants issued in our refinancing will not be exercised;
  • The impact and duration of adverse conditions in certain aspects of the economy affecting our business;
  • Changes in advertising demand;
  • Potential changes in newsprint, other commodities and energy costs;
  • Interest rates;
  • Labor costs;
  • Legislative and regulatory rulings;
  • Our ability to achieve planned expense reductions;
  • Our ability to maintain employee and customer relationships;
  • Our ability to manage increased capital costs;
  • Our ability to maintain our listing status on the NYSE;
  • Competition; and
  • Other risks detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents.

Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “considers” and similar expressions) generally should be considered forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

             
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29   Percent   June 28   June 29   Percent

(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)

  2015   2014   Change   2015   2014   Change
 
Advertising and marketing services:
Retail 63,754 69,507 (8.3 ) 202,086 216,591 (6.7 )
Classified:
Employment 7,929 9,277 (14.5 ) 23,000 24,546 (6.3 )
Automotive 6,213 7,266 (14.5 ) 19,793 22,309 (11.3 )
Real estate 3,837 4,569 (16.0 ) 11,619 13,113 (11.4 )
All other   11,143   11,926     (6.6 )   31,881   32,683   (2.5 )
Total classified 29,122 33,038 (11.9 ) 86,293 92,651 (6.9 )
National 4,608 5,268 (12.5 ) 17,134 18,879 (9.2 )
Niche publications and other   3,006   2,471     21.7     8,119   7,273   11.6  
Total advertising and marketing services revenue   100,490   110,284     (8.9 )   313,632   335,394   (6.5 )
Subscription 47,394 43,339 9.4 145,904 130,744 11.6
Commercial printing 3,239 3,147 2.9 8,830 9,170 (3.7 )
Digital services 3,070 2,565 19.7 9,267 7,257 27.7
Other   3,353   3,790     (11.5 )   11,596   12,038   (3.7 )
Total operating revenue   157,546   163,125     (3.4 )   489,229   494,603   (1.1 )
Operating expenses:
Compensation 58,442 60,330 (3.1 ) 181,615 181,543
Newsprint and ink 7,421 9,224 (19.5 ) 23,928 29,120 (17.8 )
Other operating expenses 55,405 53,840 2.9 170,426 161,708 5.4
Workforce adjustments   1,057   419     NM     1,908   925   NM  
Cash costs   122,325   123,813     (1.2 )   377,877   373,296   1.2  
Operating cash flow 35,221 39,312 (10.4 ) 111,352 121,307 (8.2 )
Depreciation 4,559 5,293 (13.9 ) 13,860 15,700 (11.7 )
Amortization 6,836 6,901 (0.9 ) 20,597 20,710 (0.5 )
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net 686 9 NM 434 (1,622 ) NM
Impairment of intangible and other assets 336 NM 336 NM
Equity in earnings of associated companies   1,705   1,836     (7.1 )   6,114   6,348   (3.7 )
Operating income   24,845     28,609     (13.2 )   82,575     92,531     (10.8 )
Non-operating income (expense):
Financial income 79 85 (7.1 ) 258 306 (15.7 )
Interest expense (18,121 ) (19,654 ) (7.8 ) (55,314 ) (61,033 ) (9.4 )
Debt financing costs (1,445 ) (21,732 ) (93.4 ) (4,040 ) (21,935 ) (81.6 )
Other, net   (1,082 )   (1,701 )   (36.4 )   58     (1,579 )   NM  
    (20,569 )   (43,002 )   (52.2 )   (59,038 )   (84,241 )   (29.9 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 4,276 (14,393 ) NM 23,537 8,290 NM
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,141     (4,882 )   NM     9,353     3,995     NM  
Net income (loss) 2,135 (9,511 ) NM 14,184 4,295 NM
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   (253 )   (235 )   7.7     (749 )   (663 )   13.0  
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated   1,882     (9,746 )   NM     13,435     3,632     NM  
 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic 0.04 (0.19 ) NM 0.26 0.07 NM
Diluted   0.03     (0.19 )   NM     0.25     0.07     NM  
 

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

             
      52 Weeks
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended   Ended
June 28   June 29 June 28   June 29 June 28

(Thousands of Dollars)

  2015   2014   2015   2014   2015
 
Advertising and marketing services 100,490 110,284 313,632 335,394 420,240
Subscription 47,394 43,339 145,904 130,744 191,986
Other   9,662     9,502     29,693     28,465     39,097  
Total operating revenue   157,546     163,125     489,229     494,603     651,323  
Compensation 58,442 60,330 181,615 181,543 243,126
Newsprint and ink 7,421 9,224 23,928 29,120 32,802
Other operating expenses 55,405 53,840 170,426 161,708 228,047
Depreciation and amortization 11,395 12,194 34,457 36,410 48,492
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net 686 9 434 (1,622 ) 894
Impairment of goodwill and other assets 336 336 532
Workforce adjustments   1,057     419     1,908     925     2,249  
Total operating expenses 134,406 136,352 412,768 408,420 556,142
Equity in earnings of TNI and MNI   1,705     1,836     6,114     6,348     8,063  
Operating income 24,845 28,609 82,575 92,531 103,244
Adjusted to exclude:
Depreciation and amortization 11,395 12,194 34,457 36,410 48,492
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net 686 9 434 (1,622 ) 894
Impairment of intangible and other assets 336 336 532
Equity in earnings of TNI and MNI   (1,705 )   (1,836 )   (6,114 )   (6,348 )   (8,063 )
Operating cash flow 35,221 39,312 111,352 121,307 145,099
Add:
Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA (50%) 2,464 2,587 8,432 8,540 11,129
Adjusted to exclude:
Stock compensation   562     397     1,645     1,081     2,045  
Adjusted EBITDA(2) 38,247 42,296 121,429 130,928 158,273
Adjusted to exclude:
Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA (50%) (2,464 ) (2,587 ) (8,432 ) (8,540 ) (11,129 )
Add (deduct):
Distributions from TNI and MNI 2,041 2,346 8,113 7,654 10,455
Capital expenditures, net of insurance proceeds (2,011 ) (3,309 ) (7,686 ) (8,204 ) (11,306 )
Pension contributions (1,130 ) (17 ) (1,565 ) (722 ) (2,365 )
Cash income tax refunds (payments)   (1 )   6,051     63     5,933     152  
Unlevered free cash flow 34,682 44,780 111,922 127,049 144,080
Add (deduct):
Financial income 79 85 258 306 337
Interest expense to be settled in cash (18,121 ) (19,654 ) (55,314 ) (58,639 ) (74,005 )
Debt financing costs paid   (395 )   (31,008 )   (477 )   (31,276 )   (788 )
Free cash flow   16,245     (5,797 )   56,389     37,440     69,624  
 

SELECTED LEE LEGACY(2) ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

             
      52 Weeks
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended   Ended
June 28   June 29 June 28   June 29 June 28
(Thousands of Dollars)   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015
 
Advertising and marketing services 69,973 76,148 219,046 231,411 294,454
Subscription 31,876 28,022 97,935 83,499 128,428
Other   8,391     8,330     25,764     24,959     34,012  
Total operating revenue   110,240     112,500     342,745     339,869     456,894  
Compensation 44,187 45,086 136,706 135,035 182,312
Newsprint and ink 5,387 6,550 17,637 20,623 24,098
Other operating expenses 31,660 28,954 97,157 86,706 129,424
Depreciation and amortization 7,839 8,322 23,850 24,633 31,712
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net (73 ) 8 (324 ) (1,643 ) 133
Impairment of goodwill and other assets 336 336 532
Workforce adjustments   442     265     755     436     871  
Total operating expenses 89,442 89,521 275,781 266,126 369,082
Equity in earnings of MNI   746     790     2,301     2,232     3,453  
Operating income 21,544 23,769 69,265 75,975 91,265
Adjusted to exclude:
Depreciation and amortization 7,839 8,322 23,850 24,633 31,712
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net (73 ) 8 (324 ) (1,643 ) 133
Impairment of intangible and other assets 336 336 532
Equity in earnings of MNI   (746 )   (790 )   (2,301 )   (2,232 )   (3,453 )
Operating cash flow 28,564 31,645 90,490 97,069 120,189
Add:
Ownership share of MNI EBITDA (50%) 1,401 1,436 4,306 4,110 6,101
Adjusted to exclude:
Stock compensation   562     397     1,645     1,081     2,045  
Adjusted EBITDA 30,527 33,478 96,441 102,260 128,335
Adjusted to exclude:
Ownership share of MNI EBITDA (50%) (1,401 ) (1,436 ) (4,306 ) (4,110 ) (6,101 )
Add (deduct):
Distributions from MNI 1,000 1,000 4,000 3,750 5,000
Capital expenditures, net of insurance proceeds (1,556 ) (2,900 ) (5,074 ) (7,145 ) (7,617 )
Pension contributions (17 ) (17 ) (70 )
Cash income tax refunds (payments) (1 ) (199 ) 152 (317 ) 203
Intercompany charges not settled in cash (2,317 ) (2,099 ) (6,953 ) (6,297 ) (10,334 )
Other   (2,000 )   (2,000 )   (2,000 )   (2,000 )   (2,000 )
Unlevered free cash flow 24,252 25,827 82,260 86,124 107,416
Add (deduct):
Financial income 79 85 258 306 337
Interest expense to be settled in cash (18,000 ) (18,834 ) (54,415 ) (55,397 ) (72,509 )
Debt financing costs paid   (296 )   (31,000 )   (378 )   (31,268 )   (689 )
Free cash flow   6,035     (23,922 )   27,725     (235 )   34,555  
 

SELECTED PULITZER(2) ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

             
      52 Weeks
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended   Ended
June 28   June 29 June 28   June 29 June 28

(Thousands of Dollars)

  2015   2014   2015   2014   2015
 
Advertising and marketing services 30,517 34,136 94,586 103,983 125,786
Subscription 15,518 15,317 47,969 47,245 63,558
Other   1,271     1,172     3,929     3,506     5,085  
Total operating revenue   47,306     50,625     146,484     154,734     194,429  
Compensation 14,255 15,244 44,909 46,508 60,814
Newsprint and ink 2,034 2,674 6,291 8,497 8,704
Other operating expenses 23,745 24,886 73,269 75,002 98,623
Depreciation and amortization 3,556 3,872 10,607 11,777 16,780
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net 759 1 758 21 761
Workforce adjustments   615     154     1,153     489     1,378  
Total operating expenses 44,964 46,831 136,987 142,294 187,060
Equity in earnings of TNI   959     1,046     3,813     4,116     4,610  
Operating income 3,301 4,840 13,310 16,556 11,979
Adjusted to exclude:
Depreciation and amortization 3,556 3,872 10,607 11,777 16,780
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net 759 1 758 21 761
Equity in earnings of TNI   (959 )   (1,046 )   (3,813 )   (4,116 )   (4,610 )
Operating cash flow 6,657 7,667 20,862 24,238 24,910
Add:
Ownership share of TNI EBITDA (50%)   1,063     1,151     4,126     4,430     5,028  
Adjusted EBITDA 7,720 8,818 24,988 28,668 29,938
Adjusted to exclude:
Ownership share of TNI EBITDA (50%) (1,063 ) (1,151 ) (4,126 ) (4,430 ) (5,028 )
Add (deduct):
Distributions from TNI 1,041 1,346 4,113 3,904 5,455
Capital expenditures, net of insurance proceeds (455 ) (409 ) (2,612 ) (1,059 ) (3,689 )
Pension contributions (1,130 ) (1,565 ) (705 ) (2,295 )
Cash income tax refunds (payments) 6,250 (89 ) 6,250 (51 )
Intercompany charges not settled in cash 2,317 2,099 6,953 6,297 10,334
Other   2,000     2,000     2,000     2,000     2,000  
Unlevered free cash flow 10,430 18,953 29,662 40,925 36,664
Deduct:
Interest expense to be settled in cash (121 ) (820 ) (899 ) (3,242 ) (1,496 )
Debt financing costs paid   (99 )   (8 )   (99 )   (8 )   (99 )
Free cash flow   10,210     18,125     28,664     37,675     35,069  
 

REVENUE BY REGION

         
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29   Percent   June 28   June 29   Percent

(Thousands of Dollars)

  2015   2014   Change   2015   2014   Change
 
Midwest 98,512 102,194 (3.6 ) 302,773 308,841 (2.0 )
Mountain West 31,779 33,455 (5.0 ) 98,536 98,558
West 10,995 11,070 (0.7 ) 33,478 32,875 1.8
East/Other   16,260     16,406     (0.9 )   54,442     54,329     0.2  
Total   157,546     163,125     (3.4 )   489,229     494,603     (1.1 )
 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

         
  June 28   September 28
(Thousands of Dollars)   2015   2014
Cash   18,904   16,704
Debt (Principal Amount):
Revolving Facility 5,000
1st Lien Term Loan 195,000 226,750
Notes 400,000 400,000
2nd Lien Term Loan 150,000 150,000
Pulitzer Notes     23,000
    745,000   804,750
 

SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION

         
    13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended
  June 28   June 29   Percent   June 28   June 29   Percent
    2015   2014   Change   2015   2014   Change
 
Capital expenditures, net of insurance proceeds (Thousands of Dollars) 2,011 3,309 (39.2 ) 7,686 8,204 (6.3 )
Newsprint volume (Tonnes) 12,471 14,405 (13.4 ) 38,749 44,317 (12.6 )
Average full-time equivalent employees 4,237 4,514 (6.1 ) 4,335 4,539 (4.5 )
Average common shares - basic (Thousands of Shares) 52,597 52,344 0.5 52,521 52,216 0.6
Average common shares - diluted (Thousands of Shares) 54,056 52,344 3.3 53,957 53,655 0.6
Shares outstanding at end of period (Thousands of Shares)               54,749   53,694   2.0  
 

NOTES

(1)   This earnings release is a preliminary report of results for the periods included. The reader should refer to the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-Q and on Form 10-K for definitive information.
 
(2) The following are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures for which reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures are included in tables accompanying this release:

--

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss), plus depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, stock compensation and 50% of EBITDA from TNI and MNI, minus equity in earnings of TNI and MNI and curtailment gains.
 

--

Adjusted Income (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share are defined as income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and earnings (loss) per common share adjusted to exclude both unusual matters and those of a substantially non-recurring nature.
 

--

Cash Costs are defined as compensation, newsprint and ink, other operating expenses and certain unusual matters, such as workforce adjustment costs. Depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, other non-cash operating expenses and other unusual matters are excluded.
 

 

--

Operating Cash Flow is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, minus equity in earnings of TNI and MNI and curtailment gains. Operating Cash Flow Margin is defined as operating cash flow divided by operating revenue. The terms operating cash flow and EBITDA are used interchangeably.
 

--

Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as operating income (loss), plus depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, stock compensation, distributions from TNI and MNI and cash income tax refunds, minus equity in earnings of TNI and MNI, curtailment gains, cash income taxes, pension contributions and capital expenditures. Changes in working capital, asset sales, minority interest and discontinued operations are excluded. Free Cash Flow also includes financial income, interest expense and debt financing and reorganization costs.
 
We also present selected information for Lee Legacy and Pulitzer Inc. ("Pulitzer"). Lee Legacy constitutes the business of the Company excluding Pulitzer, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
No non-GAAP financial measure should be considered as a substitute for any related GAAP financial measure. However, the Company believes the use of non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information with which to evaluate its financial performance, or assist in forecasting and analyzing future periods. The Company also believes such non-GAAP financial measures are alternative indicators of performance used by investors, lenders, rating agencies and financial analysts to estimate the value of a publishing business and its ability to meet debt service requirements.
 
(3) The 1st Lien Term Loan is the $250 million first lien term loan and $40 million revolving facility under a First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014. TNI refers to TNI Partners publishing operations in Tucson, AZ. MNI refers to Madison Newspapers, Inc. publishing operations in Madison, WI.
 
(4) Certain amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The prior periods have been adjusted for comparative purposes, and the reclassifications have no impact on earnings.

Source: Lee Enterprises, Incorporated

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
Charles Arms, 563-383-2100
Director of Communications
IR@lee.net