Form 10-Q
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: March 25, 2012

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 (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-b of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

As of April 27, 2012, the registrant had shares of common stock as listed below outstanding:

 

Class A Common Stock

  60,938,355

Class B Common Stock

  24,800,962

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

      Page  

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1 – Financial Statements (unaudited):

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet – March 25, 2012 and December 25, 2011

     2   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March  27, 2011

     5   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

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

     17   

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     26   

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

     26   

Item 5 – Other Information

     26   

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

     27   

Item 1A – Risk Factors

     27   

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

     33   

Item 6 – Exhibits

     33   

Signatures

     34   

Exhibit Index

     35   


Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Information:

This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements regarding the future financial performance and operations of The McClatchy Company (“McClatchy” or the “Company”). These statements represent management’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events and are based upon current expectations and knowledge of factors impacting McClatchy’s business, including, without limitation, McClatchy’s customers and the markets in which McClatchy operates, the Company’s advertising revenues, the effect of the Company’s revenues on the fair value of its reporting units, its newspapers’ audience and circulation volumes, its impairment analyses and management’s evaluation of the factors pertinent thereto, the economy, the Company’s pension plans, including its assumptions regarding return on pension plan assets and assumed discount rates and future contributions to its qualified pension plan, newsprint pricing and other costs, its restructuring plans, including projected costs and savings, amortization expense, stock option expenses, prepayment of debt, capital expenditures and completion of construction of its new Miami facilities by May 2013 as required in the sales agreement for its existing Miami facilities, litigation, sufficiency of capital resources, possible acquisitions and investments, and future financial performance. Such statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by, followed by or are a part of sentences that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions. For all of those statements, McClatchy claims 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, particularly in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, in the documents which we incorporate by reference and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the future results of McClatchy and could cause those future results to differ materially from those expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements: McClatchy might not generate sufficient cash from operations, or otherwise, necessary to reduce debt or meet debt covenants as expected; McClatchy may experience decreased circulation and diminished revenues from retail, classified and national advertising; McClatchy’s operations have been, and will likely continue to be, adversely affected by competition, including competition from internet publishing and advertising platforms; increases in the cost of newsprint; bankruptcies or financial strain of its major advertising customers; litigation or any potential litigation; geo-political uncertainties including the risk of war; changes in printing and distribution costs from anticipated levels; changes in interest rates; changes in pension assets and liabilities; increased consolidation among major retailers in its markets or other events depressing the level of or reducing the demand for advertising; its inability to negotiate and obtain favorable terms under collective bargaining agreements with unions; competitive action by other companies; and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

      March 25,
2012
    December 25,
2011
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 24,383      $ 86,020   

Trade receivables – (less allowance of $8,416 in 2012 and $7,341 in 2011 )

     135,624        179,046   

Other receivables

     12,026        13,990   

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

     31,045        28,842   

Deferred income taxes

     16,605        16,605   

Other current assets

     21,488        20,473   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     241,171        344,976   

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

    

Land

     308,471        308,489   

Building and improvements

     362,126        362,091   

Equipment

     780,997        784,592   

Construction in progress

     9,040        4,463   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,460,634        1,459,635   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (708,648     (698,658
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     751,986        760,977   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

    

Identifiable intangibles – net

     571,874        586,160   

Goodwill

     1,012,011        1,012,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,583,885        1,598,171   

INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS:

    

Investments in unconsolidated companies

     309,981        304,893   

Other assets

     31,166        31,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     341,147        335,935   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,918,189      $ 3,040,059   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) – Continued

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

      March 25,
2012
    December 25,
2011
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 41,532      $ 44,727   

Accrued pension liabilities

     7,462        37,462   

Accrued compensation

     40,423        42,928   

Income taxes payable

     4,534        13,063   

Unearned revenue

     77,090        73,352   

Accrued interest

     17,954        49,686   

Other accrued liabilities

     15,695        15,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     204,690        276,894   

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Long-term debt

     1,545,481        1,577,476   

Deferred income taxes

     135,897        139,296   

Pension and postretirement obligations

     501,690        516,668   

Financing obligations

     272,846        272,795   

Other long-term obligations

     83,899        81,743   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,539,813        2,587,978   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common stock $.01 par value:

    

Class A – authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 61,638,066 in 2012 and 60,865,566 in 2011

     616        609   

Class B – authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 24,800,962 in 2012 and 2011

     248        248   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,219,864        2,219,161   

Accumulated deficit

     (1,698,119     (1,696,032

Treasury stock at cost, 700,840 shares in 2012 and 260,170 shares in 2011

     (2,274     (1,145

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (346,649     (347,654
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     173,686        175,187   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,918,189      $ 3,040,059   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 25,
2012
    March 27,
2011
 

REVENUES – NET:

    

Advertising

   $ 209,764      $ 225,113   

Circulation

     66,403        66,167   

Other

     12,134        12,454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     288,301        303,734   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Compensation

     112,649        124,357   

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

     34,339        35,376   

Depreciation and amortization

     30,741        31,231   

Other operating expenses

     82,597        92,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     260,326        283,279   

OPERATING INCOME

     27,975        20,455   

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME:

    

Interest expense

     (42,477     (40,947

Interest income

     14        21   

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

     4,433        (1,265

Equity income in unconsolidated companies, net

     6,018        3,172   

Other – net

     38        66   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (31,974     (38,953

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (3,999     (18,498

INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (1,912     (16,536
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS

     (2,087     (1,962

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX:

    

Pension and post retirement plans:

    

Unamortized gain/prior service credit

     1,590        600   

Other comprehensive income (loss) related to investment in unconsolidated companies

     (585     626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     1,005        1,226   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

   $ (1,082   $ (736
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Basic

   $ (0.02   $ (0.02

Diluted

   $ (0.02   $ (0.02

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES:

    

Basic

     85,494        85,036   

Diluted

     85,494        85,036   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 25,
2012
    March 27,
2011
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

   $ (2,087   $ (1,962

Reconciliation to net cash from continuing operations:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     30,741        31,231   

Retirement benefit expense

     225        2,275   

Contribution to qualified defined benefit pension plan

     (40,000     —     

Stock-based compensation expense

     938        1,618   

Equity income in unconsolidated companies

     (6,018     (3,172

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

     (4,433     1,265   

Other

     (86     368   

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

    

Trade receivables

     43,422        46,977   

Inventories

     (2,203     1,758   

Other assets

     (302     (1,447

Accounts payable

     (3,795     (13,432

Accrued compensation

     (2,505     (21,319

Income taxes

     (12,598     (11,047

Other liabilities

     (25,716     (24,678
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

     (24,417     8,435   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (6,955     (3,094

Proceeds from sale of equipment and other

     447        2,196   

Equity investments and other-net

     —          26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

     (6,508     (872

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net borrowings of revolving bank debt

     —          7,750   

Repurchase of public notes

     (29,355     (28,431

Other – principally stock transactions

     (1,357     (95
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

     (30,712     (20,776
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (61,637     (13,213

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     86,020        17,508   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 24,383      $ 4,295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Income taxes (net of refunds)

   $ 8,935      $ 1,529   

Interest (net of capitalized interest)

     68,061        69,872   

Other non-cash financing activities:

    

Financing obligation for contribution of real property to pension plan

   $ —        $ 49,710   

Reduction of pension obligation

     —          (49,710

Non-refundable deposits offset against carrying value of land

       (16,500

Increase in PP&E for land transferred from other assets

       116,000   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The McClatchy Company (McClatchy or the Company) is a leading news, advertising and information provider, offering a wide array of print and digital products in each of the markets it serves. As the third largest newspaper company in the United States, McClatchy’s operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. The Company’s largest newspapers include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C.

McClatchy also owns a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder LLC, which operates the nation’s largest online job site, CareerBuilder.com, 25.6% of Classified Ventures LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental site Apartments.com, and 33.3% of HomeFinder LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com. McClatchy is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. 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 condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary 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. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2011.

Stock-based compensation – All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and restricted stock under equity incentive plans and purchases under the employee stock purchase plan, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. At March 25, 2012, the Company had five stock-based compensation plans. Compensation expense for the plans is summarized below:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
 
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
 

Stock-based compensation expense

   $ 0.9 million       $ 1.6 million   

 

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Income taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Generally accepted accounting principles prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an enterprise’s tax returns. The Company recognizes accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Accrued penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Fair value of financial instruments – Generally accepted accounting principles require the disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Fair value measurements accounting framework establishes a framework for measuring fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework provides a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). For Level 1, inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

The Company estimated the fair values presented below using appropriate valuation methodologies and market information available as of the end of the period covered by this report. These valuations are considered Level I valuations. However, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values. Additionally, the fair values were estimated at the end of our fiscal 2012 first quarter, and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented.

The following are methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount of these items approximates fair value.

Long-term debt. The fair value of long-term debt is determined based on a number of observable inputs including the current market activity of the Company’s publicly-traded notes and bank debt, trends in investor demand and market values of comparable publicly-traded debt. At March 25, 2012, the estimated fair value of long-term debt was $1.4 billion and the carrying value of long-term debt was $1.5 billion.

 

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Comprehensive income (loss) –The Company records changes in its net assets from non-owner sources in its Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity. Such changes relate primarily to valuing its pension liabilities, net of tax effects. The following table summarizes the changes in other comprehensive income (loss):

 

     Changes to Comprehensive Income (Loss)  
(in thousands)    Pre-Tax     Tax     After-Tax  

Quarter Ended March 25, 2012:

      

Pension and post retirement plans:

      

Unamortized gain

   $ 2,925      $ (1,170   $ 1,755   

Prior service cost

     (275     110        (165

Other comprehensive loss related to equity investments

     (976     391        (585
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,674      $ (669   $ 1,005   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Quarter Ended March 27, 2011:

      

Pension and post retirement plans:

      

Unamortized gain

   $ 1,275      $ (510   $ 765   

Prior service cost

     (275     110        (165

Other comprehensive gain related to equity investments

     1,043        (417     626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2,043      $ (817   $ 1,226   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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, restricted stock units and restricted stock and are computed using the treasury stock method. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents are excluded from diluted EPS. The weighted average anti-dilutive stock options that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the weighted average share calculation is summarized below:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
 
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
 

Anti-dilutive stock options

     7.7 million         8.0 million   

New accounting pronouncements–In May 2011, the FASB issued a single authoritative guidance on a framework on how to measure fair value and on what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The FASB also clarified existing fair value measurement disclosures and made other amendments to current guidance. These amended standards and the adoption of this disclosure-only guidance was effective for the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2012 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results.

 

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In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in previous guidance and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. This amended guidance was effective for the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2012 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results or disclosures.

 

NOTE 2. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES AND MIAMI LAND

The following is the Company’s ownership interest and investment in unconsolidated companies and joint ventures as of March 25, 2012, and December 25, 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

Company

   % Ownership
Interest
     March 25,
2012
     December 25,
2011
 

CareerBuilder, LLC

     15.0       $ 220,283       $ 218,805   

Classified Ventures, LLC

     25.6         71,116         66,886   

HomeFinder, LLC

     33.3         1,434         1,628   

Seattle Times Company (C-Corporation)

     49.5         —           —     

Ponderay (general partnership)

     27.0         11,435         11,800   

Other

     Various         5,713         5,774   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 309,981       $ 304,893   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company uses the equity method of accounting for a majority of investments.

During the three months ended March 25, 2012, McClatchy’s proportionate share of net income from certain investees listed in the table above was greater than 20% of McClatchy’s consolidated net income before taxes. Summarized income statement information for these companies for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
 

Revenues

   $ 295,513       $ 265,046   

Operating income

     38,023         25,494   

Net income

     37,536         28,479   

On January 31, 2011, the original contract to sell certain land in Miami terminated because the buyer did not consummate the transaction by the closing deadline in the contract. Under the terms of an agreement with the developer, McClatchy is entitled to receive a $7.0 million termination fee and has filed a claim against the developer to secure payment. However, the Company has not recorded any amounts in its financial statements related to this fee pending the resolution of this claim. McClatchy previously received approximately $16.5 million in nonrefundable deposits, which it used to repay debt.

On May 27, 2011, the Company sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including the building holding the operations of one of its subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and an adjacent parking lot for a purchase price of $236.0 million. Approximately 9.4 acres of the Miami land was previously subject to

 

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the original contract, which was terminated as discussed above. The Company received cash proceeds of $230.0 million, and an additional $6.0 million was held in an escrow account, payable to McClatchy once expenses are incurred related to the relocation of its Miami operations. The $6.0 million was released from escrow and received by McClatchy in April 2012 for payment of costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

Under the sale agreement, The Miami Herald Media Company will continue to operate from its existing location through May 2013 rent free. Because the Company will not pay rent for this period, the Company is deemed to have continuing involvement in the property. As a result, under generally accepted accounting principles, the sale is treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, the Company will continue to depreciate the carrying value of the building in its financial statements until its operations are moved, and no gain or loss has been recognized on the transaction.

As a result of the accounting treatment described above, the Company has recorded a liability (in financing obligations) equal to the sales proceeds received in the second quarter of 2011 ($230.0 million). The Company is required to impute rent based on market rates. The imputed rent will be reflected as interest expense as required by generally accepted accounting principles until the operations are moved. The Company expects to recognize a gain of approximately $10 million at the time the operations are moved because there will no longer be a continuing involvement with the Miami property.

In the first quarter of 2012 the Company purchased approximately 6.1 acres of land located in Doral, Fla., for approximately $3.1 million. McClatchy is building a new production facility on this site for its Miami newspapers operations. In January 2012 the Company entered into an agreement to lease a two-story office building adjacent to the future production facility. The newspapers plan to relocate their operations from their current location to the new site in May 2013.

The lease on the office building is an operating lease with initial annual base lease payments of $1.8 million beginning in May 2013 when the building is expected to be occupied. Total costs related to relocating the newspapers’ operations and for constructing the new production facility, including the purchase of the property, construction costs, accelerated depreciation and moving expenses, is estimated to be as follows:

 

   

Cash outlay for capital expenditures related to the new facilities are estimated to be $32 million. The Company began incurring these costs in the first quarter of 2012.

 

   

Cash expenses to relocate the Miami newspapers’ operations are expected to be $11 million.

 

   

Accelerated depreciation of $13 million is expected to be incurred on existing assets expected to be retired or decommissioned in connection with the relocation.

 

   

Cash costs of $6 million in connection with the relocation were reimbursed in April 2012 from an escrow account established for this purpose by the purchaser of the existing Miami facilities.

The relocation is expected to be completed in May 2013, and accordingly, the costs and expenses are expected to be incurred through the third quarter of 2013.

 

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NOTE 3. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Intangible assets and goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 25, 2012  
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
 

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

       

Advertiser and subscriber lists

   $ 803,840       $ (435,669   $ 368,171   

Other

     31,121         (31,005     116   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 834,961       $ (466,674     368,287   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Other intangible assets not subject to amortization:

       

Newspaper mastheads

          203,587   
       

 

 

 

Total

          571,874   

Goodwill

          1,012,011   
       

 

 

 

Total intangible assets and goodwill

        $ 1,583,885   
       

 

 

 

 

      December 25, 2011  
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Amount
 

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

       

Advertiser and subscriber lists

   $ 803,840       $ (421,392   $ 382,448   

Other

     31,121         (30,996     125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 834,961       $ (452,388     382,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Other intangible assets not subject to amortization:

       

Newspaper mastheads

          203,587   
       

 

 

 

Total

          586,160   

Goodwill

          1,012,011   
       

 

 

 

Total intangible assets and goodwill

        $ 1,598,171   
       

 

 

 

Changes in indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill as of March 25, 2012, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Original Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Impairment
    Carrying
Amount
 

Mastheads

   $ 683,000       $ (479,413   $ 203,587   

Goodwill

     3,587,007         (2,574,996     1,012,011   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,270,007       $ (3,054,409   $ 1,215,598   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Amortization expense with respect to intangible assets is summarized below:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
 
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
 

Amortization expense

   $ 14.3 million       $ 15.2 million   

The estimated remaining amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

   Amortization
Expense
 

2012 (remainder)

   $ 43,873   

2013

     57,004   

2014

     52,524   

2015

     48,030   

2016

     47,721   

 

NOTE 4. LONG-TERM DEBT

As of March 25, 2012, and December 25, 2011, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

            Carrying Value  
     Face Value at
March 25,
2012
     March 25,
2012
     December 25,
2011
 

Notes:

        

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

   $ 846,000       $ 839,049       $ 843,652   

4.625% notes due in 2014

     81,438         77,760         77,406   

5.750% notes due in 2017

     306,138         290,473         318,624   

7.150% debentures due in 2027

     89,188         82,989         82,891   

6.875% debentures due in 2029

     276,230         255,210         254,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 1,598,994       $ 1,545,481       $ 1,577,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 25, 2012, the Company repurchased $35.5 million of notes in privately negotiated transactions, as follows (in thousands):

 

     Face Value  

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

   $ 5,000   

5.750% notes due in 2017

     30,500   
  

 

 

 

Total notes repurchased

   $ 35,500   
  

 

 

 

 

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The Company repurchased most of these notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes it purchased resulting in a net gain on the extinguishment of debt of $4.4 million for the three months ended March 25, 2012.

The Company’s outstanding notes are stated net of unamortized discounts (totaling $53.5 million and $57.0 million as of March 25, 2012, and December 25, 2011, respectively) resulting from recording such assumed liabilities at fair value as of the June 27, 2006, acquisition of Knight Ridder, Inc. and the issuance of the 11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017 at an original issue discount.

Debt Refinancing:

On January 26, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its credit agreement that became effective on February 11, 2010, immediately prior to the closing of an offering of $875.0 million of senior secured notes, referred to as the 2017 Notes, as described below. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement required a substantial reduction in bank debt and allowed for the early retirement of other bond debt using the proceeds of the secured notes offering. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the credit agreement at the time of the refinancing.

In connection with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company issued new 11.50% senior secured notes due February 15, 2017, totaling $875.0 million (the 2017 Notes). The 2017 Notes are secured by a first-priority lien on certain of McClatchy’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ assets and rank equally with liens granted under McClatchy’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The assets securing the debt are unchanged from the original credit agreement and include intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain other assets.

On December 16, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement) to, among other things, remove certain restrictions on the ability to repurchase its publicly traded bonds, to repay the remaining bank term loans and to reduce the lenders’ revolving loan commitments under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a $125.0 million revolving credit facility, including a $100.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The Credit Agreement will terminate on July 1, 2013.

At March 25, 2012, the Company had no outstanding amounts drawn under its Credit Agreement and had outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Agreement totaling $46.0 million securing estimated obligations arising from workers’ compensation claims and other contingent claims. At March 25, 2012, net of these letters of credit, a total of $79.0 million was available under the Company’s revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement.

Debt under the Credit Agreement incurs interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 425 basis points to 575 basis points or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 325 basis points to 475 basis points. In each case, the applicable spread is based upon the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). In the case of a LIBOR spread, the Credit Agreement sets a floor on LIBOR for the purposes of interest payments of no less than 300 basis points (except for working capital borrowings, which are not subject to the 300 basis point floor and are limited to $45.0 million and a 30 day term). A commitment fee for the unused revolving credit is priced at 50 basis points to 75 basis points based upon the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of March 25, 2012, the Company paid interest on borrowings under the Credit Agreement at a rate of 425 basis points over the 300 basis point LIBOR floor (or 7.25%) and paid 50.0 basis points for commitment fees.

 

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The Credit Agreement contains quarterly financial covenants including requirements that the Company maintain a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 1.50 to 1.00. The Company is required to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 6.25 to 1.00 from the quarter ending in March 2012 through the quarter ending in December 2012, decreasing to 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain at least $50.0 million of available liquidity, defined as the sum of cash equivalents plus the amount available under the Company’s revolving facility, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement includes limitations on additional debt.

The Credit agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend when the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is greater than 4.50 to 1.00. Dividends of up to $10 million annually may be paid when leverage is between 4.50 to 1.00 and 4.00 to 1.00 and the amount of dividends allowed increases at lower leverage ratios.

At March 25, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all its financial debt covenants. Because of the significance of the Company’s outstanding debt, remaining in compliance with debt covenants is critical to the Company’s operations. If revenue declines continue beyond those currently anticipated, the Company expects to continue to restructure operations and reduce debt to maintain compliance with its covenants.

Senior Secured Notes: The 2017 Notes are governed by an indenture entered into on February 11, 2010, which includes a number of covenants that are applicable to the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 2017 Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or subordinated obligations; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to the Company; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and consolidate or merge with or into other companies or sell all or substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole.

Substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and 2017 Notes (senior secured debt). Each of the guarantor subsidiaries is 100% owned by The McClatchy Company. Following the sale of land in Miami (see Note 2) on May 27, 2011, the Company has no significant independent assets or operations separate from the subsidiaries that guarantee its senior secured debt. The guarantees provided by the guarantor subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of McClatchy other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

In addition, the Company has granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 2017 Notes that include, but are not limited to, intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain minority investments as collateral for the debt. The security interest does not include any land, buildings, machinery and equipment (PP&E) and any leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E, which would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries and shares of stock and indebtedness of the subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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The following table presents the approximate annual maturities of debt as of March 25, 2012, based upon the Company’s required payments for the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

 

Year

   Payments  

2012

   $ —     

2013

     —     

2014

     81,438   

2015

     —     

2016

     —     

Thereafter

     1,517,556   
  

 

 

 

Debt principal

   $ 1,598,994   
  

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Contribution of Cash and Real Property to Qualified Defined Benefit Plan: In January 2012, the Company contributed $40.0 million in cash to its qualified defined benefit pension plan. In January 2011, the Company contributed Company-owned real property from seven locations to its qualified defined benefit pension plan. The pension plan obtained independent appraisals of the property, and based on these appraisals the plan recorded the contribution (the fair value of the property) at $49.7 million.

The Company entered into leases for the seven contributed properties for 10 years and expects to continue to use the seven properties in its newspaper operations. The properties are managed on behalf of the pension plan by an independent fiduciary.

The contribution and leaseback of the properties were treated as a financing transaction and, accordingly, the Company will continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in its financial statements, and no gain or loss has been recognized on the contribution. The Company’s pension obligation has been reduced by $49.7 million, and a long-term and short-term financing obligation was recorded on the date of the contribution. The financing obligation is reduced by a portion of lease payments made to the pension plan each month and the balance of this obligation at March 25, 2012, was $47.6 million.

The Company does not currently intend to make any additional contributions to its qualified defined pension plan during fiscal 2012.

Retirement Plans Expenses: The Company’s defined benefit plans were frozen in March 2009. The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan (retirement plan), which covers a majority of its employees hired prior to March 31, 2009. Benefits are based on age, years of service and compensation.

The Company also has a limited number of supplemental retirement plans to provide key employees hired prior to March 31, 2009, with additional retirement benefits. 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 Company also provides for or subsidizes post-retirement health care and certain life insurance benefits for employees and has as a deferred compensation plan (401(k) plan) for its

 

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employees, which enables qualified employees to voluntarily defer compensation. The 401(k) plan includes a matching company contribution and a supplemental contribution that is tied to Company performance (as defined in the plan). The Company temporarily suspended its matching contribution to the 401(k) plan in 2009, and it has not yet been reinstated.

The elements of retirement expense for continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 25,
2012
    March 27,
2011
 

Service cost

   $ 1,375      $ 1,400   

Interest cost

     22,900        23,550   

Expected return on plan assets

     (26,975     (24,025

Actuarial loss

     3,075        1,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net pension expense

     375        2,325   

Net post-retirement benefit

     (150     (50
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total retirement expenses-net

   $ 225      $ 2,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingent claims: Libel, employment (including wage and hour) and other legal actions have arisen in the ordinary course of business and are pending against the Company. From time to time the Company is involved as a party in various governmental proceedings, including environmental matters. Management believes, after reviewing such actions with counsel, that the expected outcome of pending actions will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, although no assurances can be given. No material amounts for any losses from litigation that may ultimately occur have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements as management believes that any such losses are not probable.

The Company has certain indemnification obligations related to workers’ compensation claims and multiemployer pension plans of disposed newspaper operations. Management believes the remaining obligations related to disposed newspapers are not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The McClatchy Company is a leading news, advertising and information provider, offering a wide array of print and digital products in each of the markets it serves. As the third largest newspaper company in the United States, McClatchy’s operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. The Company’s largest newspapers include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C.

McClatchy also owns a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder LLC, which operates the nation’s largest online job site, CareerBuilder.com, 25.6% of Classified Ventures LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental site Apartments.com, and 33.3% of HomeFinder LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com.

McClatchy announced on March 21, 2012 that its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Pruitt, is stepping down effective May 16, 2012, to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Associated Press. McClatchy’s long-time Chief Financial Officer, Pat Talamantes, will become the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. Pruitt’s departure. Kevin McClatchy, a member of McClatchy’s board of directors since 1998, will replace Mr. Pruitt as Chairman of the Board.

The Company’s primary source of revenue is print and digital advertising, which accounted for 72.8% of the Company’s revenue for the first quarter of 2012. All categories of advertising discussed below include both print and digital advertising. Classified advertising as a percentage of total advertising revenues were 28.3% in the first quarter of 2012. Revenues from retail advertising carried as a part of newspapers (run of press or ROP advertising), advertising inserts placed in newspapers (preprint advertising) and/or advertising sold digitally were 51.1% of total advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2012. National advertising was 7.2% of total advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2012. Direct marketing largely made up the remaining 13.4% of the Company’s advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2012 and has been growing as a percent of advertising revenues since early 2010.

Circulation revenues contributed 23.0% of the Company’s revenues in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 21.8% in the first quarter of 2011. Most of the Company’s newspapers are delivered by independent contractors. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs.

See “Results of Operations” for a discussion of the Company’s revenue performance and contribution by category for the three months ended March 25, 2012, and March 27, 2011.

Recent Events and Trends

Advertising Revenues:

Advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011 decreased as a result of the continuing weak economy and the secular shift in advertising demand from print to

 

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digital products. Still, the declines in the first quarter of 2012 were smaller than the year-over-year declines experienced in the first quarter of 2011 and full-year 2011 compared to previous corresponding periods.

Despite declines in advertising revenue as a whole, certain advertising revenue categories grew in the first quarter of 2012, including digital and direct marketing advertising. Digital advertising grew 2.7% in the first three months of 2012 compared to the first three months of 2011. Digital results include both digital sales bundled with print and digital advertising sold on a stand-alone basis. Digital-only advertising revenues have consistently grown faster than digital advertising sold in conjunction with print products and grew 14.0% from the three-month period in 2011. Direct marketing revenues were up 1.5% compared to the three-month period in 2011. See the revenue discussions in management’s review of the Company’s “Results of Operations.”

Sale of Real Property in Miami and Subsequent Plans for Relocation:

Sale Transaction: On May 27, 2011, the Company sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including the building holding the operations of one of its subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and an adjacent parking lot for a purchase price of $236.0 million. Approximately 9.4 acres of the Miami land was previously subject to a contract with another buyer that terminated in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 (See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a greater discussion of the original contract.). The Company received cash proceeds of $230.0 million in 2011, and an additional $6.0 million was released from escrow and received in April 2012 as reimbursement of costs associated with its relocation (discussed below).

The Miami Herald Media Company will continue to operate from its existing location through May 2013 rent free. Because the Company will not pay rent for the two-year period, the Company is deemed to have continuing involvement in the property. As a result, under generally accepted accounting principles, the sale is treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, the Company will continue to depreciate the carrying value of the building in its financial statements and no gain or loss has been recognized on the transaction until its operations are moved.

The Company used $163.0 million of the sale proceeds to make a contribution to its qualified defined benefit pension plan and used the remaining portion of the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the payment of interest and taxes and for debt reduction.

Relocation Plans: In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company purchased approximately 6.1 acres of land located in Doral, Fla., for approximately $3.1 million. McClatchy is building a new production facility on this site for its Miami newspapers’ operations. In January 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to lease a two-story office building adjacent to the future production facility. The newspapers plan to relocate their operations from their current location to the new site in May 2013.

 

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The lease on the office building is an operating lease with initial annual base lease payments of $1.8 million beginning in May 2013 when the building is expected to be occupied. Total costs related to relocating the newspapers’ operations and for constructing the new production facility, including the purchase of the property, construction costs, accelerated depreciation and moving expenses, is estimated as follows:

 

   

Cash outlays for capital expenditures related to the new facilities are estimated to be $32 million.

 

   

Cash expenses to relocate the Miami newspapers’ operations are expected to be $11 million.

 

   

Accelerated depreciation of $13 million is expected to be incurred on existing assets expected to be retired or decommissioned in connection with the relocation.

 

   

Cash costs of $6 million in connection with the relocation were reimbursed in April 2012 from an escrow account established for this purpose by the purchaser of the existing Miami facilities.

The relocation is expected to be completed in May 2013, and, accordingly, the costs and expenses are expected to be incurred through the third quarter of 2013.

Bond Repurchases:

During the second quarter the Company has repurchased $15.0 million aggregate of principal amount of its 4.625% notes due in 2014 and $20.0 million of aggregate principal amounts of its 5.75% notes due in 2017 in privately-negotiated transactions.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a description of certain critical accounting policies, including those with respect to goodwill and intangible impairment, pension and post-retirement benefits, income taxes, and insurance. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies described in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Fiscal Quarter of 2012 Compared to First Fiscal Quarter of 2011

The Company reported a net loss in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per share. The Company’s net loss in first fiscal quarter of 2011 was $2.0 million, or $0.02 per share.

Revenues:

Revenues in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 were $288.3 million, down 5.1% from revenues of $303.7 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Advertising revenues were $209.8 million in the first fiscal quarter of fiscal 2012, down 6.8% from advertising revenues in the first fiscal quarter of 2011, and circulation revenues were $66.4 million, up 0.4% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011.

 

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The following summarizes the Company’s revenues by category, which compares the first fiscal quarter of 2012 with the first fiscal quarter of 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended  
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
     %
Change
 

Advertising:

        

Retail

   $ 107,129       $ 114,438         (6.4 )% 

National

     15,130         18,096         (16.4 )% 

Classified:

        

Auto

     20,498         20,608         (0.5 )% 

Employment

     12,344         13,480         (8.4 )% 

Real estate

     9,413         11,644         (19.2 )% 

Other

     17,183         19,104         (10.1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total classified

     59,438         64,836         (8.3 )% 

Direct marketing and other

     28,067         27,743         1.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total advertising

     209,764         225,113         (6.8 )% 

Circulation

     66,403         66,167         0.4

Other

     12,134         12,454         (2.6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total revenues

   $ 288,301       $ 303,734         (5.1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Retail advertising revenues decreased $7.3 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, or 6.4%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011 primarily reflecting lower run-of-press (ROP) revenues in consumer electronics, building and home centers and general merchandising retailers as well as lower preprint revenues. Comparing the first fiscal quarter of 2012 to 2011, retail advertising revenues changed as follows: Print ROP advertising revenues decreased $4.7 million, or 9.7%, and preprint advertising revenues decreased $4.4 million, or 9.1%. Digital retail advertising revenues increased $1.8 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2012, or 10.7% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011, reflecting strong results from the Company’s dealsaver® group buying service.

National advertising revenues decreased $3.0 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, or 16.4%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. The decline in total national advertising revenues was broad-based but was led by declines in advertising in the telecommunications segment in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Print national advertising revenues declined 13.6%, and digital national advertising decreased 23.6% from the first fiscal 2011 quarter.

Classified advertising revenues decreased $5.4 million, or 8.3%, the first fiscal quarter of 2012 from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Print classified advertising declined $6.0 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, or 14.4%, while digital classified advertising increased $0.6 million, up 2.4%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. The following is a discussion of the major classified advertising categories for the first fiscal quarter of 2012:

 

   

Automotive advertising revenues decreased $0.1 million, or 0.5%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Automotive advertising continues to migrate to digital advertising. As a result, print automotive advertising revenues declined 10.7%, while digital automotive advertising revenues were up 12.0% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011.

 

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Employment advertising revenues decreased $1.1 million, or 8.4%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011, reflecting a continued slow recovery in employment across the Company’s markets. The declines were reflected both in print employment advertising revenues, down 10.8%, and online employment advertising revenues, down 6.3%.

 

   

Real estate advertising revenues decreased $2.2 million, or 19.2%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011 as this sector of the economy has also been slow to recover from the recession. In total, print real estate advertising revenues declined 23.8%, while digital advertising revenues declined 8.6%.

 

   

Other classified advertising revenues, which include legal, remembrance and celebration notices, and miscellaneous advertising, was down $1.9 million, or 10.1%, in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Other classified print advertising revenues decreased 13.7% as compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2011, and other classified digital advertising revenues grew 6.0%.

Digital advertising revenues, which are included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, totaled $46.6 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, an increase of 2.7% as compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Digital-only advertising revenues, which totaled $24.8 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, grew 14.0% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011, while digital advertising revenues sold in conjunction with print products declined 7.7% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011 reflecting fewer print advertising sales.

Direct marketing and other revenues increased $0.3 million, or 1.2%, in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. The growth primarily reflected continued success of the Company’s print and deliver program for small advertisers and its “Sunday Select” product. Sunday Select is a package of preprints delivered to non-newspaper subscribers upon request.

Circulation revenues in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 increased $0.2 million, or 0.4%, from the first fiscal quarter of 2011, primarily reflecting selective price increases which offset lower circulation volumes. The Company expects circulation volumes to remain lower in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 reflecting selective price increases and the fragmentation of audiences faced by all media as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change.

 

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Operating Expenses:

Operating expenses in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 declined $23.0 million, or 8.1% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Operating expenses in both fiscal quarters included restructuring-related severance as the Company continues to restructure its operations. The first fiscal quarter of 2012 also included $2.9 million of accelerated depreciation on equipment and moving expenses related to the relocation of the Company’s Miami newspaper operations. The following table summarizes operating expenses, including the impact of restructuring charges and other items included in the operating expenses in the 2012 and 2011 quarters (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended         
     March 25,
2012
     March 27,
2011
     Dollar
Change
 

Operating expenses as reported

   $ 260,326       $ 283,279       $ (22,953

Restructuring charges and other items

     4,064         14,851         (10,787

Compensation expense as reported

   $ 112,649         124,357       $ (11,708

Compensation-related restructuring charges

     1,171         4,549         (3,378

Compensation expenses decreased $11.7 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012, or 9.4% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011 and included the restructuring charges discussed above. Payroll expenses were down 8.6% reflecting, in part, a 9.9% decline in average headcount. Fringe benefits costs declined 12.9% reflecting lower retirement and medical costs compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2011.

Newsprint, supplement and printing expense decreased 2.9% in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011. Newsprint expense was down 4.0% in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 primarily reflecting lower newsprint usage. Supplement and printing expense increased 0.9% compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2011 reflecting lower supplement expenses offset by higher costs of outsourced printing compared to the 2011 fiscal quarter. Depreciation and amortization expenses were down 1.6% from the first fiscal quarter of 2011 due to expiring useful lives of assets, which were partially offset by $2.0 million of accelerated depreciation in the 2012 quarter on certain assets at the Company’s Miami operations. Other operating costs decreased 10.5% in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 as compared to the same quarter in 2011, reflecting company-wide cost controls. Other operating costs in fiscal 2012 included $0.9 million of Miami-related moving costs, while costs in fiscal 2011 included impairment charges of $10.3 million related restructuring events.

Interest:

Interest expense was $42.5 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2012, up $1.5 million, or 3.7% from interest expense of $40.9 million in the 2011. While interest on debt was lower in the 2012 quarter, the Company recorded $1.7 million in imputed interest on financial obligations primarily related to the use of the sold Miami property and recorded $3.0 million of higher non-cash interest on tax reserves.

Equity Income:

Total income from unconsolidated investments was $6.0 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to $3.2 million in 2011 and primarily reflects stronger earnings from the Company’s internet-related investments.

Income Taxes:

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1.9 million, or an effective benefit rate of 47.8%, for the first fiscal quarter of 2012. The benefit reflects taxes on discrete items. Excluding the taxes on discrete items the effective benefit rate was 42.4% and reflects a combination of federal taxes at the federal statutory rate of 35.0% plus state taxes net of federal provision of 7.4%.

 

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In the first fiscal quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16.5 million on a pre-tax loss of $18.5 million. The benefit included a favorable settlement of certain state tax issues that totaled $7.6 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2011. Excluding the impact of this settlement, the net tax benefit was $9.0 million and resulted in a benefit rate of 48.1%. This benefit rate was higher than the statutory rate expected primarily because of state taxes, including certain taxes that do not vary with income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $24.4 million as of March 25, 2012, compared to $4.3 million of cash at March 27, 2011, and $86.0 million at the end of fiscal 2011.

Operating Activities:

The Company used $24.4 million of cash from operating activities in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to generating $8.4 million of cash from operations in the first fiscal quarter of 2011. The increased use of cash in 2012 primarily related to the cash contribution made to the Company’s pension plan as discussed below.

The Company made a $40.0 million cash contribution to its defined benefit pension plan in January 2012 to meet its required contribution, while in 2011 the Company contributed certain of its real property to meet its required funding (a non-cash transaction). The property contributed in 2011 was appraised at $49.7 million and is discussed further in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of December 25, 2011, the projected benefit obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plan exceeded plan assets by $422.5 million. The excess of benefit obligations over pension assets is expected to give rise to required pension contributions over the next several years. The Pension Relief Act of 2010 (PRA) provides relief in the funding requirements of the qualified defined benefit pension plan, and the Company elected an option that allows the required contributions related to its 2009 and 2011 plan years to be paid over 15 years. Even with the relief provided, however, based on the current funding position of the pension plan, management expects future contributions to be required but also expects contributions in future years to be manageable using the Company’s expected cash from operations.

While amounts of future contributions are subject to numerous assumptions, including, among others, changes in interest rates, returns on assets in the pension plan and future government regulations, the Company estimates that approximately $77.6 million will be required to be contributed to the qualified defined benefit plan over 2013 and 2014. The timing and amount of these payments reflects actuarial estimates the Company believes to be reasonable but are subject to changes in estimates. Management believes cash from operations will be sufficient to satisfy its contribution requirements.

Investing Activities:

The Company used $6.5 million of cash from investing activities in the first fiscal quarter of 2012. The Company received proceeds of $0.4 million primarily from the sale of certain other assets that

 

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were no longer in use. The Company used $7.0 million for the purchase of property plant and equipment and expects capital expenditures to be approximately $45.0 million in 2012, including the capital expenditures related to the new Miami facilities (See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a greater discussion of the Miami facilities being built.).

Financing Activities:

The Company used $30.7 million from financing activities in the first fiscal quarter of 2012. The Company repurchased $35.5 million of aggregate principal amount of bonds for $29.4 million in cash in privately negotiated transactions in the first three months of 2012.

The Company expects that most of its free cash flow generated from operations in the foreseeable future will be used to repay debt, fund its capital expenditures and make required contribution to its defined benefit pension plan. Management believes that free cash flow is adequate to meet the liquidity needs of the Company over the next 12 months.

Debt and Related Matters:

Credit Agreement:    On January 26, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its credit agreement that became effective on February 11, 2010, immediately prior to the closing of an offering of $875.0 million of senior secured notes, referred to as the 2017 Notes below.

In connection with the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company issued its 11.5% senior secured notes due February 15, 2017, totaling $875.0 million (the 2017 Notes). The 2017 Notes are secured by a first-priority lien on certain of McClatchy’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ assets and will rank equally with liens granted under McClatchy’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The assets securing the 2017 Notes are unchanged from the original credit agreement and include intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain other assets.

On December 16, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement) to, among other things, remove certain restrictions on the ability to repurchase its publicly traded bonds, to repay the remaining bank term loans and to reduce the lenders’ revolving loan commitments under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a $125 million revolving credit facility, including a $100.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The Credit Agreement will terminate on July 1, 2013.

At March 25, 2012, the Company had no amounts drawn under its Credit Agreement and had outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Agreement totaling $46.0 million securing estimated obligations stemming from workers’ compensation claims and other contingent claims. At March 25, 2012, net of these letters of credit, a total of $79.0 million was available under the Company’s revolving facility under the Credit Agreement.

Debt under the Credit Agreement incurs interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 425 basis points to 575 basis points or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 325 basis points to 475 basis points. In each case, the applicable spread is based upon the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). In the case of a LIBOR spread, the Credit Agreement sets a floor on LIBOR for the purposes of interest payments of no less than 300 basis points (except for working capital borrowings, which are not subject to the 300 basis point floor and are limited to $45.0 million and a 30 day term). A commitment fee for the unused revolving credit is priced at 50 basis points to 75 basis points based upon the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of March 25, 2012, the Company paid interest on borrowings under the Credit Agreement at a rate of 425 basis points over the 300 basis point LIBOR floor (or 7.25%) and pays 50.0 basis points for commitment fees.

 

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The Credit Agreement contains quarterly financial covenants including requirements that the Company maintain a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 1.50 to 1.00. The Company is required to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 6.25 to 1.00 from the quarter ending in March 2012 through the quarter ending in December 2012, decreasing to 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain at least $50.0 million of available liquidity, defined as the sum of cash equivalents plus the amount available under the Company’s revolving facility, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement includes limitations on additional debt.

The Credit agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend when the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is greater than 4.50 to 1.00. Dividends of up to $10 million annually may be paid when leverage is between 4.50 to 1.00 and 4.00 to 1.00 and the amount of dividends allowed increases at lower leverage ratios.

At March 25, 2012, the Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 2.26 to 1.0, its consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 4.56 to 1.0 and its available liquidity was $103.4 million, and the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants. Because of the significance of the Company’s outstanding debt, remaining in compliance with debt covenants is critical to the Company’s operations. If revenue declines continue beyond those currently anticipated, the Company expects to continue to restructure operations and reduce debt to maintain compliance with its covenants.

Senior Secured Notes:    The 2017 Notes are governed by an indenture entered into on February 11, 2010, which includes a number of covenants that are applicable to the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 2017 Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or subordinated obligations; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to the Company; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and consolidate or merge with or into other companies or sell all or substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole.

Substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and 2017 Notes. In addition, the Company has granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 2017 Notes that include, but are not limited to, intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain minority investments as collateral for the debt. The security interest does not include any land, buildings, machinery and equipment (PP&E) and any leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E, which would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries, and shares of stock and indebtedness of the subsidiaries of the Company.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements:

As of March 25, 2012, the Company did not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

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Contractual Obligations:

As of March 25, 2012, the Company’s contractual obligations were reduced from the end of fiscal 2011 by the following:

 

   

repayment of $35.5 million in debt principal in the first three months of fiscal 2012,

 

   

reduction in the underfunded pension liability for the qualified defined benefit pension plan by $40 million.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Substantially all of the Company’s outstanding debt is composed of fixed-rate bonds and, therefore, are not subject to interest rate fluctuations.

The discount rate used to measure the Company’s obligations under its qualified defined benefit pension plan is generally based upon long-term interest rates on highly-rated corporate bonds. Hence, changes in long-term interest rates may have a significant impact on the funding position of the Company’s qualified defined pension plan. Management estimates that a 1.0% increase in its discount rate could decrease its pension obligations by approximately $200 million.

See the discussion at “Recent Events and Trends – 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:

The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a—15(e) or 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, 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 the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first fiscal quarter of 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in previous guidance and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a

 

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continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. This amended guidance was effective for the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2012.

In addition, registrants will be required to present reclassification adjustments from OCI to net income on the face of the financial statements. The amendments require retrospective application and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.

The following presents the retrospective application of the new guidance for the three years ended December 25, 2011 (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended  
     December 25,
2011
    December 26,
2010
    December 27,
2009
 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 54,389      $ 36,183      $ 50,587   

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

      

NET OF TAXES:

      

Pension and post retirement plans:

      

Unamortized gain (loss)

     (99,447     8,050        67,539   

Prior service credit

     (640     (640     368   

Other comprehensive income (loss) related to investment in unconsolidated companies

     (506     53        (119
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

     (100,593     7,463        67,788   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (46,204   $ 43,646      $ 118,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company has significant competition in the market for news and advertising, which may reduce its advertising and circulation revenues in the future.

The Company’s primary source of revenues is advertising, followed by circulation. In recent years, the advertising industry generally has experienced a secular shift toward internet advertising and away from other traditional media. In addition, the Company’s circulation has declined, reflecting general trends in the newspaper industry, including consumer migration toward the internet and other media for news and information. The Company faces increasing competition from other digital sources for both advertising and circulation revenues. This competition has intensified as a result of the continued developments of digital media technologies. Distribution of news, entertainment and other information over the internet, as well as through mobile phones, tablets and other devices, continues to increase in popularity. These technological developments are increasing the number of media choices available to advertisers and audiences. As media audiences fragment, the Company expects advertisers to continue to allocate larger portions of their advertising budgets to digital media. This increased competition has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results, including negatively impacting revenues and operating income.

 

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Weak general economic and business conditions subject the Company to risks of declines in advertising revenues.

Despite some signs of recovery, the U. S. economy continues to be in a period of economic uncertainty. Certain aspects of the economy, including real estate, employment and consumer confidence, remain challenging. These economic conditions have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s advertising revenues. To the extent these economic conditions continue or worsen, the Company’s business and advertising revenues will be adversely affected, which could negatively impact the Company’s operations and cash flows and the Company’s ability to meet the covenants in its senior secured credit agreement. In addition, seasonal variations in consumer spending cause our quarterly advertising revenues to fluctuate. Second- and fourth-quarter advertising revenues are typically higher than first- and third-quarter advertising revenues, reflecting the slower economic activity in the winter and summer and the stronger fourth-quarter holiday season. If general economic conditions and other factors cause a decline in revenues, particularly during the second or fourth quarters, the Company may not be able to grow or maintain its revenues for the year, which would have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

Our quarterly financial results have fluctuated in the past and will fluctuate in the future. As a result, you should not rely upon our past quarterly financial results as indicators of future performance.

Our financial results in any given quarter can be influenced by numerous factors, many of which we are unable to predict or are outside of our control, including:

 

   

the timing of our investments, restructuring plans and capital expenditures;

 

   

expenses associated with our long-term plans, including our construction of and relocation to a new production facility and offices in Miami;

 

   

our ability to implement cost controls; and

 

   

the effect of the overall economy on our revenues, particularly advertising revenues related to employment, real estate and consumer goods.

 

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The Company has a contract to sell its existing Miami facilities and related land that requires it to vacate the existing facilities and release the land to the buyers by the end of May 2013. If the construction of the Company’s new facilities for its Miami newspaper operations is not completed by the end of May 2013, the Company may incur substantial unscheduled additional costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

On May 27, 2011, the Company sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including the building holding the operations of one of its subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company. The Miami Herald Media Company will continue to operate from its existing location through May 2013 while its new facilities are being constructed. Under the sales contract, the Company will remain in its current facilities rent free through May 2013, but the Company must vacate the facilities by the end May 2013 and release the land to the purchaser.

If the Company is unable to complete the construction of new facilities and move its Miami newspaper operations to the new facilities by May 2013, or if the relocation is otherwise delayed, the Company may incur substantial costs to produce its newspapers using third-party vendors, or it may not be able to conduct a portion or all of its business until the relocation occurs. In addition, there could be substantial penalties required as a result of breaching the sales agreement to vacate existing facilities by the May 2013 deadline. Any additional costs would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

If management is unable to execute cost-control measures successfully, total operating costs may be greater than expected, which may adversely affect the Company’s profitability.

As a result of recent adverse general economic and business conditions and the Company’s operating results, the Company has taken steps to lower operating costs by reducing workforce and implementing general cost-control measures. If the Company does not achieve its expected savings from these initiatives, or if operating costs increase as a result of these initiatives, total operating costs may be greater than anticipated. Although management believes that appropriate steps have been taken and are being taken to implement cost-control efforts, such efforts may affect the Company’s business and its ability to generate future revenue. Portions of the Company’s expenses are fixed costs that neither increase nor decrease proportionately with revenues. As a result, management is limited in its ability to reduce costs in the short term. If these cost-control efforts do not reduce costs sufficiently, income from continuing operations may decline.

An economic downturn and its impact on the Company’s business may result in goodwill and masthead impairment charges.

The Company recorded masthead impairment charges of $2.8 million in fiscal 2011, $59.6 million in fiscal 2008 and $3.0 billion of goodwill and masthead impairment charges in fiscal 2007 reflecting the economic downturn and the decline in the price of the Company’s publicly traded common stock. Further erosion of general economic, market or business conditions could have a negative impact on the Company’s business and stock price, which may require the Company to record additional impairment charges in the future.

 

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The Company has $1.6 billion in total consolidated debt, which subjects the Company to significant financial risk.

As of March 25, 2012, the Company had approximately $1.6 billion in total principal indebtedness outstanding. This level of debt increases the Company’s vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions. Higher leverage ratios could affect the Company’s future ability to refinance maturing debt or the ultimate structure of such refinancing. In addition, the Company’s credit ratings could affect its ability to refinance its debt.

Covenants in the indenture governing the Company’s 11.50% senior secured notes due 2017 (the 2017 Notes) and its senior secured credit facility restrict the Company’s operations in many ways.

The indenture governing the 2017 Notes and the senior secured credit facility contain various covenants that limit, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability and/or its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

   

incur liens or additional debt or provide guarantees;

 

   

issue redeemable stock and preferred stock;

 

   

pay dividends or make distributions on capital stock or repurchase capital stock or repurchase outstanding notes or debentures prior to their stated maturity;

 

   

make loans, investments or acquisitions;

 

   

enter into agreements that restrict distributions from its subsidiaries;

 

   

create or permit restrictions on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or distributions or guarantee debt or create liens;

 

   

sell assets and capital stock of its subsidiaries;

 

   

enter into certain transactions with its affiliates; and

 

   

dissolve, liquidate, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all its assets to another person.

The restrictions contained in the indenture for the 2017 Notes and the senior secured credit facility could adversely affect the Company’s ability to:

 

   

finance its operations;

 

   

make needed capital expenditures;

 

   

make strategic acquisitions or investments or enter into alliances;

 

   

withstand a future downturn in its business or the economy in general;

 

   

engage in business activities, including future opportunities, that may be in its interest; and

 

   

plan for or react to market conditions or otherwise execute its business strategies.

The Company’s ability to comply with covenants contained in the indenture for the 2017 Notes and the senior secured credit facility may be affected by events beyond its control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. Even if the Company is able to comply with all of the applicable covenants, the restrictions on its ability to manage its business could adversely affect its business by, among other things, limiting its ability to take advantage of financings, mergers, acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that the Company believes would be beneficial to it.

 

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Potential disruptions in the credit markets could adversely affect the availability and cost of short-term funds for liquidity requirements and could adversely affect the Company’s access to capital or to obtain financing at reasonable rates and its ability to refinance existing debt at reasonable rates or at all.

If internal funds are insufficient to fund the Company’s operations, the Company may be required to rely on the banking and credit markets to meet its financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs. Future disruptions in the capital and credit markets, such as were experienced during 2008 and 2009, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to access additional funds in the capital markets or draw on its senior secured credit facility. There can be no assurance that continued or increased volatility and disruption in the capital and credit markets will not impair the Company’s liquidity in future periods. If this should happen, any alternative credit arrangements may not be put in place without a potentially significant increase in the Company’s cost of borrowing.

As of March 25, 2012, the Company had approximately $1.6 billion in total principal indebtedness, consisting of $846 million of publicly-traded senior secured notes and unsecured publicly-traded notes maturing in 2014, 2017, 2027 and 2029. The near-term 2014 notes total $81.4 million. While cash flow should permit the Company to lower the amount of this debt before it matures, a significant portion of this debt will probably need to be refinanced in the future. Access to the capital markets for longer-term financing may be restricted if disruptions in the capital and credit markets occur again as were experienced during 2008 and 2009.

The Company requires newsprint for operations and, therefore, its operating results may be adversely affected if the price of newsprint increases.

Newsprint is the major component of the Company’s cost of raw materials. Newsprint accounted for 10.1% of McClatchy’s operating expenses in the first fiscal quarter of 2012. Accordingly, earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. The price of newsprint has historically been volatile and may increase as a result of various factors, including:

 

   

declining newsprint supply from mill closures;

 

   

reduction in newsprint suppliers because of consolidation in the newsprint industry;

 

   

paper mills reducing their newsprint supply because of switching their production to other paper grades; and

 

   

a decline in the financial situation of newsprint suppliers.

The Company has not attempted to hedge fluctuations in the normal purchases of newsprint or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint. If the price of newsprint increases materially, operating results could be adversely affected. If newsprint suppliers experience labor unrest, transportation difficulties or other supply disruptions, the Company’s ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired and/or the cost of the newsprint could increase, both of which would negatively affect its operating results.

A portion of the Company’s employees are members of unions and if the Company experiences labor unrest, its ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired.

If McClatchy experiences labor unrest, its ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired in some locations. The results of future labor negotiations could harm the Company’s operating results. The Company’s newspapers have not endured a labor strike for decades. However, management cannot ensure that a strike will not occur at one or more of the Company’s newspapers in the future. As of March 25, 2012, approximately 6.1% of full-time and part-time employees were represented by unions. Most of the Company’s union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements, with expiration dates through 2014. McClatchy faces collective bargaining upon the expirations of these labor agreements. Even if its newspapers do not suffer a labor strike, the Company’s operating results could be harmed if the results of labor negotiations restrict its ability to maximize the efficiency of its newspaper operations.

 

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The Company may be required to make greater contributions to its defined benefit pension plans in the next several years than previously required, placing greater liquidity needs upon its operations.

The adverse conditions in the capital markets in 2008 had a significantly negative impact on the investment funds in the Company’s pension plan, which was partially offset by strong returns in the capital markets since the end of 2008. The projected benefit obligations of the qualified pension plan exceeded plan assets by $422.5 million as of December 25, 2011. In early 2012, the Company contributed $40.0 million to its qualified defined benefit pension plan, reducing the underfunded obligation.

The excess of benefit obligations over pension assets is expected to give rise to required pension contributions over the next several years. The Pension Relief Act of 2010 (PRA) provided relief in the funding requirements of the qualified defined benefit pension plan, and the Company has elected an option that allows the funding related to its 2009 and 2011 plan years required contributions to be paid over 15 years. However, even with the relief provided by the PRA, management expects future contributions to be required. In addition, poor capital market performance and/or lower long-term interest rates may result in greater annual contribution requirements.

The Company has invested in certain internet ventures, but such ventures may not be as successful as expected, which could adversely affect the results of operations of the Company.

The Company continues to evaluate its business and make strategic investments in digital ventures, either alone or with partners, to further its growth in its digital businesses. In 2011, McClatchy invested in ShopCo, LLC, a partnership with several other leading media and publishing companies, which provides its Find n Save shopping portal with significant scale. The Company also has investments in CareerBuilder.com, Cars.com, Apartments.com and HomeFinder.com. There can be no assurances that the Company will receive a return on these investments or partnerships will result in advertising growth or will produce equity income or capital gains in future years.

If the Company is not successful in growing its digital businesses, its business, financial condition and prospects will be adversely affected.

The Company’s future growth depends to a significant degree upon the development of its digital businesses. The growth and success of its digital businesses over the long term depend on various factors, including, among other things, the ability to:

 

   

continue to increase digital audiences;

 

   

attract advertisers to its websites;

 

   

maintain or increase the advertising rates on its websites;

 

   

exploit new and existing technologies to distinguish its products and services from those of competitors and develop new content, products and services; and

 

   

invest funds and resources in digital opportunities.

If the Company is not successful in growing its digital businesses, its business, financial condition and prospects will be adversely affected.

 

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Circulation declines could adversely affect the Company’s circulation and advertising revenues.

Advertising and circulation revenues are affected by circulation and readership levels of the Company’s newspapers. In recent years, newspapers have experienced difficulty maintaining or increasing print circulation levels because of a number of factors, including:

 

   

increased competition from other publications and other forms of media technologies available in various markets, including the internet and other new media formats that are often free for users;

 

   

continued fragmentation of media audiences;

 

   

a growing preference among some consumers to receive all or a portion of their news other than from a newspaper;

 

   

increases in subscription and newsstand rates; and

 

   

declining discretionary spending by consumers affected by negative economic conditions.

These factors could also affect the Company’s newspapers’ ability to institute circulation price increases for print products. A prolonged reduction in circulation would have a material adverse effect on advertising revenues. To maintain the Company’s circulation base, it may be required to incur additional costs that it may not be able to recover through circulation and advertising revenues.

Adverse results from litigation or governmental investigations can impact the Company’s business practices and operating results.

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation and regulatory, environmental and other proceedings with governmental authorities and administrative agencies. Adverse outcomes in lawsuits or investigations could result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or financial condition as well as its ability to conduct businesses as they are presently being conducted.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company suspended its quarterly dividend after the payment of the first quarter dividend in fiscal 2009. Also, the amount of future dividends is governed by reaching certain leverage levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) under its senior secured Credit Agreement.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits filed as part of this Report as listed in the Index of Exhibits, on page 35 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

May 4, 2012

   

/s/ Gary B. Pruitt

Date

   

Gary B. Pruitt

Chief Executive Officer

May 4, 2012

   

/s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

Date

   

Patrick J. Talamantes

Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

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, included as Exhibit 3.1 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2006.
  3.2*    The Company’s Bylaws as amended and restated effective March 20, 2012, included as Exhibit 3.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 22, 2012.
10.1*    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2010, among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer included as Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2010.
10.2*    Amendment No 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2010, among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer included as Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2010.
10.3*    Amended and Restated Guaranty dated as of September 26, 2008, executed by certain subsidiaries of The McClatchy Company in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement, included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2008.
10.4*    Security Agreement dated as of September 26, 2008, executed by The McClatchy Company and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2008.
10.5*    Second Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder, Inc. included as Exhibit 10.3 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ending on June 25, 2006.
10.6*    Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder, Inc. included as Exhibit 10.4 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ending on June 25, 2006.
10.7*    Purchase Agreement, dated February 4, 2010, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Representative of the several Initial Purchasers included as Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2010.
10.8*    Indenture, dated February 11, 2010, among The McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 included as Exhibit 4.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2010.
10.9*    Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 11, 2010, between The McClatchy Company and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 included as Exhibit 4.2 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2010.

 

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Exhibit

  Description
    10.10*   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 30, 2000.
    10.11*   The Company’s Amended and Restated CEO Bonus Plan, included as Exhibit 10.27 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 29, 2008.
**10.12*   The Company’s Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2005.
**10.13*   Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, included as Exhibit 10.26 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 29, 2008.
**10.14*   Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 29, 2002.
**10.15*   Amendment Number 1 to The McClatchy Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan included as Exhibit 10.1 on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2009.
**10.16*   Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Benefit Restoration Plan included as Exhibit 10.1 on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2011.
**10.17*   Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Bonus Recognition Plan included as Exhibit 10.2 on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2011.
**10.18*   Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the Quarter Ending on July 1, 2001.
**10.19*   The Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated included as Exhibit 10.25 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ending June 29, 2008.
**10.20*   Form of Chief Executive Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan included as Exhibit 10.25 in the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 30, 2007.
**10.21*   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.
**10.22*   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.
**10.23*   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 18, 2009.

 

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Exhibit

  Description
**10.24*   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 Form 10-K for the year ending December 28, 2003.
**10.25*   Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employee Agreement for Mr. Pruitt included as Exhibit 10.2 on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2009.
**10.26*   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.
**10.27*   Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 29, 2002.
**10.28*   Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 1997 Stock Option Plan dated January 23, 2007, included as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2006.
**10.29*   The Company’s Amended and Restated 1990 Directors’ Stock Option Plan dated February 1, 1998, included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1997.
**10.30*   The Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Director Stock Option Plan, included as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 25, 2005.
**10.31*   Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 2001 Director Option Plan dated January 23, 2007, included as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2006.
**10.32*   The Company’s Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, included as Exhibit 10.28 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 29, 2008.
    10.33*   Purchase and Sale Agreement Between the Company, a Delaware corporation, and Richwood, Inc., a Florida corporation and Bayfront 2011 Property, LLC dated May 26, 2011, included as Exhibit 10.42 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 26, 2011.

 

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Exhibit

  Description
  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.
101.INS***   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF***   XBRL Extension Definition
101.LAB***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
101.PRE***   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

    * Incorporated by reference
  ** Compensation plans or arrangements for the Company’s executive officers and directors
*** The following materials from The McClatchy Company Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 25, 2012, are formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

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