10-K/A 1 a13-15067_110ka.htm 10-K/A

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

x

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

For the fiscal year ended: December 30, 2012

or

o

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)

 

 

916-321-1844

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

o Yes x No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

o Yes x No

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 o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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 o No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

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. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o Yes x No

Based on the closing price of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 22, 2012 the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $135.3 million. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, as required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates, the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of officers and directors of the Registrant and members of their families, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose.

Shares outstanding as of February 22, 2013:

 

Class A Common Stock

61,170,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B Common Stock

24,800,962

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 14, 2013, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 



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EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

We are filing this Amendement No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (the “Form 10-K/A”) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2012 (“Form 10-K”) that was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 6, 2013 (“Form 10-K”), to present circulation revenues associated with our “fee for service” contracts with distributors and carriers on a gross basis, as opposed to on a net basis as previously presented in the Form 10-K, and to correct an administrative error in the disclosure of the date associated with our first fiscal quarter in 2013.

 

Subsequent to the filing of our Form 10-K on March 6, 2013, we determined that circulation revenues associated with our “fee for service” contracts with distributors and carriers should be presented on a gross basis as opposed to on a net basis as previously presented, as we are established as the primary obligor through subscriber agreements.  The difference in presentation results in delivery costs associated with these contracts being reported as other operating expenses, rather than as a reduction in circulation revenues, in our consolidated statements of operations.  We believe this correction is not material to our previously issued financial statements for prior periods.  Accordingly, the classifications in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011, December 26, 2010, December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008 and the respective fiscal quarters in the years ended December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 have been corrected in this Form 10-K/A, resulting in immaterial increases to circulation revenues and equivalent increases to other operating expenses.  There is no impact to the previously reported operating income, net income (loss) or net income (loss) per common share in any of the periods presented.

 

Additionally, our Form 10-K inadvertently referred to March 24, 2013 as the last day of our first fiscal quarter of 2013 within footnote 5, as well as within the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, when speaking to subsequent debt repurchases.  The correct date is March 31, 2013.

 

Except for the items noted herein, no other changes have been made to the Form 10-K.  This Form 10-K/A has not been updated for events occurring after the filing of the Form 10-K and no attempt has been made in this Form 10-K/A to modify or update other disclosures as presented in the original filing of the Form 10-K. The following items have been amended as a result of the restatement:

 

Part II, Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

 

In accordance with applicable SEC rules, this Form 10-K/A includes certifications from our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer dated as of the date of this filing.

 




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PART II

 

ITEM 6.                SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and other financial data included elsewhere in this annual report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

December 30,
2012 
(1)

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

December 27,
2009

 

December 28,
2008

REVENUES – NET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$914,738

 

$956,305

 

$1,049,964

 

$1,143,129

 

$1,568,766

Circulation (2)

 

342,201

 

344,549

 

358,492

 

363,922

 

337,068

Other

 

52,700

 

51,000

 

52,492

 

50,199

 

66,106

 

 

1,309,639

 

1,351,854

 

1,460,948

 

1,557,250

 

1,971,940

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses (2)

 

998,228

 

1,026,211

 

1,088,661

 

1,215,849

 

1,607,827

Depreciation and amortization

 

125,275

 

121,528

 

133,404

 

142,889

 

142,948

Goodwill and masthead impairment

 

 

2,800

 

 

 

59,563

 

 

1,123,503

 

1,150,539

 

1,222,065

 

1,358,738

 

1,810,338

OPERATING INCOME

 

186,136

 

201,315

 

238,883

 

198,512

 

161,602

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSE) INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(151,334)

 

(165,434)

 

(177,641)

 

(127,276)

 

(157,385)

Interest income

 

88

 

97

 

550

 

47

 

1,429

Equity income in unconsolidated companies, net

 

31,935

 

27,762

 

11,752

 

2,130

 

(14,021)

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

 

(88,430)

 

(1,203)

 

(10,661)

 

44,117

 

21,026

Write-down of investments and land

 

 

 

(24,447)

 

(34,172)

 

(26,462)

Other – net

 

79

 

248

 

265

 

203

 

35,896

 

 

(207,662)

 

(138,530)

 

(200,182)

 

(114,951)

 

(139,517)

Income from continuing operations before income tax provision (benefit)

 

(21,526)

 

62,785

 

38,701

 

83,561

 

22,085

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

(21,382)

 

8,396

 

5,601

 

26,800

 

19,278

NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

(144)

 

54,389

 

33,100

 

56,761

 

2,807

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

3,083

 

(6,174)

 

(6,758)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$(144)

 

$54,389

 

$36,183

 

$50,587

 

$(3,951)

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$–

 

$0.64

 

$0.39

 

$0.68

 

$0.03

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

0.04

 

(0.07)

 

(0.08)

Net income per basic common share

 

$–

 

$0.64

 

$0.43

 

$0.61

 

$(0.05)

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$–

 

$0.63

 

$0.39

 

$0.68

 

$0.03

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

0.04

 

(0.07)

 

(0.08)

Net income per diluted common share

 

$–

 

$0.63

 

$0.43

 

$0.61

 

$(0.05)

Dividends per common share:

 

$–

 

$–

 

$–

 

$0.09

 

$0.54

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$3,005,131

 

$3,040,059

 

$3,146,859

 

$3,299,899

 

$3,522,206

Long-term debt

 

1,587,330

 

1,577,476

 

1,703,339

 

1,896,436

 

2,037,776

Financing obligations

 

279,325

 

272,795

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

42,501

 

175,187

 

215,752

 

166,686

 

52,429

 


(1)        Due to our fiscal calendar, the year ended on December 30, 2012 encompassed a 53-week period as compared to the other fiscal year ends identified in this table, which only have 52-week periods.

 

(2)        Certain amounts in circulation revenues and other operating expenses have been corrected as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements as it relates to fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010. Fiscal years 2009 and 2008 have also been corrected to provide consistent presentation.

 

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ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Reference is made to Part I, Item 1 “Note About Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A “Risk Factors,” which describes important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In addition, the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of The McClatchy Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). MD&A should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) as of and for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011 and December 26, 2010 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading news, advertising and information provider, offering a wide array of print and digital products in each of the markets we serve. We are the third largest newspaper company in the United States, based on daily circulation. Our operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. Our largest newspapers include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, The Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

 

We also own a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation’s largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com, 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com, 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 11.4% of Wanderful Media (formerly ShopCo, LLC), owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising.

 

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. Due to our fiscal calendar, the year ended on December 30, 2012 (“fiscal year 2012”) encompassed a 53-week period. The year ended December 25, 2011 (“fiscal year 2011”) and the year ended December 26, 2010 (“fiscal year 2010”) both consist of 52-week periods.

 

Our primary sources of revenues are print and digital advertising, which accounted for 69.9% of our total revenues for fiscal year 2012 compared to 70.7% in fiscal year 2011. All categories (retail, national and classified) of advertising discussed below include both print and digital advertising. Retail advertising revenues include advertising carried as a part of newspapers (run of press (“ROP”) advertising), advertising inserts placed in newspapers (“preprint advertising”) and/or advertising delivered digitally.

 

In fiscal year 2012, circulation revenues accounted for 26.1% of our total revenues compared to 25.5% in fiscal year 2011. Most of our newspapers are delivered by independent contractors.

 

For fiscal year 2012, revenues from other sources, including among other, commercial printing and distribution revenues, constituted 4.0% of our total revenues compared to 3.8% in fiscal year 2011.

 

See “Results of Operations” section below for a discussion of our revenue performance and contribution by category for the fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

Fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 consolidated financial information has been updated within the MD&A to reflect the effects of the correction as more fully described in Note 1, “Significant Accounting Policies”, Circulation Delivery Contract Accounting Correction to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1)

 

Recent Developments

 

Senior Secured Notes Refinanced

 

On December 18, 2012, we issued $910 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 (“9.00% Notes”). We received approximately $889 million, net of financing costs, in the offering and used the net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, to repurchase all of our outstanding $846 million in aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes, due in 2017 (“11.50% Notes”), in two separate transactions. On December 18, 2012, we repurchased

 

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$762.4 million of the 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer at a repurchase price of $1,103.40 for each $1,000 principal amount of 11.50% Notes tendered plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the tender offer of the 11.50% Notes, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $94.5 million. By January 17, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $83.6 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Notes not tendered in the tender offer and will record a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $9.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2013. See Debt and Related Matters section in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional information.

 

Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

 

In connection with the 9.00% Notes offering, described above, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”), dated as of December 18, 2012. The Credit Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 22, 2012. The Credit Agreement provides for a $75 million revolving credit commitment, with a $50 million letter of credit subfacility, and has a maturity date of December 18, 2017. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first-priority security interest in certain of our assets. See Debt and Related Matters section in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional information.

 

Digital Subscriptions Packages

 

Beginning in September 2012, five of our newspapers introduced new subscription packages (“Plus Program”) for digital content that ended free, unlimited access to the newspapers’ websites and certain mobile content. We expanded this model to our other markets in November and December 2012. The Plus Program includes both a combined digital and print subscription and a digital-only subscription. Existing home delivery subscribers are given full access to the digital content and rolled into a bundled print and digital package for an additional fee when their subscription renews. Subscribers who do not wish to take the Plus Program may “opt out” of the package and will be charged for print circulation only. A metered paywall on each of the newspaper websites requires users (generally non-subscribers) to pay for content after accessing a limited number of pages or news articles for free each month.

 

Sale of Real Property in Miami and Subsequent Plans for Relocation

 

On May 27, 2011, we sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including the building holding the operations of one of our subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and adjacent parking lots, for a purchase price of $236.0 million. We received cash proceeds of $230.0 million. The additional $6.0 million was held in an escrow account for our expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of our Miami operations. In April 2012, we received these funds, which were released for payment of costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

 

In connection with the sale, The Miami Herald Media Company entered into a lease agreement with the buyer pursuant to which we have continued to operate our Miami newspaper operations rent free from the existing location through May 2013, while our new facilities are being constructed. We must vacate the facilities by the end of May 2013. As a result of our continuing involvement in the property and given the fact that we will not pay rent during this period, the sale was treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, we will continue to depreciate the carrying value of the building until our operations are moved. In addition, we have recorded a $236.0 million liability (in financing obligations) equal to the sales proceeds received of $230.0 million plus the $6.0 million received from the escrow account for reimbursement of moving expenses. We are imputing rent based on comparable market rates, which will be reflected as interest expense until the operations are moved. As of December 30, 2012, no gain or loss has been recognized on the transaction. We expect to recognize a gain of approximately $10 million at the time the operations are moved since there will no longer be a continuing involvement with the Miami property.

 

In the first quarter of 2012, we purchased approximately 6.1 acres of land located in Doral, Florida, for approximately $3.1 million. We are building a new production facility on this site for our Miami newspaper operations. In January 2012, we also entered into an operating lease for a two-story office building adjacent to the new production facility. The operating lease on the office building has 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 Miami newspaper operations and for constructing the new production facility, including the purchase of the property, construction costs, accelerated depreciation and moving expenses, are estimated to be as follows:

 

·                  Net cash outlays for capital expenditures related to the new facilities are estimated to be $32 million. We began incurring these costs in the first quarter of 2012. During fiscal years 2012 and 2011, we incurred approximately $17.5 million and $0.4 million of net cash outlays, respectively.

 

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·                  Cash expenses to relocate the Miami newspapers’ operations are expected to be $12 million. During fiscal years 2012 and 2011, our cash expenses were approximately $4.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

·      Accelerated depreciation of $13 million is expected to be incurred on existing assets expected to be retired or decommissioned in connection with the relocation. During fiscal year 2012, we accelerated depreciation on retired or decommissioned assets totaling approximately $8.3 million.

 

The relocation of the Miami newspaper operations is expected to be completed in May 2013 and related costs and expenses are expected to be incurred through the third quarter of 2013.

 

Other Recent Debt Reductions

 

In February 2013, we purchased $48.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt, in the open market, which consisted of $37.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.625% notes due in 2014 and $11.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.750% notes due in 2017.

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011

 

We had a net loss in fiscal year 2012 of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2011. The net loss primarily resulted from the recognition of a non-operating loss on extinguishment of debt related to the repurchases of $762.4 million of our 11.50% Notes pursuant to our cash tender offer in December 2012. See Debt and Related Matters section in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional information related to these tender offer repurchases.

 

Revenues

 

The following table summarizes our revenues by category, which compares fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2011:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)

 

December 25,
2011
(52 weeks)

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

Advertising:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

$474,031

 

$499,250

 

$(25,219)

 

(5.1)

National

 

70,477

 

76,296

 

(5,819)

 

(7.6)

Classified:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

 

83,396

 

80,823

 

2,573

 

3.2

Real estate

 

36,386

 

44,703

 

(8,317)

 

(18.6)

Employment

 

46,954

 

51,933

 

(4,979)

 

(9.6)

Other

 

71,544

 

73,950

 

(2,406)

 

(3.3)

Total classified

 

238,280

 

251,409

 

(13,129)

 

(5.2)

Direct marketing and other

 

131,950

 

129,350

 

2,600

 

2.0

Total advertising

 

914,738

 

956,305

 

(41,567)

 

(4.3)

Circulation

 

342,201

 

344,549

 

(2,348)

 

(0.7)

Other

 

52,700

 

51,000

 

1,700

 

3.3

Total revenues

 

$1,309,639

 

$1,351,854

 

$(42,215)

 

(3.1)

 

During fiscal year 2012, total revenues decreased 3.1% compared to fiscal year 2011 as we continued to be impacted by the industry-wide declines in advertising revenues. The continued weak economy and a secular shift in advertising demand from print to digital products are the principal causes of the decline in total revenues. However, the 3.1% decrease in total revenues in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2011, is smaller than the 7.5% decrease in fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. This is due to our efforts to grow revenues from our digital products to offset the expected declines in revenues from our print products, as well as the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012. We estimate that the 53rd week provided for an additional $16.5 million in advertising revenues, $5.2 million in circulation revenues and $23.0 million in total revenues.

 

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Advertising Revenues

 

Newspaper advertising is typically display advertising, or in the case of classified, display and/or liner advertising, while digital advertising can be in the form of display, coupon or banner ads, video, search advertising and/or liner ads. Advertising printed directly in the newspaper is considered ROP advertising while preprint advertising consists of preprinted advertising inserts delivered with the newspaper.

 

Total advertising revenues decreased $41.6 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. While declines during such periods were widespread among our revenue categories, the primary decrease in advertising revenues related to retail advertising and real estate classified advertising. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our digital revenues, automotive classified advertising, direct marketing and other revenues and our 53rd week in 2012.

 

The following table reflects the category of advertising revenues as a percentage of total advertising revenues for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

Advertising:

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

51.8%

 

52.2%

National

 

7.7%

 

8.0%

Classified

 

26.1%

 

26.3%

Direct marketing and other

 

14.4%

 

13.5%

Total advertising

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

We categorize advertising revenues as follows:

 

·                  Retail – local retailers, local stores of national retailers, department and furniture stores, restaurants and other consumer-related businesses. Retail advertising also includes revenues from preprinted advertising inserts distributed in the newspaper.

 

·                  National – national and major accounts such as telecommunications companies, financial institutions, movie studios, airlines and other national companies.

 

·                  Classified – local auto dealers, employment, real estate including display advertising and other classified advertising.

 

·                  Direct Marketing and Other – advertisements in direct mail, shared mail and niche publications, total market coverage publications and other miscellaneous advertising.

 

Retail:

 

Retail advertising revenues decreased $25.2 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease reflects lower print ROP revenues in health, building and home centers, furniture and home furnishing, and lower preprint revenues, which were partially offset by an increase in digital retail advertising revenues reflecting increases in banner and display advertisements and increased revenues from our dealsaver® daily deal product. In fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, we reported a decrease in print ROP advertising revenues of 8.2% and a decrease in preprint advertising revenues of 6.1%. These print ROP and preprint advertising revenue decreases were partially offset by an increase in digital retail advertising revenues of 6.4% for fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011.

 

National:

 

National advertising revenues decreased $5.8 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. For fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, print national advertising decreased 11.1% but was partially offset by an increase of 3.0% in digital national advertising revenues. The decreases in total national advertising revenues were broad-based but were partially offset by increases in the banking and political categories.

 

Classified:

 

Classified advertising revenues decreased $13.1 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Although the nation’s housing market is showing signs that it is beginning to strengthen, the real estate category continues to represent our

 

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largest decline in classified advertising. The decrease in classified advertising revenues in fiscal year 2012 was partially a result of the weak economy and advertisers are increasingly using digital advertising, which is widely available from many competitors, instead of print advertising. For fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, print classified advertising decreased 10.8%, but was partially offset by an increase in digital classified advertising revenues of 4.1%. The increases in digital classified advertising primarily reflect stronger automotive advertising sales, as well as other classified advertising revenues, as discussed below. The following is a discussion of the major classified advertising categories for fiscal year 2012, as compared to fiscal year 2011:

 

·                  Automotive advertising revenues increased in fiscal year 2012 by $2.6 million, or 3.2%. Print automotive advertising revenues declined 7.6% in fiscal year 2012, while digital automotive advertising revenues were up 15.2% in fiscal year 2012. These results reflect the continued migration of automotive advertising to digital platforms as well as the growing sales of automobiles in the United States during the period, in addition to the popularity of our Cars.com products with local auto dealerships.

 

·                  Real estate advertising revenues decreased in fiscal year 2012 by $8.3 million, or 18.6%. As discussed above, real estate has also been slow to recover from the recession and real estate advertising has been moving from print to digital media. As a result, print real estate advertising revenues declined 23.5% in fiscal year 2012, while digital real estate advertising revenues were down 8.4% in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2011.

 

·                  Employment advertising revenues decreased in fiscal year 2012 by $5.0 million, or 9.6%, reflecting a continued slow recovery in employment across all of our geographical markets. Print employment advertising revenues declined 12.6% in fiscal year 2012, while digital employment advertising revenues were down 6.8% in fiscal year 2012.

 

·      Other classified advertising revenues, which include legal, remembrance and celebration notices and miscellaneous advertising decreased in fiscal year 2012 by $2.4 million, or 3.3%. Print other classified advertising revenues declined 6.0% in fiscal year 2012, while digital other classified advertising revenues were up 7.5% in fiscal year 2012. These increases result from the migration of consumers from the print to digital media for publishing these types of events.

 

Digital:

 

Digital advertising revenues, which are included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, constituted 21.8% of total advertising revenues in fiscal year 2012 compared to 19.9% in fiscal year 2011. Total digital advertising includes digital advertising both bundled with print and sold on a stand-alone basis. Digital advertising revenues totaled $199.7 million in fiscal year 2012, representing an increase of 4.9% compared to fiscal year 2011. Digital-only advertising revenues totaled $108.3 million in fiscal year 2012. This represented an increase of 15.7% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Digital advertising revenues sold in conjunction with print products declined 5.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011 as a result of fewer print advertising sales.

 

Direct Marketing and Other:

 

Direct marketing and other advertising revenues increased $2.6 million during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase largely came as a result of growth in our “Sunday Select” product, a package of preprinted advertisements delivered to non-subscribers upon request, which grew 34.9% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011.

 

Circulation Revenues

 

Circulation revenues decreased $2.3 million during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Overall, our circulation revenues were negatively affected by lower circulation volumes. Daily circulation declined 5.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. In fiscal year 2011, daily circulation volumes had declined 4.3%. However, the decrease in circulation revenues from lower volumes was partially offset by selective price increases, the digital revenues from the new digital subscription packages (as discussed above in the “Recent Developments” section above) and the revenues received in the 53rd week of fiscal year 2012. As expected, circulation volumes continue to remain lower as a result of fragmentation of audiences faced by all media as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change. While we expect circulation volumes to continue to decline slightly in the year ended December 29, 2013 (“fiscal year 2013”), we expect our new Plus Program to increase circulation revenues in fiscal year 2013. We continue to look for new opportunities to reduce our declines in circulation volumes and increase our circulation revenues.

 

Our digital traffic continues to grow with daily average local unique visitors to our newspaper websites up 2.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

During fiscal year 2012, total operating expenses decreased 2.3% compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting our continued effort to reduce costs through streamlining processes to gain efficiencies, as well as headcount reductions. As discussed above, our operating expenses for fiscal year 2012 also include a 53rd week, which results in higher expenses during the period than the comparable period in fiscal year 2011. Operating expenses in all periods presented include restructuring-related severance as we continue to restructure our operations. Fiscal year 2012 also includes accelerated depreciation on equipment and moving expenses primarily related to the relocation of our Miami newspaper operations. During fiscal year 2011, we incurred charges related to real property in California and Texas that were sold for less than the carrying value as we continued to restructure our operations, which increased our operating expenses in that period.

 

The following table summarizes our operating expenses, which compares fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2011:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)

 

December 25,
2011
(52 weeks)

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

Compensation expenses

 

$443,401

 

$457,707

 

$(14,306)

 

(3.1)

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

 

140,932

 

145,874

 

(4,942)

 

(3.4)

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

125,275

 

121,528

 

3,747

 

3.1

Other operating expenses

 

413,895

 

425,430

 

(11,535)

 

(2.7)

 

 

$1,123,503

 

$1,150,539

 

$(27,036)

 

(2.3)

Restructuring charges and other items

 

$18,287

 

$30,444

 

$(12,157)

 

(39.9)

Compensation-related restructuring charges

 

$4,651

 

$13,853

 

$(9,202)

 

(66.4)

 

Compensation expenses, which includes the restructuring charges discussed above, decreased $14.3 million during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Payroll expenses in fiscal year 2012 decreased 4.5% compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting a 6.0% decline in average full-time equivalent headcount. Fringe benefits costs in fiscal year 2012 increased 4.7% compared to fiscal year 2011, primarily reflecting increases in medical costs of 9.7%. These were partially offset by lower workers compensation costs.

 

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses decreased $4.9 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Newsprint expense decreased by 5.5% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting lower newsprint usage and to a lesser extent, lower newsprint prices. Supplement and printing expense increased 3.0% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase in supplement and printing expense is also partially due to the printing of the extra paper in the 53rd week.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $3.8 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Amounts affecting the depreciation and amortization in fiscal year 2012 include $8.8 million in accelerated depreciation on equipment primarily related to the relocation of the Miami operations and a reduction in capital expenditures in fiscal years 2012 and 2011 due to adequate production capacity at our facilities.

 

Other operating costs decreased $11.5 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease in other operating costs during fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, was due to company-wide efforts to reduce costs, including property taxes, insurance, marketing, delivery costs and professional services. However, the decrease was partially offset by increased costs in fiscal year 2012 related to the 53rd week and during fiscal year 2011 we incurred charges of $10.6 million primarily resulting from real property in California and Texas that was sold.

 

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Non-Operating Items

 

Interest Expense

 

Total interest expense decreased 8.5% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. This decrease was due to lower outstanding principal amounts of debt and the reversal of $12.3 million in interest on taxes, because of certain state tax settlements and statute expiration benefits.

 

Equity Income

 

Total income from unconsolidated investments increased 15.0% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase is primarily related to our investment in Classified Ventures, which reported greater income in fiscal year 2012.

 

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

 

During fiscal year 2012, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $88.4 million compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes in the open market and $762.4 million in conjunction with the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes. We repurchased most of the $70.5 million notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes we purchased, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt. This gain was offset by the write-off of fees related to the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the refinancing of our 11.50% senior secured notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.

 

Income Taxes

 

We recorded an income tax benefit of $21.4 million for fiscal year 2012 compared to income tax expense of $8.4 million in fiscal year 2011. The benefit during fiscal year 2012 was partially due to the reversal of tax reserves for favorable settlements of state tax issues and the expiration of statute of limitations. Further, the benefit was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax loss of discrete tax items, such as (1) reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, (2) loss on the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes, (3) certain asset disposals and impairments, and (4) severance for fiscal year 2012. Excluding these items the effective tax rate expense was 42.2% in fiscal year 2012 and is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

 

In fiscal year 2011, our tax provision of $8.4 million compared to $5.6 million in fiscal year 2010 included a benefit from a favorable settlement of certain state tax issues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 and expiration of statutes later in that year. Further, the effective tax rate percentage was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax income of discrete items such as reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, the extinguishment of debt, certain asset disposals, the masthead impairment, and severance for fiscal year 2011. Excluding the impact of these items, the net tax provision resulted in a tax rate of 44.0%, and exceeded the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

 

Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010

 

We reported income from continuing operations in fiscal year 2011 of $54.4 million or $0.63 per diluted share compared to income from continuing operations of $33.1 million or $0.39 per diluted share in fiscal year 2010. Total net income in fiscal year 2010 including discontinued operations was $36.2 million or $0.43 per diluted share. We did not have discontinued operations in fiscal year 2011.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues in fiscal year 2011 were $1.4 billion, down 7.5% from revenues of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2010. Advertising revenues were $1.0 billion in fiscal year 2011, down 8.9% from fiscal year 2010, and circulation revenues were $344.5 million in fiscal year 2011, down 3.9% from fiscal year 2010.

 

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The following table summarizes our revenues by category, which compares fiscal year 2011 with fiscal year 2010:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

Advertising:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

$499,250

 

$550,993

 

$(51,743)

 

(9.4)

National

 

76,296

 

97,068

 

(20,772)

 

(21.4)

Classified:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

 

80,823

 

83,221

 

(2,398)

 

(2.9)

Real estate

 

44,703

 

55,468

 

(10,765)

 

(19.4)

Employment

 

51,933

 

56,032

 

(4,099)

 

(7.3)

Other

 

73,950

 

85,101

 

(11,151)

 

(13.1)

Total classified

 

251,409

 

279,822

 

(28,413)

 

(10.2)

Direct marketing and other

 

129,350

 

122,081

 

7,269

 

6.0

Total advertising

 

956,305

 

1,049,964

 

(93,659)

 

(8.9)

Circulation

 

344,549

 

358,492

 

(13,943)

 

(3.9)

Other

 

51,000

 

52,492

 

(1,492)

 

(2.8)

Total revenues

 

$1,351,854

 

$1,460,948

 

$(109,904)

 

(7.5)

 

Advertising Revenues

 

Advertising revenues were the largest component of our revenue, accounting for 70.7% and 71.9% of total revenues in fiscal year 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Retail:

 

Retail advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $51.7 million, or 9.4% from fiscal year 2010, primarily reflecting the impact of the slow economic recovery and the secular shift to digital advertising which is substantially more competitive. Digital retail advertising in fiscal year 2011 increased $2.1 million, or 2.8% from fiscal year 2010, driven by banner, coupon and display advertisements, while print ROP advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $35.4 million, or 14.7% from fiscal year 2010. Preprint advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $18.5 million, or 7.8% from fiscal year 2010.

 

National:

 

National advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $20.8 million, or 21.4% from fiscal year 2010. The declines in total national advertising were primarily in the telecommunications and national automotive segments. Digital national advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $4.0 million, or 17.5% from fiscal year 2010.

 

Classified:

 

In fiscal year 2011, classified advertising decreased $28.4 million, or 10.2% from fiscal year 2010. Print classified advertising in fiscal year 2011 declined $30.8 million, or 16.4%. Digital classified advertising in fiscal year 2011 increased $2.4 million, or 2.6%, primarily from growth in automotive digital advertising which was offset by declines in other categories. The following is a discussion of the major classified advertising categories:

 

·

 

Automotive advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $2.4 million, or 2.9%, from fiscal year 2010. Print automotive advertising in fiscal year 2011 declined $7.6 million, or 15.2% from fiscal year 2010, while digital automotive advertising in fiscal year 2011 grew $5.2 million, or 15.9% from fiscal year 2010. The better results in digital advertising, relative to other major categories, reflect the strength of our Cars.com digital products.

 

 

 

·

 

Real estate advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $10.8 million, or 19.4%, from fiscal year 2010. We continued to be adversely impacted by the real estate downturn. Print real estate advertising declined $10.6 million, or 25.9%, while digital real estate advertising declined $0.2 million, or 1.4% from fiscal year 2010.

 

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·

 

Employment advertising in fiscal year 2011 decreased $4.1 million, or 7.3% from fiscal year 2010, reflecting a national slowdown in hiring resulting in a decrease in employment advertising. Print employment advertising declined $1.6 million, or 6.2%, while digital employment advertising decreased $2.5 million, or 8.3% from fiscal year 2010. The greater decline in digital employment advertising reflects, in part, an increase in customers going directly to our online employment vertical, CareerBuilder, in fiscal year 2011 rather than accessing CareerBuilder through our newspaper websites. The shift in audience directly to CareerBuilder decreased digital employment revenues by $1.5 million (out of the $2.5 million total decline) in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010.

 

 

 

·

 

Other classified advertising, which primarily includes third-party liners, legal and remembrances advertisements, decreased $11.2 million in fiscal year 2011, or 13.1% from fiscal year 2010. Print other classified declined $11.0 million in fiscal year 2011, or 15.6% from fiscal year 2010. Digital other classified declined $0.2 million, or 1.3%.

 

Digital:

 

Digital advertising revenue, which is included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, totaled $190.4 million in fiscal year 2011, an increase of 0.3% as compared to fiscal year 2010. Digital-only advertising revenues, which totaled $92.1 million in fiscal year 2011, grew 9.1% from fiscal year 2010, while digital advertising revenues sold in conjunction with print products declined 6.8% from fiscal year 2010 reflecting fewer print advertising sales.

 

Direct Marketing and Other:

 

Direct marketing advertising grew $7.5 million, or 6.2%, in fiscal year 2011 from fiscal year 2010 largely reflecting growing popularity of our “Sunday Select” product and other direct marketing products. Sunday Select is a package of preprints delivered to non-newspaper subscribers upon request.

 

Circulation Revenues

 

In fiscal year 2011, circulation revenues decreased $13.9 million, or 3.9% from fiscal year 2010, primarily reflecting lower volumes. Average paid daily circulation declined 4.3% while Sunday grew 0.2% in fiscal year 2011. Circulation volume trends improved during 2011 as our newspapers cycled the circulation initiatives taken in 2009 and, to a lesser degree, in 2010 to both cut expenses and increase prices.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 and fiscal year 2010 include severance-related restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation on equipment related to the outsourcing of printing at various newspapers. Operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 also included impairments related to mastheads and certain property, and costs of moving certain operations.

 

The following table summarizes our operating expenses, which compares fiscal year 2011 to the same period in fiscal year 2010:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

Compensation expenses

 

$457,707

 

$519,179

 

$(61,472)

 

(11.8)

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

 

145,874

 

136,642

 

9,232

 

6.8

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

121,528

 

133,404

 

(11,876)

 

(8.9)

Other operating expenses

 

425,430

 

432,840

 

(7,410)

 

(1.7)

 

 

$1,150,539

 

$1,222,065

 

$(71,526)

 

(5.9)

Restructuring charges and other items

 

$30,444

 

$15,863

 

$14,581

 

91.9

Compensation-related restructuring charges

 

$13,853

 

$9,853

 

$4,000

 

40.6

 

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Operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 decreased $71.5 million, or 5.9%, from fiscal year 2010 as we continued to reduce costs to mitigate the impact of revenue declines. Operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 included $13.9 million in severance related to our continued restructuring program, $1.2 million of accelerated depreciation on equipment related to the outsourcing of printing at various newspapers, $14.5 million in impairment charges and $0.9 million in costs of moving certain operations. Operating expenses in fiscal year 2010 included $9.9 million in severance related to our restructuring plans and $6.0 million of accelerated depreciation on equipment related to the outsourcing of printing at various newspapers.

 

Compensation expenses in fiscal year 2011 decreased $61.5 million, or 11.8% from fiscal year 2010, and included the restructuring charges discussed above, which were greater in fiscal year 2011 than in fiscal year 2010. The decline in compensation primarily reflected reductions in staffing. On average, headcount was down 11.8% in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010. Fringe benefit costs in fiscal year 2011 were down $26.1 million from fiscal year 2010 primarily reflecting lower retirement costs and, to a lesser extent, lower medical costs.

 

Newsprint, supplement and printing expense in fiscal year 2011 increased 6.8% from fiscal year 2010 primarily reflecting higher newsprint prices, which were partially offset by lower newsprint usage. Newsprint expense in fiscal year 2011 was up 5.1% while supplement and printing expense increased 12.1% from fiscal year 2010 reflecting, in part, the costs of outsourced printing and increased sales of direct marketing products. Depreciation and amortization expenses in fiscal year 2011 declined $11.9 million compared to fiscal year 2010 and included the impact of lower accelerated depreciation on equipment related to outsourcing in 2011.

 

Depreciation expense was also lower because of lower capital expenditures in recent years and by other assets that became fully depreciated during the year. Other operating costs were down $3.9 million, or 1.1%, in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010.

 

Other operating expenses in 2011 included a total of $15.4 million of impairment charges and moving costs included in restructuring and impairment charges discussed above. The reduction in other operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 primarily reflects our Company-wide efforts to reduce costs, including, among others, reductions in energy-related expenses, delivery costs and professional services.

 

Non-Operating Items

 

Interest:

 

Interest expense in fiscal year 2011 decreased $12.2 million, or 6.9%, from fiscal year 2010. Interest expense on tax reserves declined $7.6 million in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010 due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation and the settlement of tax audits that resulted in the reversal of accrued interest. In addition, interest on debt was lower primarily due to lower debt balances in fiscal year 2011. In fiscal year 2010, interest expense included a $2.1 million write-off of deferred debt financing fees associated with bank term debt repaid during the year that was not associated with amendment of the credit agreement.

 

Equity Income:

 

Income from unconsolidated investments was $27.8 million in fiscal year 2011 compared to income of $11.8 million in fiscal year 2010. Our internet-related joint ventures, particularly CareerBuilder and Classified Ventures, reported greater income in fiscal year 2011 reflecting growing digital advertising revenues in their respective businesses.

 

Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt:

 

In fiscal year 2011, we purchased $121.9 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt securities and recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.2 million.

 

On February 11, 2010, we completed a refinancing of substantially all of our debt maturing in fiscal year 2011 by amending and restating our credit agreement, issuing $875.0 million in principal amount of the 11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017 and consummating a tender offer for an aggregate $171.9 million in principal amount of the 7.125% notes due in 2011 and the 15.75% senior secured notes due in 2014. On December 16, 2010, we agreed to repay all of our outstanding term debt (totaling $41.0 million) under this facility and lenders agreed to amend the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to eliminate restrictions on the early retirement of our existing public bonds. We recognized $10.7 million in losses in fiscal year 2010 on our debt refinancing and the subsequent amendment to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income Taxes:

 

Our effective income tax rate on income from continuing operations in fiscal year 2011 was 13.4% compared to 14.5% in fiscal year 2010. Our tax provision in fiscal year 2011 included a benefit from a favorable settlement of certain state tax audits in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 and expiration of statutes later in that year. Further, the effective tax rate percentage was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax income of discrete items such as reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, the extinguishment of debt, certain asset disposals, the masthead impairment, and severance for fiscal year 2011. Excluding the impact of these items, the net tax provision resulted in a tax rate of 44.0% and exceeded the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

 

The effective tax rate in fiscal year 2010 also included favorable tax settlements for certain federal and state tax issues, including expiration of the statute of limitations for open tax years for certain states. Further, the effective tax rate percentage was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax income of discrete items such as the extinguishment of debt, the write-down of an asset previously under contract to be sold, and severance for fiscal year 2010. The effective tax rate on earnings in fiscal year 2010 excluding the impact of these items was approximately 41.6%, and exceeded the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:

 

Our cash and cash equivalents were $113.1 million as of December 30, 2012, compared to $86.0 million at the end of fiscal year 2011. The increased cash balance at the end of fiscal year 2012 reflects the receipt of distributions from our equity investments totaling $35.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to $30.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. In addition, we received cash proceeds of approximately $21 million from the issuance of $910.0 million of 9.00% Notes after we repurchased $762.4 million principal amount of our 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer and the payment of fees and accrued interest expense. However, in January 2013 we used a significant portion of the cash on hand to redeem the remaining $83.6 million principal amount of the 11.50% Notes. In February 2013, we purchased $48.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt, in the open market, which consisted of $37.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.625% notes due in 2014 and $11.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.750% notes due in 2017. Following the redemptions and purchases of notes in January and February 2013, we had $1.6 billion remaining in outstanding indebtedness.

 

We expect that most of our cash generated from operations in the foreseeable future will be used to repay debt, fund our capital expenditures and make required contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Plan”). We estimate that purchases of property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) in fiscal year 2013 will be approximately $33 million with approximately $12 million of the amount going towards final costs of the new Miami production facility. As discussed above and in Note 4, following the redemptions and purchases of notes in January and February 2013, we had $1.6 billion remaining in outstanding indebtedness, consisting of $910 million aggregate principal amount of secured 9.00% Notes and $669.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured publicly-traded notes maturing in 2014, 2017, 2027, and 2029. We expect that we will need to refinance a significant portion of this debt prior to its scheduled maturity. In addition, we expect to use our cash from operations from time to time to opportunistically repurchase our outstanding debt prior to its scheduled maturity and/or reduce our debt through debt exchanges or similar transactions. We believe that our cash from operations is sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, while maintaining adequate cash and cash equivalents.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

Cash flows provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$52,925

 

$(30,773)

 

$227,301

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

(2,106)

Investing activities

 

(18,641)

 

6,374

 

17,478

Financing activities

 

(7,216)

 

92,911

 

(231,322)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$27,068

 

$68,512

 

$11,351

 

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Table of Contents

 

Operating Activities:

 

We generated $52.9 million of cash from continuing operating activities in fiscal year 2012, compared to using $30.8 million in fiscal year 2011 and providing $227.3 million in fiscal year 2010. The increase in cash generated from operations in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011 is primarily due to the difference in contributions to our Plan, as discussed below, and a decrease of accrued interest of approximately $31.0 million related to the retirement of notes.

 

The decrease in cash from continuing operating activities in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010 primarily related to the use of cash for the following operational purposes in 2011 (1) contribution to our Plan (see discussion of pension contributions resulting from the Miami property sale below); (2) payment of interest on the 11.50% Notes, which were issued in February 2010 but had only one semi-annual interest payment in fiscal year 2010; (3) payment of supplemental contributions accrued throughout fiscal year 2010 but payable to our 401(k) plan in fiscal year 2011; (4) payment of fiscal year 2010 employee bonuses in fiscal year 2011 (no similar payments were made in fiscal year 2010); and (5) payment of higher severance costs in 2011 than in fiscal year 2010.

 

Pension Plan Matters

 

We made a $40.0 million cash contribution to our Plan in January 2012 to meet our required contributions for fiscal year 2012, while in fiscal year 2011 we made a voluntary cash contribution of $163.0 million using a portion of our $236.0 million in proceeds from the sale of real property in Miami. In fiscal year 2011, in addition to the cash contribution, we made a non-cash contribution of certain of our real property to meet our required funding obligation. The property contributed in fiscal year 2011 was appraised at $49.7 million. In January 2013, we contributed $7.5 million of cash to the Plan to meet our required contributions in fiscal year 2013. We expect this contribution will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2013. See Note 7 for further discussion of our contributions.

 

As of the end of fiscal year 2012, the projected benefit obligations of our Plan exceeded plan assets by $587.9 million compared to $422.5 million at the end of fiscal year 2011. Legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2012 mandated a change in the discount rates used to calculate the projected benefit obligations for purposes of funding pension plans. The new legislation and calculation use historical averages of long-term highly-rated corporate bonds (within ranges as defined in the legislation), which has resulted in the application of a higher discount rate to determine the projected benefit obligations for funding and current long-term interest rates.

 

In addition, the Pension Relief Act of 2010 (“PRA”) provided relief with respect to the funding requirements of the Plan. Under the PRA, we elected an option that allows the required contributions related to our 2009 and 2011 plan years to be paid over 15 years. As a result of these two legislative actions, we estimate that under Internal Revenue Service funding rules the projected benefit obligations of our Plan exceeded plan assets by approximately $153.0 million at the end of calendar 2012. However, even with the relief provided by the two legislative rules discussed above, based on the current funding position of the Plan, we expect future contributions will be required.

 

While amounts of future contributions are subject to numerous assumptions, including, among others, changes in interest rates, returns on assets in the Plan and future government regulations, we estimate that a total of approximately $25 million will be required to be contributed to the Plan in fiscal year 2014. The timing and amount of payments to the Plan reflect actuarial estimates we believe to be reasonable but are subject to changes in estimates. We believe cash flows from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our contribution requirements.

 

Miami Facility Relocation Plans

 

As discussed above in Recent Developments, in conjunction with the new production facility we are building for our Miami newspaper operations and with the operating lease we entered into for a two-story office building adjacent to the new production facility, we incurred construction costs during fiscal year 2012 and expect to incur additional construction costs (as discussed below in Investing Activities). In addition, during fiscal year 2012 and during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2013, we will incur up to a total of approximately $12 million in costs related to moving expenses.

 

Investing Activities:

 

We used $18.6 million of cash in investing activities in fiscal year 2012. We used $34.8 million for the purchase of PP&E, including $17.5 million on the new production facility in Miami. We received $38.6 million in distributions from our equity investments; $19.1 million exceeded the cumulative earnings from an investee and was considered a return of investment and therefore treated as an investing activity, while the remaining return on investment of $19.5 million is shown as an operating activity.

 

We generated $6.4 million of cash from investing activities in fiscal year 2011, which primarily consisted of receipts of $14.3 million in distributions from our interest in equity investments and $9.2 million from the sales of PP&E. These inflows were partially offset by $17.0 million in purchases of PP&E.

 

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We generated $17.5 million of cash from investing activities in fiscal year 2010, which includes the receipts of $24.3 million in distributions from our interest in Classified Ventures and a $6.0 million deposit on land in Miami which was previously under contract to be sold (also see Note 3). We also received $3.0 million in proceeds from the sales of PP&E, which were offset by the purchases of PP&E.

 

Financing Activities:

 

We used $7.2 million in financing activities in fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2012, we received $910 million for the issuance of the 9.00% Notes (see Debt and Related Matters below), we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes for $59.2 million in cash in privately negotiated transactions and in conjunction with the tender offer of our 11.50% Notes, we repurchased $762.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Notes for $862.3 million in cash. In addition, we received the final payment of $6.0 million from the sale of the Miami land and building.

 

We generated $92.9 million from financing activities in fiscal year 2011. We received $230.0 million in proceeds from the sale of our building and land in Miami and incurred $2.6 million in costs related to the transaction. The amount is recorded as a financing obligation as discussed in Note 3. We repurchased $121.9 million of aggregate principal amount of notes for $116.9 million in cash in privately negotiated transactions in fiscal year 2011 and retired at maturity $18.1 million of 2011 notes on June 1, 2011.

 

We used $231.3 million for financing activities in fiscal year 2010. We received net proceeds of $864.7 million from the issuance of $875.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% senior secured notes. We used proceeds from the refinancing and cash from operations and investments to repay $330.7 million in revolving bank debt and $546.8 million in term bank debt under our credit facility. In addition, we paid $187.3 million to retire $171.9 million in aggregate principal of notes that would have matured in fiscal year 2011 and 2014. We paid $32.0 million in costs associated with the various refinancing transactions, most of which were recorded as deferred financing charges and the rest recorded as a loss on debt extinguishment.

 

Debt and Related Matters

 

As of December 30, 2012, we had approximately $1.7 billion in total principal indebtedness outstanding, including a current portion of long-term debt of $83.6 million in 11.50% Notes, resulting from our commitment to redeem the 11.50% Notes by January 17, 2013. In addition, we had the following aggregate principal amounts of debt outstanding: $910.0 million of 9.00% Notes, $66.4 million of 4.625% notes due in 2014, $286.1 million of 5.750% notes due in 2017, $89.2 million of 7.150% debentures due in 2027 and $276.2 million of 6.875% debentures due in 2029.

 

Credit Agreement

 

In connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Notes, discussed below, we entered into the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2012. The Credit Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 22, 2012. The Credit Agreement provides for $75.0 million in revolving credit commitments, with a $50.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and a maturity date of December 18, 2017. As of December 30, 2012, there were no draws and $36.1 million face amount of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of December 30, 2012, $38.9 million, net of the letters of credit, was available under our revolving facility under the Credit Agreement. In February 2013, we purchased $48.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt, in the open market, which consisted of $37.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.625% notes due in 2014 and $11.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.750% notes due in 2017.

 

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread ranging from 275 basis points to 425 basis points, or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 175 basis points to 325 basis points, in each case based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement provides for a commitment fee payable on the unused revolving credit ranging from 50 basis points to 62.5 basis points, based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio.

 

The financial covenants under the Credit Agreement require us to comply with a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, each measured quarterly. We are required to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 6.25 to 1.00, which ratio will decrease at the end of our first fiscal quarter of 2013 to 6.00 to 1.00 for the remainder of the term of the Credit Agreement. We are also required to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.00.

 

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The Credit Agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend if a payment would not be permitted under the indenture for the senior secured notes (discussed below). Dividends under the indenture for the senior secured notes are allowed if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 5.25 to 1.00 and the priority leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 2.75 to 1.00.

 

As of December 30, 2012, our consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 4.72 to 1.00 and consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 2.44 to 1.00. As of December 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants. Due to the significance of our outstanding debt, remaining in compliance with debt covenants is critical to our operations. If revenue declines continue beyond those currently anticipated, we expect to continue to restructure operations and reduce debt to maintain compliance with our covenants.

 

On June 22, 2012, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Previous Agreement”) to amend and replace our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from January 26, 2010. The Previous Agreement terms, among other things, (i) reduced the size of the revolving loan facility from $125.0 million to $36.1 million to cover our issuances of standby letters of credit and (ii) extended the maturity of the Previous Agreement to January 31, 2015. The new committed amount was only available for the issuance of standby letters of credit.

 

Senior Secured Notes and Indenture

 

On December 18, 2012, we issued $910 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Notes. We received approximately $889 million net of financing costs in the offering and used the net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, to repurchase all of our outstanding $846 million in aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Notes, in two separate transactions. On December 18, 2012, we repurchased $762.4 million of the 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer at a repurchase price of $1,103.40 for each $1,000 principal amount of 11.50% Notes tendered plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the tender offer of the 11.50% Notes, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $94.5 million. By January 17, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $83.6 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Notes not tendered in the tender offer and will record a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $9.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

 

The indenture for the 9.00% Notes includes a number of restrictive covenants that are applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 9.00% Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or certain of our outstanding notes or debentures prior to stated maturity; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions; 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 our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole.

 

Substantially all of our subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the 9.00% Notes and the Credit Agreement, (collectively, “senior secured debt”). We own 100% of each of the guarantor subsidiaries. Following the sale of land in Miami (see Note 3) on May 27, 2011, we have no significant independent assets or operations separate from the subsidiaries that guarantee our senior secured debt. The guarantees provided by the guarantor subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any of our subsidiaries, other than the subsidiary guarantors, are minor.

 

In addition, we have granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 9.00% 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 PP&E; leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E, which would be reflected on our consolidated balance sheet; and shares of stock and indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

 

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

 

During fiscal year 2012, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $88.4 million compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 30, 2012, we did not have any significant off-balance-sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

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Contractual Obligations:

 

As of the end of fiscal year 2012, our contractual obligations were as follows:

 

 

 

Payments Due By Period

(in thousands)

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1-3
Years

 

3-5
Years

 

More than
5 Years

Long-term debt principal (a)

 

$1,711,589

 

$83,595

 

$66,438

 

$286,138

 

$1,275,418

Interest on long-term debt

 

1,327,622

 

131,484

 

253,142

 

250,069

 

692,927

Pension obligations (b)

 

714,341

 

15,830

 

48,188

 

88,483

 

561,840

Post-retirement obligations (b)

 

15,932

 

1,859

 

3,213

 

2,767

 

8,093

Workers’ compensation obligations (c)

 

19,769

 

4,827

 

5,855

 

3,370

 

5,717

Other long-term obligations (d)

 

20,242

 

3,944

 

8,270

 

3,729

 

4,299

Financing obligations (e)

 

46,343

 

4,121

 

8,243

 

8,243

 

25,736

Other obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase obligations (f)

 

139,214

 

39,250

 

33,885

 

29,319

 

36,760

Operating leases (g)

 

80,415

 

12,276

 

19,689

 

14,381

 

34,069

Total (h)

 

$4,075,467

 

$297,186

 

$446,923

 

$686,499

 

$2,644,859

 


(a)

 

Includes $83.6 million of our 11.50% Notes with a maturity date due in 2017. However, we redeemed these 11.50% Notes in January 2013 (see Note 5) and therefore have included them in the “Less than 1 Year” column.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Retirement obligations do not take into account the tax-deductibility of the payments. The timing of the payments of these obligations reflects actuarial estimates we believe to be reasonable.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Future expected workers’ compensation payments are based on undiscounted ultimate losses and are shown net of estimated recoveries.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Primarily deferred compensation, future lease obligations and indemnification obligation reserves related to disposed newspapers.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Financing obligations include the obligation related to the contributed property, and not the sale of property in Miami, as no cash payment will be made related to this amount. See further discussion in Notes 3 and 7.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Primarily printing outsource agreements and capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment.

 

 

 

(g)

 

Excludes payments on leases included in financing obligation above.

 

 

 

(h)

 

The table excludes unrecognized tax benefits, and related penalties and interest, totaling $12.1 million because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future payments, if any, cannot be determined. The table also excludes purchase commitments associated with the purchase of 81,648 metric tons of newsprint, as the price is not determinable because it is based on the market price at the time of purchase.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The accompanying MD&A is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. The most significant areas involving estimates and assumptions are amortization and/or impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, pension and post-retirement expenses, insurance reserves, and our accounting for income taxes. We believe the following critical accounting policies, in particular, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Goodwill and Intangible Impairment:

 

We test goodwill for impairment annually (at year-end) or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such indicators of impairment may include, but are not limited to, changes in business climate such as an economic downturn, significant operating cash flow declines related to our newspapers or a major change in the assessment of future operations of our newspapers, or a sustained decline in our stock price below the per-share book value of stockholders’ equity. We conducted our annual impairment testing as of December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011, and December 26, 2010.

 

Summary of Approach and Analysis of Impairments

 

The required two-step approach to test for impairment requires the use of accounting judgments and estimates of future operating results. Because accounting standards require that impairment testing be done at a reporting unit level, we perform this testing on our operating segments (which are considered reporting units). An impairment charge generally is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We estimated fair value of the reporting units using a combination of a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model and market based approaches. The assumptions used in estimating fair value are based upon a combination of historical results and trends, new industry developments, future cash flow projections, and relevant comparable company valuation multiples for the market based approach. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The market based approach used in the valuation effort includes guideline public company method. The various valuation methods are weighted to reach a fair value conclusion for our operating reporting units. Assumptions used in the DCF model including the following:

 

·

 

The projected cash flows are based on estimates of revenues, newsprint expenses and other cash costs. While these estimates are always inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, the ability to project future operations (and in particular advertising revenues) is difficult.

 

 

 

·

 

The discount rate is determined using our weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for risks perceived by investors which are implicit in our publicly-traded stock price.

 

 

 

·

 

The amount of a goodwill impairment charge requires management to allocate the fair value of the reporting units to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets), using our best judgments and estimates in valuing the reporting unit, to determine the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

 

 

·

 

The resulting total fair value of the reporting units is then reconciled to our market capitalization, giving effect to an appropriate control premium. A goodwill impairment charge is recorded to the extent that the implied goodwill values are below the book value of goodwill for the reporting units.

 

Fair value calculations by their nature require us to make assumptions about future operating results that can be difficult to predict with certainty. They are influenced by our views of future advertising trends in the industry and in the markets in which we operate newspapers. The variability in these trends and the difficulty in projecting advertising growth, in particular, in each newspaper market are impacted by the declines in advertising in recent years. We implemented restructuring plans which have mitigated the impact of these declines on our cash flows and helped stabilize operations. Based on our analysis, at December 30, 2012, the fair values of our reporting units that primarily consists of operations in California, the Northwest and Texas, exceeded the carrying value by approximately 34%, and the operating segment that primarily consists of operations in the Southeast, the Gulf Coast and the Midwest exceeded the carrying value by approximately 22%.

 

Masthead Considerations:

 

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually (at year-end), or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief from royalty approach that utilizes a DCF to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. Our judgments and estimates of future operating results in determining the reporting unit fair values are consistently applied to each newspaper in determining the fair value of each newspaper masthead.

 

We performed our annual impairment tests on newspaper mastheads as of December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011, and December 26, 2010. As a result of our testing, we recorded a charge of $2.8 million for masthead impairments in fiscal year 2011. No impairment charges to the value of mastheads were recorded in 2012 or 2010.

 

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Other Intangible Assets Considerations:

 

Long-lived assets such as intangible assets are subject to amortization (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) and are tested for recoverability whenever events or change in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. No impairment loss was recognized on intangible assets subject to amortization in fiscal years 2012, 2011 or 2010.

 

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits:

 

We have significant pension and post-retirement benefit costs and credits that are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions including discount rates and expected returns on plan assets. We are required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in establishing these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and post-retirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future because of changes resulting from fluctuations in our employee headcount and/or changes in the various assumptions.

 

Current standards of accounting for defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans requires recognition of (1) the funded status of a pension plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation) and (2) the funded status of a post-retirement plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the accumulated benefit obligation), as an asset or liability on the balance sheet. At December 30, 2012, net retirement obligations in excess of the retirement plans’ assets were $714.3 million. This amount included $126.4 million for non-qualified plans that do not have assets and $587.9 for our qualified plan. At December 25, 2011, net retirement obligations in excess of retirement plans’ assets were $530.6 million. This amount included $108.1 million for non-qualified plans that do not have assets and $422.5 million for our qualified plan.

 

We used discount rates of 3.31% to 5.31% and an assumed long-term return on assets of 8.25% to calculate our retirement plan expenses in 2012.

 

For fiscal year 2012, a change in the weighted average rates would have had the following impact on our net benefit cost:

 

·

 

A decrease of 50 basis points in the long-term rate of return would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $6.5 million;

 

 

 

·

 

A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $0.4 million.

 

For fiscal year 2013, we expect to reduce our long-term return on assets from 8.25% to 8.00%.

 

Income Taxes:

 

Our current and deferred income tax provisions are calculated based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted, if needed, throughout the year. Adjustments between our estimates and the actual results of filed returns are recorded when identified.

 

The amount of income taxes paid is subject to periodic audits by federal and state taxing authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. These audits may challenge certain aspects of our tax positions such as the timing and amount of deductions and allocation of taxable income to the various tax jurisdictions. Income tax contingencies require significant judgment in estimating final outcomes. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates and could significantly affect the effective tax rate and cash flows in future periods.

 

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Insurance:

 

We are insured for workers’ compensation using both self-insurance and large deductible programs. We rely on claims experience in determining an adequate provision for insurance claims.

 

We used a discount rate of 1.1% to calculate workers’ compensation reserves as of December 30, 2012. A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have had an immaterial effect on total workers’ compensation reserves. A 10% increase in the claims would have increased the total workers’ compensation reserves, net of estimated recoveries, by approximately $2.0 million.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The McClatchy Company:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The McClatchy Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2012. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Sacramento, California

March 5, 2013 (June 21, 2013, as to the effects of the correction discussed in Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies, Circulation Delivery Contract Accounting Correction)

 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

 

December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)

 

December 25,

2011
(52 weeks)

 

December 26,
2010
(52 weeks)

REVENUES – NET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$914,738

 

$956,305

 

$1,049,964

Circulation

 

342,201

 

344,549

 

358,492

Other

 

52,700

 

51,000

 

52,492

 

 

1,309,639

 

1,351,854

 

1,460,948

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

443,401

 

457,707

 

519,179

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

 

140,932

 

145,874

 

136,642

Depreciation and amortization

 

125,275

 

121,528

 

133,404

Other operating expenses

 

413,895

 

425,430

 

432,840

 

 

1,123,503

 

1,150,539

 

1,222,065

OPERATING INCOME

 

186,136

 

201,315

 

238,883

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSE) INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(151,334)

 

(165,434)

 

(177,641)

Interest income

 

88

 

97

 

550

Equity income in unconsolidated companies, net

 

31,935

 

27,762

 

11,752

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

 

(88,430)

 

(1,203)

 

(10,661)

Write-down of investments and land

 

 

 

(24,447)

Other – net

 

79

 

248

 

265

 

 

(207,662)

 

(138,530)

 

(200,182)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision (benefit)

 

(21,526)

 

62,785

 

38,701

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

(21,382)

 

8,396

 

5,601

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

(144)

 

54,389

 

33,100

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

3,083

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$(144)

 

$54,389

 

$36,183

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$–

 

$0.64

 

$0.39

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

0.04

Net income (loss) per basic common share

 

$–

 

$0.64

 

$0.43

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$–

 

$0.63

 

$0.39

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

0.04

Net income (loss) per diluted common share

 

$–

 

$0.63

 

$0.43

Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

85,744

 

85,211

 

84,760

Diluted

 

85,744

 

86,044

 

85,539

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

 

December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)

 

December 25,
2011
(52 weeks)

 

December 26,
2010
(52 weeks)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$(144)

 

$54,389

 

$36,183

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and post retirement plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net gain (loss) and other components of benefit plans, net of taxes of $88,622, $66,725 and $(4,940)

 

(132,871)

 

(100,087)

 

7,410

Investment in unconsolidated companies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes of $528, $336 and $(35)

 

(791)

 

(506)

 

53

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(133,662)

 

(100,593)

 

7,463

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$(133,806)

 

$(46,204)

 

$43,646

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

December 30,

2012

 

December 25,
2011

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$113,088

 

$86,020

Trade receivables (net of allowances of $5,920 in 2012 and $7,341 in 2011)

 

177,225

 

179,046

Other receivables

 

9,555

 

13,990

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

 

30,145

 

28,842

Deferred income taxes

 

14,406

 

16,605

Other current assets

 

31,558

 

20,473

 

 

375,977

 

344,976

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

733,729

 

760,977

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

Identifiable intangibles – net

 

528,002

 

586,160

Goodwill

 

1,012,011

 

1,012,011

 

 

1,540,013

 

1,598,171

Investments and other assets:

 

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated companies

 

299,603

 

304,893

Other assets

 

55,809

 

31,042

 

 

355,412

 

335,935

 

 

$3,005,131

 

$3,040,059

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$83,016

 

$–

Accounts payable

 

48,588

 

44,727

Accrued pension liabilities

 

15,830

 

37,462

Accrued compensation

 

39,124

 

42,928

Income taxes payable

 

2,327

 

13,063

Unearned revenue

 

69,492

 

73,352

Accrued interest

 

18,675

 

49,686

Other accrued liabilities

 

14,273

 

15,676

 

 

291,325

 

276,894

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

1,587,330

 

1,577,476

Deferred income taxes

 

39,719

 

139,296

Pension and postretirement obligations

 

712,584

 

516,668

Financing obligations

 

279,325

 

272,795

Other long-term obligations

 

52,347

 

81,743

 

 

2,671,305

 

2,587,978

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock $.01 par value:

 

 

 

 

Class A (authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 61,098,820 in 2012 and 60,865,566 in 2011)

 

611

 

609

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

 

248

 

248

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,219,163

 

2,219,161

Accumulated deficit

 

(1,696,176)

 

(1,696,032)

Treasury stock at cost, 6,034 shares in 2012 and 260,170 shares in 2011

 

(29)

 

(1,145)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(481,316)

 

(347,654)

 

 

42,501

 

175,187

 

 

$3,005,131

 

$3,040,059

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$(144)

 

$54,389

 

$36,183

Less income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

(3,083)

 

 

(144)

 

54,389

 

33,100

Reconciliation to net cash from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

125,275

 

121,528

 

133,404

(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment (including impairments)

 

(988)

 

9,397

 

(254)

Contribution to qualified defined benefit pension plan

 

(40,000)

 

(163,000)

 

(8,235)

Retirement benefit expense

 

1,384

 

816

 

5,568

Stock-based compensation expense

 

3,523

 

5,174

 

4,626

Deferred income taxes

 

(9,548)

 

(18,964)

 

(26,023)

Equity income in unconsolidated companies

 

(31,935)

 

(27,762)

 

(11,752)

Distributions of income from equity investments

 

19,550

 

17,375

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

88,430

 

1,203

 

10,661

Write-off of deferred financing cost

 

 

 

2,148

Write-down of investments and land

 

 

 

24,447

Other

 

(133)

 

5,717

 

2,896

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

1,821

 

4,695

 

22,099

Inventories

 

(1,303)

 

4,480

 

3,052

Other assets

 

(4,406)

 

2,694

 

(11,299)

Accounts payable

 

(1,799)

 

(4,256)

 

523

Accrued compensation

 

4,564

 

(24,583)

 

8,264

Income taxes

 

(58,229)

 

(16,443)

 

(6,568)

Other liabilities

 

(43,137)

 

(3,233)

 

40,644

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations

 

52,925

 

(30,773)

 

227,301

Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

 

(2,106)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

52,925

 

(30,773)

 

225,195

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(34,788)

 

(16,984)

 

(15,628)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other

 

1,925

 

9,201

 

2,952

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

2,893

 

Proceeds from deposit for land

 

 

 

6,000

Purchase of certificate of deposits

 

(2,222)

 

 

Distributions from equity investments

 

19,050

 

14,250

 

24,274

Equity investments and other-net

 

(2,606)

 

(2,986)

 

(120)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(18,641)

 

6,374

 

17,478

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of notes

 

910,000

 

 

864,710

Repayment of term bank debt

 

 

 

(546,800)

Repayment of revolving bank debt, net

 

 

 

(330,700)

Repurchase of public notes and related expenses

 

(900,481)

 

(134,555)

 

(155,410)

Purchase of privately held 15.75% notes due 2014

 

 

(447)

 

(31,929)

Payment of financing costs

 

(20,990)

 

(2,552)

 

(31,986)

Proceeds from financing obligation related to Miami transaction

 

6,000

 

230,000

 

Other

 

(1,745)

 

465

 

793

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(7,216)

 

92,911

 

(231,322)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

27,068

 

68,512

 

11,351

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

86,020

 

17,508

 

6,157

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$113,088

 

$86,020

 

$17,508

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A
$.01 par
value

 

Class B
$.01 par
value

 

Additional

Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

Balance at December 27, 2009

 

$597

 

$248

 

$2,207,122

 

$(1,786,604)

 

$(254,524)

 

$(153)

 

$166,686

Net income

 

 

 

 

36,183

 

 

 

36,183

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

7,463

 

 

7,463

Issuance of 573,347 Class A shares under stock plans

 

6

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

 

1,167

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

4,626

 

 

 

 

4,626

Purchase of 78,143 shares of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

(379)

 

(379)

Tax impact from stock plans

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

6

Balance at December 26, 2010

 

603

 

248

 

2,212,915

 

(1,750,421)

 

(247,061)

 

(532)

 

215,752

Net income

 

 

 

 

54,389

 

 

 

54,389

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(100,593)

 

 

(100,593)

Issuance of 587,118 Class A shares under stock plans

 

6

 

 

973

 

 

 

 

979

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

5,174

 

 

 

 

5,174

Purchase of 144,125 shares of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

(613)

 

(613)

Tax impact from stock plans

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

 

99

Balance at December 25, 2011

 

609

 

248

 

2,219,161

 

(1,696,032)

 

(347,654)

 

(1,145)

 

175,187

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(144)

 

 

 

(144)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(133,662)

 

 

(133,662)

Issuance of 942,250 Class A shares under stock plans

 

9

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

47

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

3,523

 

 

 

 

3,523

Purchase of 454,860 shares of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,171)

 

(1,171)

Retirement of 708,996 shares of treasury stock

 

(7)

 

 

(2,280)

 

 

 

2,287

 

Tax impact from stock plans

 

 

 

(1,279)

 

 

 

 

(1,279)

Balance at December 30, 2012

 

$611

 

$248

 

$2,219,163

 

$(1,696,176)

 

$(481,316)

 

$(29)

 

$42,501

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2012, DECEMBER 25, 2011 AND DECEMBER 26, 2010

 

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The McClatchy Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) 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 based on daily circulation, our operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. Our largest newspapers include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, The Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

 

We also own a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation’s largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com; 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com; 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 11.4% of Wanderful Media (formerly ShopCo, LLC), owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising.

 

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. Due to our fiscal calendar, the year ended on December 30, 2012 (“fiscal year 2012”) encompassed a 53-week period. The year ended December 25, 2011 (“fiscal year 2011”) and the year ended December 26, 2010 (“fiscal year 2010”) both consist of 52-week periods.

 

We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

 

Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of 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 materially from those estimates.

 

Circulation Delivery Contract Accounting Correction

 

Subsequent to the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 6, 2013, we determined that circulation revenues associated with our “fee for service” contracts with distributors and carriers should be presented on a gross basis, as opposed to on a net basis as we are established as the primary obligor through subscriber agreements.  The difference in presentation results in delivery costs associated with these contracts being reported as other operating expenses, rather than as a reduction in circulation revenues, in our consolidated statements of operations.  We believe this correction is not material to our previously issued financial statements for prior periods.  Accordingly, the classifications in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011 and December 26, 2010 have been corrected in these consolidated financial statements, resulting in increases to circulation revenues and equivalent increases to other operating expenses of $78.9 million, $82.2 million and $85.7 million, respectively.  There is no impact to the previously reported operating income, net income (loss) or net income (loss) per common share in any of the periods presented.

 

Discontinued operations

 

We divested of 13 newspapers from 2006 through 2007. The sales contracts for several of the disposed newspapers include indemnification obligations. Expenses and credits related to disposed newspaper operations have been recorded as discontinued operations (see Note 8). There were no discontinued operations in fiscal years 2012 or 2011.

 

Revenue recognition

 

We recognize revenues from advertising placed in a newspaper, a website and/or a mobile service over the advertising contract period or as services are delivered, as appropriate, and recognize circulation revenues as newspapers are delivered over the applicable subscription term. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs for contracts that are not on a “fee for service” arrangement.  Circulation revenues on our “fee for service” contracts is recorded on a gross basis and associated delivery costs are recorded as other operating expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We enter into certain revenue transactions, primarily related to advertising contracts and circulation subscriptions that are considered multiple element arrangements (arrangements with more than one deliverable). As such we must: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine fair value of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value, third party evidence or best estimated selling price, as applicable and (3) allocate the total price among the various elements based on the relative selling price method.

 

Other revenues are recognized when the related product or service has been delivered. Revenues are recorded net of estimated incentives, including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-based incentives and net of sales tax collected from the customer. Revisions to these estimates are charged to revenues in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

 

Concentrations of credit risks

 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risks, are principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivables. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with major financial institutions. As of December 30, 2012, we had no cash balances at financial institutions in excess of federal insurance limits. We routinely assess the financial strength of significant customers and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographic diversity of our customers, limits our concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

We maintain an allowance account for estimated losses resulting from the risk that our customers will not make required payments. Generally, we use the aging of accounts receivable, reserving for all accounts due 90 days or longer, to establish allowances for losses on accounts receivable. However, if we become aware that the financial condition of specific customers has deteriorated, additional allowances are provided.

 

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

Balance at beginning of year

 

$7,341

 

$7,836

 

$10,298

Charged to costs and expenses

 

6,089

 

8,309

 

7,479

Amounts written off

 

(7,510)

 

(8,804)

 

(9,941)

Balance at end of year

 

$5,920

 

$7,341

 

$7,836

 

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

 

Newsprint, ink and other inventories are stated at the lower of cost (based principally on the first-in, first-out method) or current market value.

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are recorded at cost. Additions and substantial improvements, as well as interest expense incurred during construction, are capitalized. Capitalized interest was not material in fiscal year 2012, 2011 or 2010. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When PP&E is sold or retired, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the associated gain or loss is recognized.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

Estimated
Useful Lives

Land

 

$311,959

 

$308,489

 

 

Building and improvements

 

364,951

 

362,091

 

5-60 years

Equipment

 

775,397

 

784,592

 

2-25 years (1)

Construction in process

 

24,014

 

4,463

 

 

 

 

1,476,321

 

1,459,635

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(742,592)

 

(698,658)

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

$733,729

 

$760,977

 

 

 


(1)                                     Presses are 9-25 years and other equipment is 2-15 years

 

We record depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. The useful lives are estimated at the time the assets are acquired and are based on historical experience with similar assets and anticipated technological changes. Our depreciation expense was $67.1 million, $63.2 million and $74.8 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Investments in unconsolidated companies

 

We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in, and earnings or losses of, companies that we do not control but over which we do exert significant influence. We consider whether the fair values of any of our equity method investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If we consider any decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results and the overall health of the investee), then a write-down would be recorded to estimated fair value. See Note 2 for discussion of investments in unconsolidated companies.

 

Segment reporting

 

Our primary business is the publication of newspapers and related digital and direct marketing products. We have two operating segments that we aggregate into a single reportable segment because each has similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods. Each operating segment consists primarily of a group of newspapers reporting to segment managers. One operating segment consists primarily of our newspaper operations in California, the Northwest and Texas, while the other operating segment consists primarily of newspaper operations in the Southeast, the Gulf Coast and the Midwest.

 

Goodwill and intangible impairment

 

We test for impairment of goodwill annually, at year-end, or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The required two-step approach uses accounting judgments and estimates of future operating results. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. Impairment testing is done at a reporting unit level. We perform this testing on operating segments, which are also considered reporting units. An impairment loss generally is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of our reporting units is determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow model and market based approaches. The estimates and judgments that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are assumptions related to revenue growth, newsprint prices, compensation levels, discount rate and private and public market trading multiples for newspaper assets for the market based approach. We consider current market capitalization, based upon the recent stock market prices, plus an estimated control premium in determining the reasonableness of the aggregate fair value of the reporting units. See Note 4 for additional discussion.

 

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually, at year-end, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief from royalty approach which utilizes a discounted cash flow model, as discussed above, to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. See Note 4 for additional discussion.

 

Long-lived assets such as intangible assets (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) are amortized and tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. We have had no impairment of long-lived assets during fiscal years 2012, 2011 or 2010. See Note 4 for additional discussion.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Stock-based compensation

 

All stock-based payments, including grants of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and common stock under equity incentive plans, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. At December 30, 2012, we had five stock-based compensation plans. See an expanded discussion of our stock plans in Note 10.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,

2010

Stock-based compensation expense

 

$3,523

 

$5,174

 

$4,626

 

Income taxes

 

We account for income taxes using the 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.

 

Current accounting standards in the United States prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an enterprise’s tax returns. We recognize 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

 

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

 

Level 1 –  Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2 –  Observable inputs to the valuation methodology are other than Level 1 inputs and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

 

Level 3 –  Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability, and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

 

Our policy is to recognize significant transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or circumstance that caused the transfer. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

 

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, certificate of deposits (in other assets) and accounts payable.  The carrying amount of these items approximates fair value.

 

Long-term debt.  The fair value of long-term debt is determined using quoted market prices and other inputs that were derived from available market information including the current market activity of our publicly-traded notes and bank debt, trends in investor demand and market values of comparable publicly-traded debt. These are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance, and may not be representative of actual. At December 30, 2012, the estimated fair value and carrying value of long-term debt was $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.

 

Accumulated Comprehensive income (loss)

 

We record changes in our net assets from non-owner sources in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Such changes relate primarily to valuing our pension liabilities, net of tax effects.

 

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Our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

Minimum pension and post-retirement liability

 

$(473,448)

 

$(340,577)

Other comprehensive loss related to equity investments

 

(7,868)

 

(7,077)

 

 

$(481,316)

 

$(347,654)

 

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. 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 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(shares in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

Anti-dilutive stock options

 

6,814

 

5,772

 

4,283

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update requiring new disclosures about reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income. These disclosures may be presented on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The standards update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We will adopt this standards update and revise our disclosure, as required, beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

 

In July 2012, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with new guidance on annual impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets. The standards update allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. The standards update is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we adopted the amended accounting guidance related to goodwill impairment testing. The new guidance provides the option to perform a qualitative assessment by applying a more likely than not scenario to determine whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, which may then allow a company to skip the annual two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test depending on the determination. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial results or disclosures.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we adopted the single authoritative guidance on a framework on how to measure fair value and on what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The standard also clarified existing fair value measurement disclosures and made other amendments to current guidance. The adoption of these amended standards did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial results or disclosures.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we adopted the guidance that revised the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removed the presentation options in previous guidance and required 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 did not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. Accordingly, we have presented net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) in two consecutive statements.

 

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2.  INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

 

Our ownership interest and investment in unconsolidated companies consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)
Company

 

% Ownership
Interest

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

CareerBuilder, LLC

 

15.0

 

$210,365

 

$218,805

Classified Ventures, LLC

 

25.6

 

69,907

 

66,886

HomeFinder, LLC

 

33.3

 

2,573

 

1,628

Seattle Times Company (C-Corporation)

 

49.5

 

 

Ponderay (general partnership)

 

27.0

 

11,375

 

11,800

Other

 

Various

 

5,383

 

5,774

 

 

 

 

$299,603

 

$304,893

 

We received dividends and other equity distributions from our investments in unconsolidated companies as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

CareerBuilder, LLC

 

$15,000

 

$7,500

Classified Ventures, LLC

 

18,908

 

17,375

Other

 

4,692

 

6,750

 

 

$38,600

 

$31,625

 

We purchased some of our newsprint supply from Ponderay Newsprint Company (“Ponderay”) during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

Our investment in The Seattle Times Company (“STC”) is zero as a result of accumulative losses in previous years exceeding our carrying value. No future income or losses from STC will be recorded until our carrying value on our balance sheet is restored through future earnings by STC.

 

We also incurred expenses related to the purchase of products and services provided by these companies, for the uploading and hosting of online advertising on behalf of our newspapers’ advertisers.

 

The following table summarizes expenses incurred for products provided by unconsolidated companies, which are recorded in operating expenses as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

CareerBuilder, LLC

 

$1,197

 

$1,230

 

$1,272

Classified Ventures, LLC

 

14,390

 

12,552

 

11,073

Ponderay (general partnership)

 

23,813

 

20,414

 

23,048

 

As of December 30, 2012, and December 25, 2011, we had approximately $1.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, payable collectively to CareerBuilder, LLC and Ponderay.

 

The tables below present the summarized financial information for our investments in unconsolidated companies on a combined basis:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

Current assets

 

$412,959

 

$480,050

Noncurrent assets

 

584,773

 

563,286

Current liabilities

 

304,317

 

359,891

Noncurrent liabilities

 

246,543

 

228,713

Equity

 

446,872

 

454,732

 

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Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

Net revenues

 

$1,427,657

 

$1,332,394

 

$1,195,755

Operating income

 

169,236

 

154,257

 

102,863

Net income

 

141,387

 

171,305

 

95,855

 

3.  MIAMI LAND AND BUILDING

 

On January 31, 2011, our contract to sell certain land in Miami terminated pursuant to its terms because the buyer (“developer”) did not consummate the transaction by the closing deadline in the contract (“Miami Contract”). Under the terms of the Miami Contract, we are entitled to receive a $7.0 million termination fee and we have filed a claim against the developer to obtain the payment. As of December 30, 2012, we have not received the payment, nor have we recorded any amounts in our financial statements related to this fee pending the resolution of this claim. We previously received approximately $16.5 million in nonrefundable deposits, which we used to repay debt.

 

On May 27, 2011, we sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including a building, which holds the operations of one of our subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and adjacent parking lots, for a purchase price of $236.0 million. Approximately 9.4 acres of this Miami land was previously subject to the terminated Miami Contract discussed above. We received cash proceeds of $230.0 million. The additional $6.0 million was held in an escrow account for our expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of our Miami operations. In April 2012, we received these funds, which were released for payment of costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

 

As part of the sale transaction, The Miami Herald Media Company will continue to operate from its existing location through May 2013 rent-free. As a result of our continuing involvement in the property and given the fact that we will not pay rent during this period, the sale was treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, we will continue to depreciate the carrying value of the building until our operations are moved. In addition, we have recorded a $236.0 million liability (in financing obligations) equal to the sales proceeds received of $230.0 million plus the $6.0 million received from the escrow account for reimbursement of moving expenses. We are imputing rent based on comparable market rates, which will be reflected as interest expense until the operations are moved. As of December 30, 2012, no gain or loss has been recognized on the transaction. We expect to recognize a gain of approximately $10 million at the time the operations are moved since there will no longer be a continuing involvement with the Miami property.

 

In the first quarter of 2012, we purchased approximately 6.1 acres of land located in Doral, Florida, for approximately $3.1 million. We are building a new production facility on this site for our Miami newspaper operations. In January 2012, we also entered into an operating lease for a two-story office building adjacent to the new production facility. The operating lease on the office building has 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 Miami newspaper operations and for constructing the new production facility, including the purchase of the property, construction costs, accelerated depreciation and moving expenses, are estimated to be as follows:

 

·     Net cash outlays for capital expenditures related to the new facilities are estimated to be $32 million. We began incurring these costs in the first quarter of 2012. During fiscal years 2012 and 2011, we incurred approximately $17.5 million and $0.4 million of net cash outlays, respectively.

 

·     Cash expenses to relocate the Miami newspapers’ operations are expected to be $12 million. During fiscal years 2012 and 2011, our cash expenses were approximately $4.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

·     Accelerated depreciation of $13 million is expected to be incurred on existing assets expected to be retired or decommissioned in connection with the relocation. During fiscal year 2012, we accelerated depreciation on retired or decommissioned assets totaling approximately $8.3 million.

 

The relocation of the Miami newspaper operations is expected to be completed in May 2013 and related costs and expenses are expected to be incurred through the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.

 

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4.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

 

Changes in identifiable intangible assets and goodwill consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 25,
2011

 

Impairment
Charges/

Adjustments

 

Amortization
Expense

 

December 30,
2012

Intangible assets subject to amortization

 

$834,961

 

$–

 

$–

 

$834,961

Accumulated amortization

 

(452,388)

 

 

(58,158)

 

(510,546)

 

 

382,573

 

 

(58,158)

 

324,415

Mastheads

 

203,587

 

 

 

203,587

Goodwill

 

1,012,011

 

 

 

1,012,011

Total

 

$1,598,171

 

$–

 

$(58,158)

 

$1,540,013

 

(in thousands)

 

December 26,
2010

 

Impairment
Charges/
Adjustments

 

Amortization
Expense

 

December 25,
2011

Intangible assets subject to amortization

 

$834,911

 

$50

 

$–

 

$834,961

Accumulated amortization

 

(394,073)

 

 

(58,315)

 

(452,388)

 

 

440,838

 

50

 

(58,315)

 

382,573

Mastheads

 

206,387

 

(2,800)

 

 

203,587

Goodwill (1)

 

1,014,257

 

(2,246)

 

 

1,012,011

Total

 

$1,661,482

 

$(4,996)

 

$(58,315)

 

$1,598,171

 


(1)             In 2011 we identified an error in the timing of the release of certain unrecognized tax benefits obtained in the 2006 acquisition of Knight Ridder. We corrected this error by decreasing goodwill by $2.5 million in 2011. We have determined that the impact of this error is not material to the previously issued consolidated financial statements.

 

Accumulated changes in indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill as of December 30, 2012, consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Original Gross
Amount

 

Accumulated
Impairment

 

Carrying
Amount

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Amortization expense was $58.2 million, $58.3 million and $58.7 million in fiscal year 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

 

Year

 

Amortization
Expense
(in thousands)

2013

 

$57,004

2014

 

52,524

2015

 

48,030

2016

 

47,721

2017

 

48,552

 

5.  LONG-TERM DEBT

 

All of our long-term debt is in fixed rate obligations. As of December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, our outstanding long-term debt consisted of senior secured notes and unsecured notes. If applicable, they are stated net of unamortized discounts totaling $41.2 million and $57.0 million as of December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, respectfully. The unamortized discounts resulted from recording assumed liabilities at fair value during a 2006 acquisition or from the issuance of the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 (“11.50% Notes”) at an original issue discount.

 

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The face values of the notes, as well as the carrying values are as follows:

 

 

 

Face Value at

 

Carrying Value

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 30,

2012

 

December 25,
2011

Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00% senior secured notes due in 2022

 

$910,000

 

$910,000

 

$–

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

 

83,595

 

83,016

 

843,652

4.625% notes due in 2014

 

66,438

 

64,326

 

77,406

5.750% notes due in 2017

 

286,138

 

273,559

 

318,624

7.150% debentures due in 2027

 

89,188

 

83,291

 

82,891

6.875% debentures due in 2029

 

276,230

 

256,154

 

254,903

Long-term debt

 

$1,711,589

 

$1,670,346

 

$1,577,476

Less current portion

 

 

 

83,016

 

Total long-term debt, net of current

 

 

 

$1,587,330

 

$1,577,476

 

During the year ended December 30, 2012, we repurchased $832.9 million of notes in privately negotiated transactions or through the tender offer, discussed below, as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

Face Value

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

 

$767,405

4.625% notes due in 2014

 

15,000

5.750% notes due in 2017

 

50,500

Total notes repurchased

 

$832,905

 

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

 

During fiscal year 2012, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $88.4 million compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes in the open market and $762.4 million in conjunction with the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes. We repurchased most of the $70.5 million notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes we purchased, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt. This gain was offset by the write-off of fees related to the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.

 

Credit Agreement

 

In connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 (“9.00% Notes”), discussed below, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”), dated as of December 18, 2012. The Credit Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 22, 2012. The Credit Agreement provides for $75.0 million in revolving credit commitments, with a $50.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and has a maturity date of December 18, 2017. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first-priority security interest in certain of our assets. As of December 30, 2012, there were no draws and $36.1 million face amount of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement. In February 2013, we purchased $48.5 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt, in the open market, which consisted of $37.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.625% notes due in 2014 and $11.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.750% notes due in 2017.

 

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread ranging from 275 basis points to 425 basis points, or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 175 basis points to 325 basis points, in each case based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement provides for a commitment fee payable on the unused revolving credit ranging from 50 basis points to 62.5 basis points, based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio.

 

The financial covenants under the Credit Agreement require us to comply with a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, each measured quarterly. We are required to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 6.25 to 1.00, which ratio will decrease at the end of our first fiscal quarter of 2013 to 6.00 to 1.00 for the remainder of the term of the Credit Agreement. We are also required to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.00.

 

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The Credit Agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend if a payment would not be permitted under the indenture for the senior secured notes (discussed below). Dividends under the indenture for the senior secured notes are allowed if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 5.25 to 1.00 and the priority leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 2.75 to 1.00. As of December 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants.

 

On June 22, 2012, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Previous Agreement”) to amend and replace our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from January 26, 2010. The Previous Agreement terms, among other things, (i) reduced the size of the revolving loan facility from $125.0 million to $36.1 million to cover our issuances of standby letters of credit and (ii) extended the maturity of the Previous Agreement to January 31, 2015. The new committed amount was only available for the issuance of standby letters of credit.

 

Senior Secured Notes and Indenture

 

On December 18, 2012, we issued $910 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Notes. We received approximately $889 million net of financing costs in the offering and used the net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, to repurchase all of our outstanding $846 million in aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Notes, in two separate transactions. On December 18, 2012, we repurchased $762.4 million of the 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer at a repurchase price of $1,103.40 for each $1,000 principal amount of 11.50% Notes tendered plus accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the tender offer of the 11.50% Notes, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $94.5 million. By January 17, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $83.6 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Notes not tendered in the tender offer and will record a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $9.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

 

The indenture for the 9.00% Notes includes a number of restrictive covenants that are applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 9.00% Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or certain of our outstanding notes or debentures prior to stated maturity; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions; 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 our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole.

 

Substantially all of our subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the 9.00% Notes and the Credit Agreement, (collectively, “senior secured debt”). We own 100% of each of the guarantor subsidiaries. Following the sale of land in Miami (see Note 3) on May 27, 2011, we have no significant independent assets or operations separate from the subsidiaries that guarantee our senior secured debt. The guarantees provided by the guarantor subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any of our subsidiaries, other than the subsidiary guarantors, are minor.

 

In addition, we have granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 9.00% 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 PP&E; leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E, which would be reflected on our consolidated balance sheet; and shares of stock and indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

 

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Maturities

 

The following table presents the approximate annual maturities of outstanding long-term debt as of December 30, 2012, based upon our required payments, for the next five years and thereafter:

 

Year

 

Payments
(in thousands)

 

2013 (1) 

 

$83,595

 

2014

 

66,438

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

286,138

 

Thereafter

 

1,275,418

 

Debt principal

 

$1,711,589

 

 


(1)             As of December 30, 2012, we had committed to redeem our 11.50% Notes with a maturity date in 2017 in January 2013 (as discussed above). Therefore, we have included them in the “2013” column.

 

6.  INCOME TAXES

 

Income tax provision (benefit) related to continuing operations consist of:

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$4,701

 

$28,913

 

$26,625

 

State

 

(16,535)

 

(1,553)

 

4,999

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(4,701)

 

(3,316)

 

(16,672)

 

State

 

(4,847)

 

(15,648)

 

(9,351)

 

Income tax provision

 

$(21,382)

 

$8,396

 

$5,601

 

 

The effective tax rate expense (benefit) for continuing operations and the statutory federal income tax rate are reconciled as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

Statutory rate

 

(35.0)%

 

35.0%

 

35.0%

 

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

7.7

 

0.3

 

0.5

 

Changes in estimates

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

2.9

 

Changes in unrecognized tax benefits

 

(56.3)

 

(13.6)

 

(7.6)

 

Settlements

 

(32.6)

 

(10.4)

 

(19.5)

 

Other

 

4.0

 

1.5

 

3.2

 

Stock compensation

 

12.7

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

(99.3)%

 

13.4%

 

14.5%

 

 

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation benefits

 

$308,392

 

$228,367

 

State taxes

 

4,984

 

17,500

 

State loss carryovers

 

5,815

 

10,759

 

Other

 

5,280

 

6,065

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

324,471

 

262,691

 

 

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Valuation allowance

 

(4,110)

 

(9,514)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

320,361

 

253,177

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

233,214

 

258,957

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

64,317

 

65,604

 

Debt discount

 

15,059

 

18,114

 

Deferred gain on debt

 

33,084

 

33,193

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

345,674

 

375,868

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$25,313

 

$122,691

 

 

The valuation allowance relates to state net operating loss and capital carryovers. It decreased by $5.4 million in fiscal year 2012 and decreased by $5.2 million during 2011.

 

We have varying amounts of net operating loss totaling approximately $264.2 million and capital loss carryovers totaling approximately $1.7 million in several states. The net operating losses expire in various years between 2020 and 2032 if not used. The capital loss carryovers will expire in 2013 if not used prior to that time. We have approximately $1.3 million of state tax credit carryovers which do not expire.

 

As of December 30, 2012, we had approximately $12.1 million of long-term liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions consisting of approximately $8.6 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits (primarily state tax positions before the offsetting effect of federal income tax) and $3.5 million in gross accrued interest and penalties. If recognized, substantially all of the net unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that a reduction of up to $5.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest may occur within the next 12 months as a result of the closure of certain audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations. Net accrued interest and penalties at December 30, 2012, December 25, 2011, and December 26, 2010, were approximately $2.5 million, $15.5 million and $21.0 million, respectively.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits consists of the following:

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

Balance at beginning of fiscal year

 

$30,463

 

$51,992

 

$53,359

 

Increases based on tax positions in prior year

 

 

1,409

 

7,529

 

Decreases based on tax positions in prior year

 

(9,933)

 

(13,475)

 

(1,148)

 

Increases based on tax positions in current year

 

745

 

2,213

 

1,811

 

Settlements

 

(643)

 

 

(784)

 

Lapse of statute of limitations

 

(11,983)

 

(11,676)

 

(8,775)

 

Balance at end of fiscal year

 

$8,649

 

$30,463

 

$51,992

 

 

As of December 30, 2012, the following tax years and related taxing jurisdictions were open:

 

Taxing Jurisdiction

 

Open
Tax Year

 

Years Under
Exam

 

Federal

 

2009-2012

 

 

 

Oregon

 

2006-2012

 

2006-2008

 

Florida

 

2009-2012

 

2009-2010

 

Washington, D.C.

 

2006, 2009-2012

 

2006

 

New York

 

2008-2012

 

2008-2011

 

Illinois

 

2008-2012

 

2008-2009

 

California

 

2008-2012

 

2009-2010

 

Other States

 

2006-2012

 

 

 

 

7.  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

 

We have a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Plan”) covering substantially all of our employees who began their employment prior to March 31, 2009. Effective March 31, 2009, the Plan was frozen such that no new participants may enter the Plan and no further benefits will accrue. However, years of service continue to count toward early retirement calculations and vesting of benefits previously earned.

 

We also have 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

 

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largely included in other long-term obligations. We paid $8.2 million in fiscal year 2012, $7.4 million in fiscal year 2011 and $7.5 million in fiscal year 2010 for these plans.

 

The following tables provide reconciliations of the pension and post-retirement benefit plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of assets and funded status as of December 30, 2012, and December 25, 2011:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

(in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Change in Benefit Obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

 

$1,763,859

 

$1,634,124

 

$27,474

 

$30,585

 

Service cost

 

5,540

 

5,600

 

 

 

Interest cost

 

91,898

 

92,961

 

946

 

1,358

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

 

817

 

1,044

 

Actuarial (gain)/loss

 

305,952

 

120,283

 

(2,400)

 

(1,796)

 

Gross benefits paid

 

(89,213)

 

(83,660)

 

(3,285)

 

(3,717)

 

Plan amendment

 

 

 

(7,620)

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

(4,818)

 

(5,449)

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

 

$2,073,218

 

$1,763,859

 

$15,932

 

$27,474

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

(in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Change in Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

 

$1,233,305

 

$1,051,410

 

$–

 

$–

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

171,481

 

50,778

 

 

 

Employer contribution

 

48,122

 

220,227

 

2,468

 

2,673

 

Plan participants’ contributions

 

 

 

817

 

1,044

 

Gross benefits paid

 

(89,213)

 

(83,660)

 

(3,285)

 

(3,717)

 

Administrative expenses

 

(4,818)

 

(5,449)

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

 

$1,358,877

 

$1,233,306

 

$–

 

$–

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

(in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Funded Status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

$1,358,877

 

$1,233,306

 

$–

 

$–

 

Benefit obligations

 

(2,073,218)

 

(1,763,859)

 

(15,932)

 

(27,474)

 

Funded status and amount recognized, end of year

 

$(714,341)

 

$(530,553)

 

$(15,932)

 

$(27,474)

 

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 consists of:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

(in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Current liability

 

$(15,830)

 

$(37,462)

 

$(1,859)

 

$(3,897)

 

Noncurrent liability

 

(698,511)

 

(493,091)

 

(14,073)

 

(23,577)

 

 

 

$(714,341)

 

$(530,553)

 

$(15,932)

 

$(27,474)

 

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 consist of:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

(in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net actuarial loss/(gain)

 

$815,385

 

$585,839

 

$(11,380)

 

$(9,634)

 

Prior service cost/(credit)

 

26

 

41

 

(14,952)

 

(8,618)

 

 

 

$815,411

 

$585,880

 

$(26,332)

 

$(18,252)

 

 

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The elements of retirement and post-retirement costs for continuing operations are as follows:

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

Pension plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Cost

 

$5,540

 

$5,600

 

$5,885

 

Interest Cost

 

91,898

 

92,961

 

93,796

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(107,760)

 

(104,251)

 

(96,151)

 

Prior service cost amortization

 

14

 

14

 

14

 

Actuarial loss

 

12,687

 

6,726

 

2,229

 

Net pension expense

 

2,379

 

1,050

 

5,773

 

Net post-retirement benefit (credit) expense

 

(995)

 

(234)

 

(205)

 

Deferred compensation plan expense (credit)

 

 

(71)

 

10,790

 

Net retirement expenses

 

$1,384

 

$745

 

$16,358

 

 

Our discount rate was determined by matching a portfolio of long-term, non-callable, high quality bonds to the plans’ projected cash flows.

 

Weighted average assumptions used for valuing benefit obligations were:

 

 

 

Pension Benefit
Obligations

 

Post-retirement
Obligations

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Discount rate

 

4.17%

 

5.32%

 

3.39%

 

4.26%

 

 

Weighted average assumptions used in calculating expense:

 

 

 

Pension Benefit Expense

 

Post-retirement Expense

 

 

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

 

Expected long-term return on plan assets

 

8.25%

 

8.25%

 

8.25%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Discount rate

 

5.31%

 

5.90%

 

6.05%

 

4.26%/3.31% (1)

 

4.84%

 

5.09%

 

 


(1)             4.26% for January 2012 to September 2012; 3.31% for October 2012 to December 2012 due to plan change.

 

For the post-retirement plans, the medical cost trend rates are expected to decline from 7.5% in 2012 to 5.0% by the year 2018. As of December 30, 2012, a 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the benefit obligation by $0.6 million and a 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would decrease the benefit obligation by $0.6 million. As of December 25, 2011, a 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the benefit obligation by $1.1 million, and a 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would decrease the benefit obligation by $1.0 million.

 

Contributions and Cash Flows

 

In January 2011, we contributed owned real property from seven locations to our Plan. The Plan obtained independent appraisals of the property and, based on these appraisals, recorded the contribution at the fair value of $49.7 million. We entered into leases for the seven contributed properties for 10 years and expect to continue to use the seven properties in our newspaper operations. The properties are managed on behalf of the Plan by an independent fiduciary.

 

The contribution and leaseback of the properties was treated as a financing transaction and, accordingly, we continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in our financial statements. No gain or loss has been recognized on the contribution. Our pension obligation was 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 the lease payments made to the Plan each month. The balance of this obligation at December 30, 2012, was $46.3 million.

 

In May 2011, we used proceeds from the sale of property in Miami (see Note 3) to contribute $163.0 million to the Plan.

 

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In January 2012, we contributed $40.0 million of cash to the Plan. In January 2013, we contributed $7.5 million of cash to the Plan, which we expect will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2013. We do not expect to make any additional contributions to the Plan during fiscal year 2013.

 

Expected benefit payments to retirees under our retirement and post-retirement plans over the next 10 years are summarized below:

 

(in thousands)

 

Retirement
Plans 
(1)

 

Post-retirement
Plans

 

2013

 

$91,119

 

$1,859

 

2014

 

93,630

 

1,681

 

2015

 

97,071

 

1,532

 

2016

 

100,499

 

1,427

 

2017

 

105,278

 

1,340

 

2018-2022

 

582,046

 

5,448

 

Total

 

$1,069,643

 

$13,287

 

 


(1)             Largely to be paid from the qualified defined benefit pension plan

 

Plan Assets

 

Our investment policies are designed to maximize Plan returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, with an investment horizon of greater than 10 years so that interim investment returns and fluctuations are viewed with appropriate perspective. The policy also aims to maintain sufficient liquid assets to provide for the payment of retirement benefits and plan expenses, hence, small portions of the equity and debt investments are held in marketable mutual funds.

 

Our policy seeks to provide an appropriate level of diversification of assets, as reflected in its target allocations, as well as limits placed on concentrations of equities in specific sectors or industries. It uses a mix of active managers and passive index funds and a mix of separate accounts, mutual funds, common collective trusts and other investment vehicles.

 

Our assumed long-term return on assets was developed using a weighted average return based upon the Plan’s portfolio of assets and expected returns for each asset class, taking into account projected inflation, interest rates and market returns. The assumed return was also reviewed in light of historical and recent returns in total and by asset class.

 

As of December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2012, the target allocations for the plan assets were 60% equity securities, 28% debt securities, 7% real estate securities and 5% commodities.

 

The table below summarizes the plan’s financial instruments for fiscal year 2012 that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above:

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

Plan Assets

 

(in thousands)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$1,161

 

$–

 

$–

 

$1,161

 

Mutual fund

 

257,398

 

 

 

257,398

 

Corporate debt instruments

 

 

98

 

 

98

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

107,337

 

 

107,337

 

Common collective trusts

 

 

928,730

 

 

928,730

 

Real estate

 

 

 

51,579

 

51,579

 

Other

 

 

 

6,408

 

6,408

 

Total

 

$258,559

 

$1,036,165

 

$57,987

 

1,352,711

 

Pending trades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,358,877

 

 

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The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the plan’s Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 30, 2012:

 

(in thousands)

 

Real Estate

 

Private Equity

 

Total

 

Beginning Balance, December 25, 2011

 

$50,530

 

$8,899

 

$59,429

 

Purchases, issuances, sales, settlements

 

 

 

 

Realized gains

 

3,747

 

27

 

3,774

 

Transfer in or out of level 3

 

(3,747)

 

(3,820)

 

(7,567)

 

Unrealized gains

 

1,049

 

1,302

 

2,351

 

Ending Balance, December 30, 2012

 

$51,579

 

$6,408

 

$57,987

 

 

The table below summarizes the plan’s financial instruments for fiscal year 2011 that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above:

 

 

 

2011
Plan Assets

(in thousands)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$30,816

 

$–

 

$–

 

$30,816

Mutual funds

 

40,861

 

 

 

40,861

Corporate stock

 

211

 

 

 

211

Corporate debt instruments

 

 

86,776

 

 

86,776

U.S. Government securities

 

 

236,063

 

 

236,063

Common collective trusts

 

 

764,983

 

 

764,983

Mortgage and asset backed securities

 

 

22,265

 

 

22,265

Real estate

 

 

 

50,530

 

50,530

Other

 

 

14,418

 

8,899

 

23,317

Total

 

$71,888

 

$1,124,505

 

$59,429

 

1,255,822

Pending trades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,516)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,233,306

 

The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the plan’s Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 25, 2011:

 

(in thousands)

 

Real Estate

 

Private Equity

 

Receivable

 

Total

Beginning Balance, December 26, 2010

 

$–

 

$7,792

 

$28,936

 

$36,728

Purchases, issuances, sales, settlements

 

49,710

 

 

(28,936)

 

20,774

Realized gains

 

3,472

 

 

 

3,472

Transfer in or out of level 3

 

(3,472)

 

 

 

(3,472)

Unrealized gains

 

820

 

1,107

 

 

1,927

Ending Balance, December 25, 2011

 

$50,530

 

$8,899

 

$–

 

$59,429

 

Cash and cash equivalents.  The carrying value of these items approximates fair value.

 

Mutual funds.  These investments are publicly traded investments, which are valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV of the mutual funds is a quoted price in an active market. The NAV is determined once a day after the closing of the exchange based upon the underlying assets in the fund, less the fund’s liabilities, expressed on a per-share basis.

 

Corporate stock.  The fair value of corporate stock is based on the exchange quoted market prices. When quoted prices are not available for identical stock, an industry standard valuation model is used which maximizes observable inputs.

 

Corporate debt instruments.  The fair value of corporate debt instruments is based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for identical or similar debt instruments, the fair value is based upon an industry valuation model, which maximizes observable inputs.

 

U.S. Government securities.  U.S. government securities primarily consist of investments in U.S. Treasury Bonds, Indexed Linked Bonds and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities. The fair value of U.S. government securities is based on quoted market prices when available or is based on yields currently available on comparable securities or on an industry valuation model, which maximizes observable inputs.

 

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Common collective trusts.  These investments are valued based on the NAV of the underlying investments and are provided by the fund issuers. NAV for these funds represent the quoted price in a non-market environment. There are no restrictions on participants’ ability to withdraw funds from the common collective trusts.

 

Mortgage and asset backed securities.  Mortgage and asset backed securities are valued using quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information, including market interest rate curves, referenced credit spreads, and estimated prepayment rates, where applicable.

 

Real estate.  On January 14, 2011, we contributed Company-owned real property from seven locations to our Plan. The Plan obtained independent appraisals of the property, and based on these appraisals, the Plan recorded the contribution at fair value on January 14, 2011. The properties are leased by us for our newspaper operations. The properties are managed on behalf of the Plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the leases between us and the Plan were negotiated with the fiduciary. The property is valued by independent appraisals conducted under the direction of the independent fiduciary.

 

Other.  Other includes:

 

Private equity fund.  Private equity funds represent investments in limited partnerships, which invest in start-up or other private companies. Fair value is estimated based on valuations of comparable public companies, recent sales of comparable private and public companies, and discounted cash flow analysis of portfolio companies and is included as a Level 3 investment in the table above.

 

401(k) Plan

 

We provide or subsidize certain life insurance benefits for employees. In addition we have separate deferred compensation plans (“401(k) plan”) for employees, which enable qualified employees to voluntarily defer compensation. On March 31, 2009, we temporarily suspended our matching contribution to the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan, as amended, includes a Company match (once reinstated) and a supplemental contribution that is tied to our performance (as defined in the plan).

 

8.  CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Cash paid during the fiscal year 2012, 2011 and 2010 for interest and income taxes were:

 

 

 

Years Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 30,
2012

 

December 25,
2011

 

December 26,
2010

Interest paid (net of amount capitalized) (1)

 

$173,742

 

$152,543

 

$123,402

Income taxes paid (net of refunds)

 

37,137

 

32,613

 

37,246

 


(1)             The fiscal year 2012 interest paid includes $30.0 million of interest accelerated as a result of the refinance of the 11.50% Notes as discussed in Note 5.

 

In January 2011, we contributed real property valued at $49.7 million to our defined benefit pension plan and have recorded a financing obligation equal to the same amount for leases entered into with the defined benefit pension plan for our operations. In addition, in 2011 we sold property in Miami but retained use of the property rent free through May 2013. As a result the transaction was treated as a financing transaction (see Note 3 for a description of this transaction and the related accounting treatment) and land was transferred to PP&E.

 

These non-cash transactions are summarized below:

 

 

 

Year Ended

(in thousands)

 

December 25,
2011

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

 

We had $5.7 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million of non-cash financing activities related to purchases of PP&E on credit as of the end of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We had $1.0 million of non-cash financing activities related to financing costs for our 9.00% Notes issuance as of the end of fiscal year 2012.

 

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Net cash from operating activities of discontinued operations are summarized below:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 26,
2010

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

$3,083

Reconciliation to net cash from discontinued operations:

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities and other, net

 

(5,189)

Net cash from operating activities of discontinued operations

 

$(2,106)

 

We had no discontinued operations in fiscal years 2012 or 2011.

 

9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

As of December 30, 2012, we had purchase obligations primarily related to printing outsource agreements and capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment expiring at various dates through 2028, totaling $139.2 million. The following table summarizes our purchase obligations as of December 30, 2012 and the estimated timing and effect the obligations will have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 

Year

 

(in thousands)

2013

 

$39,250

2014

 

18,039

2015

 

15,846

2016

 

14,966

2017

 

14,353

Thereafter

 

36,760

Total

 

$139,214

 

As of December 30, 2012, we had a fiscal year 2013 purchase commitment of 81,648 metric tons of newsprint from SP Fiber Technologies.

 

Lease commitments

 

We rent certain facilities and equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2028. Total rental expense, included in other operating expenses, from continuing operations amounted to $12.5 million in fiscal year 2012, $13.3 million in fiscal year 2011 and $14.5 million in fiscal year 2010. Most of the leases provide that we pay taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses applicable to the leased premises in addition to the minimum monthly payments. Some of the operating leases have built in escalation clauses.

 

We sublease office space to other companies under noncancellable agreements that expire at various dates through 2019. Sublease income from operating leases totaled $3.8 million, $4.4 million and $3.0 million in fiscal year 2012, 2011 and fiscal year 2010, respectively.

 

Minimum rental commitments under operating leases with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year and sublease income from leased space are:

 

(in thousands)

 

Lease

 

Sublease

 

 

Year

 

Obligation

 

Income

 

Net Amount

2013

 

$12,276

 

$(2,968)

 

$9,308

2014

 

10,798

 

(1,899)

 

8,899

2015

 

8,891

 

(1,412)

 

7,479

2016

 

7,419

 

(733)

 

6,686

2017

 

6,962

 

(310)

 

6,652

Thereafter

 

34,069

 

(441)

 

33,628

Total

 

$80,415

 

$(7,763)

 

$72,652

 

Self-Insurance

 

We retain the risk for workers’ compensation resulting from uninsured deductibles per accident or occurrence that are subject to annual aggregate limits. Losses up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon known claims incurred and an

 

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estimate of claims incurred but not reported. For the year ended December 30, 2012, we compiled our historical data pertaining to the self-insurance experiences and actuarially developed the ultimate loss associated with our self-insurance programs for workers’ compensation liability. We believe that the actuarial valuation provides the best estimate of the ultimate losses to be expected under these programs.

 

The undiscounted ultimate losses of all our self-insurance reserve related to our workers’ compensation liabilities, net of insurance recoveries at December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, were $19.8 million and $20.5 million, respectively. Based on historical payment patterns, we expect payments of undiscounted ultimate losses, net of estimated insurance recoveries of approximately $9.1 million, to be as follows:

 

Year

 

Net Amount
(in thousands)

2013

 

$4,827

2014

 

3,377

2015

 

2,478

2016

 

1,889

2017

 

1,481

Thereafter

 

5,717

Total

 

$19,769

 

We discount the net amount above to present value using an approximate risk-free rate over the average life of our insurance claims. For the years ended December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, the discount rate used was 1.1% and 1.4%, respectively. The present value of all self-insurance reserves, net of estimated insurance recoveries, for our workers’ compensation liability recorded at December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, was $19.8 million and $20.4 million, respectively.

 

Legal Proceedings and other contingent claims

 

We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings (including libel, employment, wage and hour, independent contractor and other legal actions) and governmental proceedings (including environmental matters) that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. We are unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible losses. However, we currently believe, after reviewing such actions with counsel, that the expected outcome of pending actions will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. No material amounts for any losses from litigation that may ultimately occur have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements as we believe that any such losses are not probable.

 

We have certain indemnification obligations related to the sale of assets including but not limited to insurance claims and multi-employer pension plans of disposed newspaper operations. We believe the remaining obligations related to disposed assets will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In fiscal year 2010, we reversed a reserve, and recorded income, of $6.5 million related to certain of the indemnification obligations as the related newspapers paid current amounts and showed us their ability to continue to meet their obligations.

 

In addition to the $36.1 million of standby letters of credit secured under the Credit Agreement (see Note 5 for further discussion), we have $2.2 million in letters of credit arising from insurance and other potential claims. These letters of credit are collateralized with $2.2 million in certificates of deposit and are recorded as other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

10.  COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS

 

Common Stock

 

We have two classes of stock; Class A and Class B Common Stock. Both classes of stock participate equally in dividends. Holders of Class B are entitled to one vote per share and to elect as a class 75% of the Board of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one-tenth of a vote per share and to elect as a class 25% of the Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number.

 

Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.

 

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The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the Company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more “Permitted Transferees,” subject to certain exceptions. A “Permitted Transferee” is any of our current holders of shares of Class B Common Stock; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy (1858 to 1936); or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy.

 

Generally, Class B shares can be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless, following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total number of all our outstanding shares of common stock). In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as “Option Events,” each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholder’s ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, we have the option of purchasing the remaining shares. The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

 

Stock Plans

 

During fiscal year 2012, we had five stock-based compensation plans, which are described below.

 

We have two stock option plans which reserved Class A Common shares for issuance to key employees – the 1994 and 1997 plans (“Employee Plans”). Terms of each of the Employee Plans are substantially the same. Options are granted at the market price of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. The options vest in installments over four years, and once vested are exercisable up to 10 years from the date of grant. Although the plans permit us, at our sole discretion, to settle unexercised options by granting stock appreciation rights, we do not intend to avail ourselves of this alternative for option grants made under these plans. Both of these plans (which had 122,500 outstanding grants at December 30, 2012) have expired and have been replaced by the 2004 stock incentive plan.

 

Our amended and restated stock option plan for outside directors (the “2001 Director Plan”) provided for the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock. Generally, under this plan each non-employee director was granted, at the conclusion of each regular annual meeting of stockholders, an option to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock at fair market value on the date of the grant. Terms of the 2001 Director Plan are similar to the terms of the Employee Plans. This plan (which had 21,000 outstanding grants at December 30, 2012) expired and was replaced by the 2004 stock incentive plan (see the discussion below).

 

We have a stock incentive plan (the “2004 Plan”) that reserves 9,000,000 Class A Common shares for issuance to key employees and outside directors. Terms of the 2004 Plan are similar to the Employee Plans and 2001 Director Plan, except that the 2004 Plan permits the following type of incentive awards in addition to common stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”): restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock units and dividend equivalent rights.

 

We award stock-settled SARs in lieu of stock options. The SARs were granted at fair market value, have a 10-year term and generally vest in four equal annual installments beginning on March 1 following the year for which the award was made.

 

In May 2012 the shareholders approved The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan generally provides for granting of stock options or SARs only at an exercise price at least equal to fair market value on the grant date; a 10-year maximum term for stock options and SARs; no repricing of stock options or SARs without prior shareholder approval; and no reload or “evergreen” share replenishment features.

 

Prior to fiscal year 2012, we also had an Amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”), which reserved 4,625,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance to employees. Eligible employees were able to purchase shares at 85% of “fair market value” (as defined by the Purchase Plan) through payroll deductions. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we issued shares from our Purchase Plan that exhausted substantially all of the shares reserved under the plan for issuance and we suspended the plan at that time.

 

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Stock Plans Activity

 

In fiscal year 2012, we granted 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director, resulting in the issuance of 150,000 shares from the 2012 Plan. In fiscal year 2011, we granted 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director, resulting in the issuance of 150,000 shares from the 2004 Plan.

 

We granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) at fair market value on the date of grant to certain key employees from the 2004 Plan and 2012 Plan as summarized below. The RSUs generally vest two to three years after grant date but terms of each grant is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors.

 

The following table summarizes the RSUs stock activity:

 

 

 

RSUs

 

Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value

Nonvested – December 27, 2009

 

845,000

 

$3.42

Nonvested – December 26, 2010

 

845,000

 

$3.42

Granted

 

740,000

 

$4.08

Forfeited

 

(140,000)

 

$3.70

Nonvested – December 26, 2011

 

1,445,000

 

$3.73

Granted

 

1,082,000

 

$2.59

Vested

 

(765,000)

 

$3.42

Forfeited

 

(660,000)

 

$3.48

Nonvested – December 30, 2012

 

1,102,000

 

$2.98

 

As of December 30, 2012, the total fair value of the RSUs that vested during the period was $2.0 million. As of December 30, 2012, there were $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation costs for nonvested RSUs, which are expected to be recognized over 1.8 years.

 

Outstanding options and SARs are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Options/
ŚARs

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)

Outstanding December 26, 2009

 

7,039,850

 

$26.79

 

$3,086

Granted

 

10,000

 

$4.96

 

 

Exercised

 

(119,250)

 

$1.70

 

$388

Forfeited

 

(44,250)

 

$7.07

 

 

Expired

 

(254,150)

 

$40.53

 

 

Outstanding December 26, 2010

 

6,632,200

 

$26.82

 

$6,060

Granted

 

1,078,500

 

$4.08

 

 

Exercised

 

(152,750)

 

$1.73

 

$382

Forfeited

 

(132,250)

 

$3.99

 

 

Expired

 

(702,450)

 

$47.86

 

 

Outstanding December 25, 2011

 

6,723,250

 

$22.01

 

$874

Granted

 

1,017,500

 

$2.76

 

 

Exercised

 

(27,250)

 

$1.70

 

$33

Forfeited

 

(1,217,750)

 

$54.52

 

 

Expired

 

(301,250)

 

$48.33

 

 

Outstanding December 30, 2012

 

6,194,500

 

$11.45

 

$1,846

Vested and Expected to Vest December 30, 2012

 

5,970,603

 

$11.74

 

$1,810

Options exercisable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 26, 2010

 

3,572,450

 

 

 

$869

December 25, 2011

 

4,082,500

 

 

 

$397

December 30, 2012

 

3,826,250

 

 

 

$1,335

 

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As of December 30, 2012, there were $2.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to options and SARs granted under our plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

 

The following tables summarize information about stock options and SARs outstanding in the stock plans at December 30, 2012:

 

Range of Exercise
Prices

 

Options/SARs
Outstanding

 

Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Options/SARs
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

$1.50 – $9.07

 

4,273,500

 

6.85

 

$2.94

 

1,941,000

 

$2.65

$9.73 – $35.94

 

1,128,750

 

4.17

 

$13.20

 

1,128,750

 

$13.20

$40.95 – $73.36

 

756,500

 

2.63

 

$54.93

 

756,500

 

$54.93

Total

 

6,158,750

 

5.82

 

$11.45

 

3,826,250

 

$16.10

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life on options exercisable at December 30, 2012, was 4.46 years. The weighted average remaining contractual life of options vested and expected to vest at December 30, 2012, was 5.73 years. The fair value of the stock options and SARs granted was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected life of the options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding using the historical exercise behavior of employees. The expected dividend yield is based on historical dividends declared per year, giving consideration for any anticipated change and the estimated stock price over the expected life of the options based on historical experience. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life for shares granted. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

Expected life in years

 

6.52

 

6.16

 

6.10

Dividend yield

 

NIL

 

NIL

 

NIL

Volatility

 

0.90

 

0.87

 

0.83

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.22%

 

2.53%

 

2.77%

Weighted average exercise price of options/SARs granted

 

$2.76

 

$4.08

 

$4.96

Weighted average fair value of options/SARs granted

 

$2.09

 

$3.03

 

$3.57

 

Through the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we also offered eligible employees the option to purchase Class A Common Stock under the Purchase Plan. The expense associated with the plan was computed using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with similar assumptions to those described for stock options, except that volatility is computed using a one-year look back given the short-term nature of this option. Expense associated with the Purchase Plan is included in the stock-related compensation. There was no such plan or expense during fiscal year 2012.

 

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11.  QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

Our business is somewhat seasonal with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of increased advertising activity during the holiday seasons. The first and third quarters are historically the slowest quarters for revenues and profits. Our quarterly results are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Quarters Ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

March 25,
2012

 

June 24,
2012

 

September 23,
2012

 

December 30,
2012

Net Revenues (1)

 

$306,689

 

$320,126

 

$306,332

 

$376,492

Operating income

 

$27,975

 

$42,935

 

$32,479

 

$82,747

Net income (loss)

 

$(2,087)

 

$26,865

 

$5,093

 

$(30,015)

Net income (loss) per share

 

$(0.02)

 

$0.31

 

$0.06

 

$(0.35)

 

 

 

Quarters Ended

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

March 27,
2011

 

June 26,
2011

 

September 25,
2011

 

December 25,
2011

Net Revenues (1)

 

$322,734

 

$336,734

 

$320,527

 

$371,860

Operating income

 

$20,455

 

$45,133

 

$45,443

 

$90,284

Net income (loss)

 

$(1,962)

 

$4,947

 

$9,399

 

$42,005

Net income (loss) per share

 

$(0.02)

 

$0.06

 

$0.11

 

$0.49

 


(1)       Certain amounts in circulation revenues have been corrected as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The following are significant activities in fiscal year 2012:

 

·                  During the quarter ended March 25, 2012, we incurred a gain on extinguishment of debt totaling $4.4 million related to bonds that were repurchased in the open market.

 

·                  During the quarter ended June 24, 2012, we had a reversal of non-cash interest expense totaling $7.8 million related to the release of tax reserves. In addition, we had a favorable adjustment to net income totaling $7.0 million for a tax settlement related to state tax positions previously taken.

 

·                  As discussed in Note 1, our fiscal year 2012 reporting period is a 53-week year versus a 52-week year in 2011, and as a result, the quarter ended December 30, 2012 includes 14 weeks compared to 13 weeks in the quarter ended December 25, 2011. Also, during the quarter ended December 31, 2012, in connection with our refinance of our 11.50% Notes, as described in Note 5, we recognized $94.5 million as a loss on extinguishment of debt.

 

The following are significant activities in fiscal year 2011:

 

·                  In the quarter ended March 27, 2011, we incurred impairment charges of approximately $10.3 million, which were recorded to other operating expenses related to the value of the real estate assets sold for less than carrying value. We also incurred severance charges totaling $4.5 million related to restructuring of our newspaper operations. These amounts were partially offset by a favorable tax settlement for $9.9 million related to state tax positions previously taken. A tax benefit of $7.6 million was recognized and the related interest expense was reduced by $3.7 million.

 

·                  In the quarter ended June 26, 2011, we incurred severance charges totaling $7.6 million related to restructuring of newspaper operations.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15.                                         EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)&(c)

 

Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules filed as a part of this Report are listed in Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

(b)

 

Exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this report, following the signature pages.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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)

 

 

 

/s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

 

Patrick J. Talamantes,

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director

June 21, 2013

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

And Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

June 21, 2013

Patrick J. Talamantes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ R. Elaine Lintecum

 

Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

June 21, 2013

R. Elaine Lintecum

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Hai Nguyen

 

Controller

 

June 21, 2013

Hai Nguyen

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

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INDEX OF EXHIBITS

(Item 15 (a) 3.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by reference herein

Exhibit
Number

 

 

Description

 

Form

 

Exhibit

 

File Date/Period End
Date

3.1

 

 

 

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 26, 2006

 

10-Q

 

3.1

 

June 25, 2006

3.2

 

 

 

The Company’s Bylaws as amended and restated effective March 20, 2012

 

8-K

 

3.1

 

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

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

February 17, 2010

10.2

 

 

 

Amendment No 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2010, among the Company and Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

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

 

8-K

 

10.3

 

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

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

September 30, 2008

10.5

 

 

 

Commitment Reduction and Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2012, among the Company and Bank of America, N.S., as Administrative Agent

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

June 25, 2012

10.6

 

 

 

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2012, among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer

 

10-Q

 

10.2

 

June 25, 2012

10.7

 

 

 

Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 18, 2012 among the Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

December 20, 2012

10.8

 

 

 

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 relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due in 2017

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

February 9, 2010

10.9

 

 

 

Purchase Agreement dated December 3, 2012, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as Representative of the several Initial Purchasers relating to the $910 million 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

10-K

 

10.9

 

March 6, 2013

10.10

 

 

 

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

 

8-K

 

4.1

 

February 17, 2010

 

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Incorporated by reference herein

Exhibit
Number

 

 

Description

 

Form

 

Exhibit

 

File Date/Period End
Date

10.11

 

 

 

Second Supplemental Indenture dated December 11, 2012 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 to 2017

 

8-K

 

4.1

 

December 20, 2012

10.12

 

 

 

Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1997, between Knight- Ridder, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as Trustee, [Knight-Ridder’s Registration Statement on Form S-3]

 

S-3

 

4.1

 

October 10, 1997

10.13

 

 

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2001, Knight- Ridder, Inc.; The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as original Trustee; and The Bank of New York, as series Trustee [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]

 

8-K

 

4

 

June 1, 2001

10.14

 

 

 

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2004, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]

 

8-K

 

4.1

 

November 4, 2004

10.15

 

 

 

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2005, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]

 

8-K

 

4.1

 

August 22, 2005

10.16

 

 

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder Inc.

 

10-Q

 

10.4

 

June 25, 2006

10.17

 

 

 

Indenture dated December 18, 2012 among The McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. relating to the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

8-K

 

4.2

 

December 20, 2012

10.18

 

 

 

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

 

8-K

 

4.2

 

February 17, 2010

10.19

 

 

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated December 18, 2012 between The McClatchy Company and J. P. Morgan Securities LLC, relating to the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

8-K

 

4.3

 

December 20, 2012

10.20

 

 

 

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

 

10-Q

 

10.42

 

June 26, 2011

10.21

 

*

 

The McClatchy Company Management Objective Plan Description

 

10-K

 

10.4

 

December 30, 2000

10.22

 

*

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

8-K

 

99.1

 

May 23, 2005

10.23

 

*

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

10-Q

 

10.26

 

June 29, 2008

10.24

 

*

 

Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

10-K

 

10.4

 

December 29, 2002

10.25

 

*

 

Amendment Number 1 to The McClatchy Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

February 10, 2009

 

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Incorporated by reference herein

Exhibit
Number

 

 

Description

 

Form

 

Exhibit

 

File Date/Period End
Date

10.26

 

*

 

Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Benefit Restoration Plan

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

July 29, 2011

10.27

 

*

 

Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Bonus Recognition Plan

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

July 29, 2011

10.28

 

*

 

Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan

 

10-Q

 

10.15

 

July 1, 2001

10.29

 

*

 

Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan

 

10-K

 

10.7

 

December 29, 2002

10.30

 

*

 

Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 1997 Stock Option Plan dated January 23, 2007

 

10-K

 

10.16

 

December 31, 2006

10.31

 

*

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Director Stock Option Plan

 

10-K

 

10.13

 

December 26, 2004

10.32

 

*

 

Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 2001 Director Option Plan dated January 23, 2007

 

10-K

 

10.18

 

December 31, 2006

10.33

 

*

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

10-Q

 

10.28

 

June 29, 2008

10.34

 

*

 

The Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated

 

10-Q

 

10.25

 

June 29, 2008

10.35

 

*

 

Form of Chief Executive Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

 

10-K

 

10.25

 

December 30, 2007

10.36

 

*

 

Form of 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

 

8-K

 

99.1

 

December 16, 2004

10.37

 

*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

 

8-K

 

99.1

 

January 28, 2005

10.38

 

*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement related to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

December 18, 2009

10.39

 

*

 

The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

DEF 14A

 

Appendix A

 

April 2, 2012

10.40

 

*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

8-K

 

10.3

 

May 18, 2012

10.41

 

*

 

Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

May 18, 2012

10.42

 

*

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary B. Pruitt dated October 2, 2003

 

10-K

 

10.10

 

December 28, 2003

10.43

 

*

 

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employee Agreement for Mr Pruitt

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

February 10, 2009

10.44

 

*

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Patrick Talamantes dated May 16, 2012

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

May 18, 2012

10.45

 

*

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated CEO Bonus Plan

 

10-Q

 

10.27

 

June 29, 2008

10.46

 

*

 

2012 Senior Executive Retention Bonus Plan

 

8-K

 

10.4

 

May 18, 2012

10.47

 

*

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its officers and directors

 

8-K

 

99.1

 

May 23, 2005

12

 

 

 

Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

10-K

 

12

 

March 6, 2013

21

 

 

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

10-K

 

21

 

March 6, 2013

23

 

 

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

 

 

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

10-K

 

23.1

 

March 6, 2013

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Incorporated by reference herein

Exhibit
Number

 

 

Description

 

Form

 

Exhibit

 

File Date/Period End
Date

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

 

 

 

Consolidated balance sheets of Classified Ventures, LLC as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity, and statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 and Report of Independent Auditors as it relates to 2012.

 

10-K

 

99.1

 

March 6, 2013

101.INS

 

**

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

**

 

XBRL Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

**

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*                      Compensation plans or arrangements for the Company’s executive officers and directors

 

**               Furnished, not filed

 

56