EX-99.1 2 q42014earningsrelease.htm Q4 2014 EARNINGS RELEASE Q4 2014 Earnings Release
Exhibit 99.1



A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014
Net Income from Continuing Operations

DALLAS - A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) today reported fourth quarter net income from continuing operations of $3.07 per fully diluted share, an increase of $2.84 per share over fourth quarter 2013. Full-year 2014 net income from continuing operations was $3.82 per fully diluted share, an increase of $3.75 per share over 2013. Fourth quarter earnings growth was due to a $77.1 million gain on the Company's divestiture of its investment in Classified Ventures, partially offset by a $7.6 million non-cash charge related to the amortization of actuarial losses in conjunction with pension settlements. Full-year earnings growth also reflects an $18.5 million gain related to the second quarter sale of apartments.com by Classified Ventures. Fourth quarter and full-year 2014 net income from continuing and discontinued operations was $56.5 million and $92.9 million, respectively.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) from continuing operations was $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease of 28 percent compared to the prior year period. Full-year 2014 adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $17.0 million, a decrease of 9 percent compared to the prior year.
As of December 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents were $158.2 million, and the Company had no debt.
Jim Moroney, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer, said, “After considering non-cash pension expenses and transaction related costs, the Company's operating income has remained strong. In 2014, digital advertising and marketing services revenues grew by 13 percent for the full year and we expanded our commercial printing revenues by 76 percent. Taken together, these areas added $11.5 million in incremental revenue to our top line in 2014, all of which helped us limit our decline in year-over-year revenue to 1.2 percent, the smallest degree of decline since the spin-off of the Company. In addition, the Company realized a significant return

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 2

on its investment in Classified Ventures, which permitted us to return significant capital to our shareholders, while providing sufficient liquidity to make additional investments in new businesses that will further diversify our sources of revenue and make the Company less dependent on revenue tied to paid print edition volumes."

Fourth Quarter Results from Continuing Operations

Total revenue was $73.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, remaining flat compared to the prior year period.
Revenue from advertising and marketing services, including print and digital revenues, decreased 5 percent to $43.3 million as display, preprint and classified advertising revenues decreased 11 percent, 7 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
Digital revenue increased 17 percent to $8.6 million primarily due to the continued growth in marketing services revenue associated with Speakeasy and increased revenue from dallasnews.com resulting from a new programmatic advertising platform and growth in both unique visitors and page views.
Advertising revenue from niche publications, which is a component of the display, preprint, classified and digital revenues reported above, decreased 12 percent to $5.9 million. This decline primarily resulted from lower classified and preprint advertising revenue at The Dallas Morning News' free, home-delivered print news product Briefing.
Circulation revenue decreased 4 percent to $21.5 million as a decline in home delivery revenue due to lower volumes was partially offset by increased single copy revenue due to higher rates.

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 3


Printing, distribution, and other revenue increased 52 percent to $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to the impact of printing the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, additional printing of two local community newspapers and two Untapped events owned and promoted by Crowdsource.
Total consolidated operating expense in the fourth quarter was $80.2 million, a 17 percent increase compared to the prior year period primarily due to a $7.6 million charge resulting from pension settlements in the fourth quarter, higher delivery and labor costs related to additional printing and distribution business, and increased severance expense, offset by lower salary and newsprint expenses.
The Company’s newsprint expense in the fourth quarter was $5.1 million, a decrease of 12 percent compared to the prior year period. Newsprint consumption declined 7 percent to approximately 9,000 metric tons. Compared to the prior year period, newsprint cost per metric ton decreased 6 percent and the average purchase price per metric ton for newsprint decreased 2 percent.

Full-Year Results from Continuing Operations

Total revenue was $272.8 million in 2014, a decrease of 1 percent compared to the prior year. This represents the second consecutive year the Company has been effective in significantly stabilizing year-over-year revenue losses attributable to declines in print related revenue. The continued improvement in year over year revenue performance in 2014 was driven by growth in printing and distribution revenues and from growth in revenues from the Company's recent initiatives in marketing services and event promotion.

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 4

Advertising and marketing services revenue decreased 6 percent to $158.2 million primarily due to declines in display, preprint and classified advertising revenues which decreased 14 percent, 6 percent and 8 percent, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by growth in digital advertising revenue of 5.6 percent, while the Company's marketing services revenue associated with 508 Digital and Speakeasy generated $8.0 million of combined revenues in 2014, an increase of 39 percent over the prior year.
Advertising revenue from niche publications, which is a component of the display, preprint, classified and digital revenues reported above, decreased 7 percent to $23.0 million, primarily due to lower preprint and classified advertising.
Circulation revenue decreased 2 percent to $84.9 million due to lower volumes, substantially offset by increased rates for home delivery and single copy.
Printing, distribution and other revenue increased 35 percent to $29.7 million primarily due to the impact of printing the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, additional printing of two local community newspapers and an increase in events promoted by Crowdsource.
Total consolidated operating expense was $280.5 million in 2014, a 2 percent increase compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by a $7.6 million charge resulting from pension settlements in the fourth quarter, higher delivery and labor costs related to additional printing and distribution business, and higher third party costs associated with classified advertising, offset by lower salary and newsprint expense. Excluding the $7.6 million non-cash pension charge, consolidated operating expense decreased 1 percent compared to the prior year.
In 2014, the Company’s newsprint expense was $19.8 million, a decrease of 11 percent compared to the prior year. Newsprint consumption decreased 9 percent to approximately 34,000 metric tons. Compared to the prior year, newsprint cost per metric ton and the average purchase price per metric ton for newsprint decreased 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 5

In 2014, the Company's total direct compensation expense decreased by $4.1 million or 4.3 percent, primarily due to headcount reductions and lower commissions. As of December 31, 2014, A. H. Belo had approximately 1,200 full-time equivalent employees, a decrease of approximately 23 percent compared to the prior year, primarily due to the sale of The Providence Journal during 2014.

Discontinued Operations

In 2014, income from discontinued operations was $6.8 million, which included a pretax gain of $17.1 million from the disposition of The Providence Journal and pretax income of $4.1 million from operations through its September 3, 2014 sale date.

Pension Plans

In 2014, the Company made required contributions to its pension plans of $9.9 million and a fourth quarter voluntary contribution of $20.0 million. The Company does not anticipate any required cash contributions to its pension plans in 2015.

In 2014, the liability for the net unfunded position of the Company's pension plans increased by $15.8 million due to $49.2 million in actuarial adjustments primarily related to lower discount rates and adoption of new mortality tables, partially offset by favorable investment performance and contributions during the year. These actuarial adjustments were recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss on the balance sheet. Pension expense for 2014 was $4.1 million, which includes the $7.6 million charge for pension settlements.


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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 6

Income Taxes

As a result of the previously discussed transactions, the Company generated taxable income in 2014. The tax provision recognized was reduced by $28.4 million for changes in the valuation allowance, which primarily resulted from the use of $19.6 million in net operating loss carryforwards.

Real Estate Holdings

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company sold the land and building formerly used as a commercial packaging operation in southern Dallas, generating sales proceeds and a gain of $6.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reconciliations of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are included as exhibits to this release.









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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 26, 2015
Page 7

Financial Results Conference Call

A. H. Belo will conduct a conference call on Friday, February 27, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. CST to discuss financial results. The conference call will be available via webcast by accessing the Company’s website (www.ahbelo.com/invest) or by dialing 1-800-230-1092 (USA) or 612-234-9960 (International). A replay line will be available at 1-800-475-6701 (USA) or 320-365-3844 (International) from 3:00 p.m. CST on February 27, 2015, until 11:59 p.m. CST on March 6, 2015. The access code for the replay is 351809.

About A. H. Belo Corporation

A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) is a leading local news and information publishing company with commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as expertise in emerging media and digital marketing. With a continued focus on extending our media platform, we are able to deliver news and information in innovative ways to a broad spectrum of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. For additional information, visit ahbelo.com or email invest@ahbelo.com.

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202
A. H. Belo Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2013 Net Income
from Continuing Operations
February 12, 2014
Page 8

Statements in this communication concerning A. H. Belo Corporation’s (the “Company’s”) business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenue, expense, dividends, capital expenditures, investments, dispositions, impairments, business initiatives, acquisitions, pension plan contributions and obligations, real estate sales, working capital, future financings and other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand and newsprint prices; newspaper circulation trends and other circulation matters, including changes in readership methods, patterns and demography; audits and related actions by the Alliance for Audited Media; challenges implementing increased subscription pricing and new pricing structures; challenges in achieving expense reduction goals in a timely manner and the resulting potential effects on operations; challenges attracting and retaining key personnel; challenges in consummating asset acquisitions or dispositions upon acceptable terms; technological changes; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by existing and new competitors and suppliers; consumer acceptance of new products and business initiatives; labor relations; regulatory, tax and legal changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions, dispositions, co-owned ventures and investments; pension plan matters; general economic conditions and changes in interest rates; significant armed conflict; acts of terrorism; and other factors beyond our control, as well as other risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the Company’s other public disclosures and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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P.O. Box 224866 Dallas, Texas 75222-4866 Tel. 214.977.8200 Fax 214.977.8201
www.ahbelo.com Deliveries: 508 Young Street Dallas, Texas 75202

A. H. Belo Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
In thousands, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Operating Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
$
43,265

 
$
45,657

 
$
158,183

 
$
167,945

Circulation
21,464

 
22,250

 
84,922

 
86,274

Printing, distribution and other
8,483

 
5,574

 
29,683

 
21,964

Total net operating revenue
73,212

 
73,481

 
272,788

 
276,183

Operating Costs and Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
33,559

 
26,804

 
111,710

 
110,412

Other production, distribution and operating costs
34,309

 
29,080

 
122,239

 
114,720

Newsprint, ink and other supplies
8,495

 
9,363

 
32,507

 
34,847

Depreciation
3,721

 
3,357

 
13,820

 
14,861

Amortization
77

 
32

 
198

 
121

Total operating costs and expense
80,161

 
68,636

 
280,474

 
274,961

Operating income (loss)
(6,949
)
 
4,845

 
(7,686
)
 
1,222

Other Income, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on equity method investments, net
76,692

 
451

 
93,898

 
2,269

Interest expense
—

 
—

 
—

 
(311
)
Other income, net
1,637

 
80

 
5,773

 
196

Total other income, net
78,329

 
531

 
99,671

 
2,154

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
71,380

 
5,376

 
91,985

 
3,376

Income tax provision
2,503

 
87

 
5,978

 
1,460

Income from Continuing Operations
68,877

 
5,289

 
86,007

 
1,916

Income from discontinued operations
298

 
3,867

 
4,064

 
665

Gain (loss) related to the divestiture of discontinued operations, net
(52
)
 
8,656

 
17,057

 
13,402

Tax expense from discontinued operations
12,653

 
195

 
14,351

 
57

Gain (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net
(12,407
)
 
12,328

 
6,770

 
14,010

Net Income
56,470

 
17,617

 
92,777

 
15,926

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(72
)
 
(22
)
 
(152
)
 
(193
)
Net Income Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
56,542

 
$
17,639

 
$
92,929

 
$
16,119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
3.09

 
$
0.23

 
$
3.84

 
$
0.07

Discontinued operations
(0.57
)
 
0.54

 
0.31

 
0.64

Net income attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
2.52

 
$
0.77

 
$
4.15

 
$
0.71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
3.07

 
$
0.23

 
$
3.82

 
$
0.07

Discontinued operations
(0.57
)
 
0.54

 
0.31

 
0.64

Net income attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
2.50

 
$
0.77

 
$
4.13

 
$
0.71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
21,943,031

 
21,972,832

 
21,899,602

 
21,967,666

Diluted
22,034,687

 
22,098,783

 
22,006,022

 
22,063,741



A. H. Belo Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
158,171

 
$
82,193

Accounts receivable, net
34,396

 
32,270

Other current assets
13,323

 
11,246

Assets of discontinued operations
565

 
42,716

Total current assets
206,455

 
168,425

Property, plant and equipment, net
61,589

 
74,863

Intangible assets, net
25,238

 
24,823

Other assets
5,465

 
11,107

Total assets
$
298,747

 
$
279,218

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
12,904

 
$
13,717

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
72,065

 
14,275

Advance subscription payments
15,894

 
14,842

Liabilities of discontinued operations
543

 
11,538

Total current liabilities
101,406

 
54,372

Long-term pension liabilities
65,859

 
50,082

Other liabilities
5,463

 
5,988

Total shareholders’ equity
126,019

 
168,776

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
298,747

 
$
279,218



A. H. Belo Corporation
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
56,542

 
$
17,639

 
$
92,929

 
$
16,119

Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
(12,407
)
 
12,328

 
6,770

 
14,010

Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(72
)
 
(22
)
 
(152
)
 
(193
)
Income from continuing operations
68,877

 
5,289

 
86,007

 
1,916

Depreciation and amortization
3,798

 
3,389

 
14,018

 
14,982

Interest expense
—

 
—

 
—

 
311

Income tax provision
2,503

 
87

 
5,978

 
1,460

EBITDA from Continuing Operations
75,178

 
8,765

 
106,003

 
18,669

Addback:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
577

 
—

 
577

 
—

Pension plan settlement loss
7,648

 
—

 
7,648

 
—

Net investment-related gains
(77,092
)
 
—

 
(97,240
)
 
—

Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations
$
6,311

 
$
8,765

 
$
16,988

 
$
18,669

The Company evaluates earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) which is presented for continuing operations by adjusting for discontinued operations and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to EBITDA recorded expenses to acquire new businesses, expense related to the settlement of pension plan obligations, net investment-related losses and non-cash impairment expense, as applicable.
Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures in internal analyses as supplemental measures of the Company’s financial performance, and for performance comparisons against its peer group of companies. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income from continuing operations, cash flows provided by operating activities or other comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.