-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, V9Y88stiN3f6eE7gD+8Upz9H9fELauOL2uPg4Ljrpg53P/itVx0rK5hZ1Dz0h3UD W7A/ktnWSkRK5I4GQD/GyQ== 0001193125-05-141881.txt : 20050714 0001193125-05-141881.hdr.sgml : 20050713 20050714061940 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-141881 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050714 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050714 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050714 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KNIGHT RIDDER INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000205520 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711] IRS NUMBER: 380723657 STATE OF INCORPORATION: FL FISCAL YEAR END: 1227 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07553 FILM NUMBER: 05953436 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 W SAN FERNANDO ST CITY: SAN JOSE STATE: CA ZIP: 95113 BUSINESS PHONE: 4089387700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 W SAN FERNANDO ST CITY: SAN JOSE STATE: CA ZIP: 95113 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS INC /FL/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19860707 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 14, 2005

 


 

Knight-Ridder, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Florida   1-7553   38-0723657

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

50 W. San Fernando Street, Suite 1500, San Jose, California   95113
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (408) 938-7700

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On July 14, 2005, Knight-Ridder, Inc. issued a press release announcing the Company’s earnings for the quarter ended June 26, 2005. The Company also issued a press release on July 14, 2005 announcing the Company’s statistical report for the month ended June 26, 2005. Copies of these press releases are furnished as exhibits to this Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1    Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release dated July 14, 2005
Exhibit 99.2    Knight-Ridder, Inc. June Statistical Report Press Release dated July 14, 2005


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
By:  

/s/ Gary R. Effren


    Gary R. Effren
    Vice President/Finance

 

Dated: July 14, 2005


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


 

Name


99.1   Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release dated July 14, 2005
99.2   Knight-Ridder, Inc. June Statistical Report Press Release dated July 14, 2005
EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC. EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

KNIGHT RIDDER

 

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

 

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

 

Knight Ridder Reports Second Quarter Results

 

SAN JOSE, July 14, 2005 – Knight Ridder (NYSE:KRI) earned $1.00 per diluted share for the second quarter, down 7.4% from the $1.08 in the second quarter of 2004.

 

Included in this quarter’s earnings per share are $.03 from the favorable resolution of prior-years’ tax issues, including interest, offset by $.01 for severance in Detroit. Included in last year’s second-quarter earnings per share were $.06 from the favorable resolution of prior years’ tax issues, including interest, and $.04 from favorable adjustments in Detroit, primarily post-retirement benefits.

 

Total advertising revenue for the quarter was $604.2 million, up 2.1% from $591.7 million in the same quarter of 2004. Total operating revenue was $761.5 million, up 0.2% from the same quarter last year. Total operating profit for the quarter was $143.3 million, down 7.5% from the $155.0 million in the same quarter of last year. Excluding the Detroit severance and adjustments referenced above, operating profit would have been down 3.5%. Net income of $74.4 million was down 13.8% from $86.3 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Excluding the Detroit issues and tax resolutions referenced above, net income would have been down 6.9%.

 

Commenting on the results, Knight Ridder Chairman and CEO Tony Ridder said, “In a pattern that has been consistent since March, the bright spots continue to be retail, help wanted and real estate. The soft spots continue to be classified automotive and national, although national did turn positive – by one-tenth of one percent! – in June. While the June ad revenue increase of 0.9% was a bit lower than April and May, it is encouraging to see that July is currently running close to 3%, with national considerably improved.

 

“For the quarter, the mid-sized and smaller markets continued to fare relatively better than the large markets. Ad revenue in the former was up 5.1%; in the large markets, it was up 0.4%. As explanation, two factors stand out: a) department store advertising for the quarter was down 6.5% in our large markets; 2) national advertising was down 7.0% in the large markets and up 9.8% in the mid-sized and smaller markets.

 

“Also encouraging is the continued growth and expansion of our online and other print products businesses. Advertising revenue at Knight Ridder Digital was up 52.7% for the quarter and is up 55.1% for the year to date. CareerBuilder network revenue of $121.3 million was up 78% over the same quarter last year. Advertising revenue for our weeklies, free dailies, shoppers and targeted publications is growing, in the aggregate, at the mid-teens rate we forecasted for the year.

 

“During the quarter, we launched a free newspaper in Berkeley to complement our five free newspapers in communities on the peninsula south of San Francisco. We purchased the Keller Citizen, a weekly newspaper in greater Fort Worth, and Carolina Bride, a wedding


magazine published quarterly in Charlotte. Recently, we announced Internet investments (through our partnership in Classified Ventures) in HomeGain.com, a Web site offering extensive information relevant to the buying or selling of homes, and NewCars.com, a leader in automotive sales lead generation.

 

“For the quarter, costs were up 2.1%, with labor and employee benefits up a modest 0.4% and newsprint, ink and supplements up 6.2%. Tight cost control is a priority for Knight Ridder, and I am extremely pleased that in an environment of rising newsprint prices, we have been able to hold the line on so many other increases.

 

“Interest expense was up, reflecting both higher rates and higher outstanding debt. Losses from equity investments decreased, reflecting better results from CareerBuilder and Seattle.

 

“During the quarter, we repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares of Knight Ridder’s outstanding stock, bringing to 3.1 million the total number of shares repurchased this year. At quarter’s end, there were approximately 73.8 million shares outstanding.

 

Comment on Operations

 

Steve Rossi, Knight Ridder senior vice president and chief financial officer, said, “For the quarter, retail advertising was up 2.2%, national was down 3.8% and classified was up 4.5%. Employment advertising was up 14.4%, real estate was up 10.7% and auto was down 6.8%.

 

“Year to date, total ad revenue is up 2.7%. Retail is up 2.6%, national is down 1.0% and classified is up 4.4%.

 

“Total ad revenue was up 2.0% in April, 3.5% in May and 0.9% in June. For the quarter, Contra Costa’s total ad revenue was up 6.5%; Miami’s was up 3.7%. Of the seven other large markets, five were positive. Charlotte showed the largest increase – up 2.2%. Kansas City and Philadelphia were soft, down 0.8% and 4.1%, respectively. All but three of the 18 mid-sized and smaller markets were up, with half of them showing ad revenue increases in the mid to high single digits or better.

 

“Retail was strongest in San Jose and Contra Costa, up 11.1% and 6.3%, respectively, and softest in Akron, St. Paul and Philadelphia, down 5.8%, 5.8% and 2.3%, respectively. In the large markets altogether, it was up 0.8%; in the mid-sized and smaller markets, it was up 3.4%.

 

“National was down 4.3% in April and 7.0% in May before turning slightly positive in June. Charlotte’s national advertising increased 11.4% during the quarter; Contra Costa’s was up 4.5%. Four of the five largest markets were soft and Fort Worth was flat. Telecommunications, travel and entertainment were all down.

 

“Classified is a pretty simple story: employment up in the low to mid teens throughout the quarter; real estate up low teens in April and high single digits in May and June; auto down throughout.

 

“Employment in the larger markets was up 11.5%, but in the mid-sized and smaller markets it was up 21.2%. With respect to real estate, the large markets trumped the smaller: up 9.3% for the quarter vs. 8.2% for the mid-sized and smaller markets. Auto showed no variation by size of market.

 

“Other revenue for the quarter was down 22.1%, primarily reflecting three factors related to Detroit: the absence of last year’s favorable adjustments (primarily post-retirement benefits), the cost of this year’s severance and, also this year, reduced operating earnings.

 

Circulation revenue was down 3.0% for the quarter (and 3.3% year to date), a consequence of lower sales volume. Circulation copies for the quarter were down 3.3% daily and 3.4% Sunday (and 2.8% daily and 3.0% Sunday year to date).


“For the quarter, total FTEs were down by 0.7%. The per ton cost of newsprint was up 9.7%. Total tons consumed declined by 4.4%. Other operating expense grew 4.5%, primarily reflecting increased marketing costs and increased cost of goods sold at Knight Ridder Digital. Depreciation and amortization was down 8.9% inasmuch as we have not yet begun to depreciate the new plant under construction in Kansas City. We will begin to depreciate a portion of it in the third quarter, as it becomes operational

 

“Total debt at quarter’s end was $1.693 billion, up approximately $195 million from year end 2004. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 36.1%.”

 

Certain statements contained in this report are forward-looking. They are based on management’s current knowledge of factors affecting Knight Ridder’s business. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated, depending upon – but not limited to – the effects of interest rates, of national and local economies on revenue, of the evolution of the Internet, of unforeseen changes in the price of newsprint and of negotiations and relations with labor unions.

 

Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI) is the nation’s second-largest newspaper publisher, with products in print and online. The company publishes 31 daily newspapers in 28 U.S. markets, with a readership of 9.0 million daily and 12.7 million Sunday. Knight Ridder also has investments in a variety of Internet and technology companies and two newsprint companies. The company’s Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company’s online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 110 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif. (FR)

 

#            #            #

 

For more information, call Vice President/Corporate Relations Polk Laffoon at 408-938-7838 (e-mail: plaffoon@knightridder.com), or Director/Corporate Communications Lee Ann Schlatter at 408-938-7839 (e-mail: lschlatter@knightridder.com), or visit Knight Ridder’s Web site at www.knightridder.com.


KNIGHT RIDDER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Quarter Ended

    Two Quarters Ended

 
     June 26,
2005


    June 27,
2004


    June 26,
2005


    June 27,
2004


 

OPERATING REVENUE

                                

Advertising

                                

Retail

   $ 273,622     $ 267,751     $ 522,795     $ 509,518  

National

     93,932       97,613       189,872       191,735  

Classified

     236,645       226,349       457,668       438,338  
    


 


 


 


Total

     604,199       591,713       1,170,335       1,139,591  

Circulation

     132,316       136,406       266,564       275,615  

Other

     24,995       32,097       49,339       57,281  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Revenue

     761,510       760,216       1,486,238       1,472,487  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS

                                

Labor and employee benefits

     302,218       301,071       612,998       607,030  

Newsprint, ink and supplements

     105,067       98,911       202,539       193,799  

Other operating costs

     187,068       179,085       368,877       353,072  

Depreciation and amortization

     23,811       26,140       47,608       52,517  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     618,164       605,207       1,232,022       1,206,418  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING INCOME

     143,346       155,009       254,216       266,069  
    


 


 


 


OTHER EXPENSE

                                

Interest expense, net of interest income

     (22,833 )     (13,244 )     (41,678 )     (27,387 )

Interest expense capitalized

     1,836       1,142       3,515       2,116  
    


 


 


 


Interest expense, net

     (20,997 )     (12,102 )     (38,163 )     (25,271 )

Equity in losses, net of earnings of unconsolidated companies and joint ventures

     (3,567 )     (7,006 )     (12,699 )     (15,073 )

Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (2,311 )     (2,572 )     (4,021 )     (4,484 )

Other, net

     (84 )     (528 )     548       (767 )
    


 


 


 


Total Other Expense

     (26,959 )     (22,208 )     (54,335 )     (45,595 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     116,387       132,801       199,881       220,474  

Income taxes

     41,992       46,539       64,986       78,274  
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 74,395     $ 86,262     $ 134,895     $ 142,200  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME PER SHARE

                                

Basic

   $ 1.00     $ 1.10     $ 1.80     $ 1.81  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ 1.00     $ 1.08     $ 1.79     $ 1.78  
    


 


 


 


DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.345     $ 0.320     $ 0.690     $ 0.640  
    


 


 


 


AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

                                

Basic

     74,072       78,497       74,817       78,751  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

     74,530       79,789       75,405       80,064  
    


 


 


 


EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC. JUNE STATISTICAL REPORT PRESS RELEASE Knight-Ridder, Inc. June Statistical Report Press Release

Exhibit 99.2

 

KNIGHT RIDDER

 

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

 

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

 

Knight Ridder Reports June Revenue and Linage

 

SAN JOSE, July 14, 2005 – (KRI:NYSE) – Total advertising revenue was up 0.9% for June. For the month, retail was up 0.7%, national was up 0.1% and classified was up 1.6%. Help wanted was up 13.9%. Real estate was up 9.0%. Auto was down 10.9%.

 

For the year to date, total advertising revenue is up 2.7%. Retail is up 2.6%, national is down 1.0%, classified is up 4.4%. Help wanted is up 15.2%. Real estate is up 7.4%. Auto is down 6.3%.

 

Total operating revenue was down 0.3% for the month and up 0.9% for the year.

 

Total ad revenue for the month was up 8.8% in Contra Costa, 5.9% in St. Paul, 1.5% in Kansas City, 0.9% in Fort Worth and 0.1% in Miami. The other large markets were soft.

 

Retail for the month was up 9.1% in Contra Costa, 4.7% in San Jose, 3.7% in Kansas City, 2.2% in Philadelphia and 1.2% in Fort Worth. Miami and Charlotte were soft.

 

National for the month was up 23.9% in Charlotte, 15.1% in Contra Costa and 9.0% in St. Paul, and was virtually flat in Fort Worth. The other large markets were soft.

 

Classified for the month was up 17.1% in St. Paul, 8.6% in Lexington, 7.6% in Wichita, 6.5% in Contra Costa, 5.9% in Miami, 3.6% in Kansas City and 0.8% in Fort Worth. San Jose, Philadelphia and Charlotte were soft.

 

Twenty-five of 27 markets had increases in employment revenue, with 17 showing double-digit gains. Among the large markets, St. Paul was up 38.6%, Columbia was up 26.8%, Fort Worth was up 18.1%, Miami was up 15.6% and Kansas City was up 13.1%.

 

Other revenue was down 9.3%, due entirely to severance expense in Detroit related to the consolidation of production operations in their new plant.

 

Circulation revenue was down 4.2% for the month.

 

Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI) is the nation’s second-largest newspaper publisher, with products in print and online. The company publishes 31 daily newspapers in 28 U.S. markets, with a readership of 9.0 million daily and 12.7 million Sunday. Knight Ridder also has investments in a variety of Internet and technology companies and two newsprint companies. The company’s Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company’s online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 110 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

(FR)

 

#        #        #


For more information, call Vice President/Corporate Relations Polk Laffoon at 408-938-7838 (e-mail: plaffoon@knightridder.com), or Director/Corporate Communications Lee Ann Schlatter at 408-938-7839 (e-mail: lschlatter@knightridder.com), or visit Knight Ridder’s Web site at www.knightridder.com.


STATISTICAL REPORT

For the period of 5/30/05 - 6/26/05

 

     June

         Year-to-Date

      
     2005

   2004

   Percent
Change


    2005

   2004

   Percent
Change


 

REVENUE ($000) - See Notes 1 & 2

                                

Advertising

                                

Retail

   81,176    80,630    0.7 %   522,795    509,518    2.6 %

National

   30,918    30,898    0.1 %   189,872    191,735    -1.0 %

Classified

   73,339    72,174    1.6 %   457,668    438,338    4.4 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total

   185,433    183,702    0.9 %   1,170,335    1,139,591    2.7 %

Circulation

   40,182    41,962    -4.2 %   266,564    275,615    -3.3 %

Other Revenue

   6,836    7,533    -9.3 %   49,339    57,281    -13.9 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total Operating Revenue

   232,451    233,197    -0.3 %   1,486,238    1,472,487    0.9 %
    
  
        
  
      

AVERAGE CIRCULATION

                                

(000’s of copies including Detroit) - Notes 1 & 2

                                

Morning

   3,324    3,468    -4.1 %   3,520    3,607    -2.4 %

Evening

   149    172    -13.6 %   156    174    -10.6 %

Daily

   3,473    3,640    -4.6 %   3,676    3,782    -2.8 %

Sunday

   4,801    5,031    -4.6 %   4,976    5,131    -3.0 %

ADVERTISING LINAGE

                                

(000’s of six-column inches) - Notes 1 & 2

                                

Full-Run ROP

                                

Retail

   1,029.5    1,069.9    -3.8 %   6,585.8    6,788.2    -3.0 %

National

   256.7    260.1    -1.3 %   1,613.0    1,655.5    -2.6 %

Classified

   1,452.0    1,511.5    -3.9 %   9,074.5    9,238.2    -1.8 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total

   2,738.2    2,841.5    -3.6 %   17,273.3    17,682.0    -2.3 %
    
  
        
  
      

Factored Part-Run ROP

   199.9    204.1    -2.1 %   1,247.7    1,240.5    0.6 %
    
  
        
  
      

TOTAL PREPRINTS INSERTED

   592,437    594,980    -0.4 %   3,803,691    3,752,260    1.4 %
    
  
        
  
      


Statistical Report

For the period of 5/30/05 - 6/26/05

 

     June

  

Percent
Change


    Year-to-Date

  

Percent
Change


 
     2005

   2004

     2005

   2004

  

FULL-RUN ROP ADVERTISING LINAGE DATA

                                

By Markets (000’s of six-column inches) - Notes 1 & 2

                                

Akron Beacon Journal

   115.9    128.4    -9.7 %   721.3    754.0    -4.3 %

Charlotte Observer

   124.9    124.7    0.2 %   791.3    787.1    0.5 %

Columbia State

   89.9    94.1    -4.5 %   542.8    585.6    -7.3 %

Contra Costa (Note 3)

   115.4    107.3    7.5 %   705.9    678.4    4.1 %

Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Journal Gazette

   111.7    110.8    0.8 %   694.6    675.3    2.9 %

Fort Worth Star Telegram

   172.4    183.5    -6.0 %   1,042.2    1,123.7    -7.3 %

Kansas City Star

   160.1    160.6    -0.3 %   1,005.9    989.5    1.6 %

Lexington Herald-Leader

   96.6    90.3    7.0 %   566.9    577.0    -1.8 %

Miami Herald & el Nuevo Herald

   152.0    147.1    3.3 %   1,043.2    995.7    4.8 %

Philadelphia Newspapers

   163.0    182.3    -10.6 %   1,060.4    1,155.0    -8.2 %

St. Paul Pioneer Press

   100.4    99.9    0.5 %   596.0    618.7    -3.7 %

San Jose Mercury News

   172.5    198.5    -13.1 %   1,064.8    1,202.9    -11.5 %

Wichita Eagle

   79.6    75.9    4.9 %   492.2    437.4    12.5 %

All Other Dailies

   1,083.8    1,138.2    -4.8 %   6,945.6    7,102.0    -2.2 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total - Full-Run ROP

   2,738.2    2,841.5    -3.6 %   17,273.3    17,682.0    -2.3 %
    
  
        
  
      

 

Note 1 - The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press operate under a joint operating agreement as Detroit Newspapers (DN). Revenue and linage are excluded for 2005 and 2004.

 

Note 2 - Measured by individual Knight Ridder newspapers. Where necessary, certain previously reported linage has been restated to be consistent with measurement guidelines currently in use.

 

Note 3 - Full-run ROP advertising linage represents the sum of full-run ROP linage for each of Contra Costa’s three newspapers.

 

# # # # # # # # # # #

 

For further information, call Polk Laffoon IV at 408-938-7838

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