-----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, TpEBj41b3Fk/Xmf5Zb9I+oK5sMmN3VLQwhNtBO3glpMspo0ejC4E2ayJtbLClh4J BiyNcRJOki5aJhW6auln9g== 0001193125-05-201361.txt : 20051014 0001193125-05-201361.hdr.sgml : 20051014 20051014061526 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-201361 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051014 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20051014 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051014 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: 051137686 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) October 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 October 14, 2005, Knight-Ridder, Inc. issued a press release announcing the Company’s earnings for the quarter ended September 25, 2005. The Company also issued a press release on October 14, 2005 announcing the Company’s statistical report for the month ended September 25, 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 October 14, 2005
Exhibit 99.2   Knight-Ridder, Inc. September Statistical Report Press Release dated October 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: October 14, 2005


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


 

Name


99.1   Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release dated October 14, 2005
99.2   Knight-Ridder, Inc. September Statistical Report Press Release dated October 14, 2005
EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 14, 2005. Earnings Press Release dated October 14, 2005.

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

KNIGHT RIDDER

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

 

Knight Ridder Reports Third Quarter Results

 

SAN JOSE, Oct. 14, 2005 – Knight Ridder earned $3.56 per diluted share for the third quarter, up $2.57, or 259.6%, from $0.99 in the third quarter of 2004. Net income of $253.2 million was up 229.3%. Included in these results are $207.9 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, from gains on the sale of our interest in Detroit Newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and the Tallahassee Democrat and $0.02 per diluted share as a result of classifying these entities as discontinued operations.

 

On July 31, we sold the Detroit Free Press and our 50% interest in Detroit Newspapers for cash. On Aug. 29, we acquired The (Boise) Idaho Statesman, The (Olympia, Wash.) Olympian and The Bellingham (Wash.) Herald in exchange for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat and cash. Accordingly, results from Detroit for one month of the quarter and results from Tallahassee for two months are included as discontinued operations. Results from the acquired newspapers are included for September only.

 

Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.61, including severance costs of $0.08 per diluted share for work force reductions in Philadelphia and San Jose and $0.02 per diluted share from the favorable resolution of prior years’ tax issues. This compares to $0.93 from last year’s continuing operations, which included $0.11 from the favorable resolution of prior years’ tax issues. These results are slightly better than previous guidance.

 

Total advertising revenue for the quarter was $571.5 million, up $16.8 million, or 3.0%, from $554.8 million in the third quarter of last year. Without the acquired newspapers, total advertising revenue would have been $565.0 million, up 1.8% from the third quarter in the prior year.

 

Total operating revenue was $723.8 million, up $15.9 million, or 2.2%. Without the acquired newspapers, total operating revenue would have been $715.6 million, up 1.1% from the third quarter in the prior year.

 

Commenting on the results, Knight Ridder Chairman and CEO Tony Ridder said, “While the fundamentals of this quarter were disappointing, we took important steps to position our company for a strong future in both print and online publishing, and our accomplishments were significant. We acquired three newspapers with solid business records and prospects in markets that are growing, and we exited the joint operating arrangement we had with Gannett in Detroit.

 

“At the corporate level, we completed a $400 million debt offering, and we announced our intention to repurchase an additional 10 million shares of Knight Ridder stock over the course of the next six to nine months. We announced in September staff reductions in two of our largest newspaper operations. At the same time, we are expanding our online operations and targeted publications.

 

“When you strip away the complexities associated with our asset sales and acquisitions, the story of the quarter is relatively simple: Excluding the acquired newspapers, total operating revenue was up 1.1% and costs – in a stark aberration from our normal pattern – were up 7.0% (or 5.5% if you exclude severance costs of $8.6 million). That level of cost increase will not be repeated in the fourth quarter.


“The primary components of the cost increases, excluding the acquired newspapers, were benefit expense, newsprint and certain promotion and volume-related expenses associated with revenue growth.

 

“Labor and employee benefits, without severance, were up 4.9%, but within that, a combination of pension expense and health insurance accounted for two-thirds of the increase. While pension expense is an ongoing issue, health and welfare reflects the cycling of a one-time credit from last year. Wages and salaries were up just 2.2% with FTEs virtually flat. And I say that with the important proviso that we continue to add people where they can contribute to growth: in core newspaper sales, in online and in targeted publishing.

 

“Newsprint, ink and supplements, up 7.2%, includes a 10.8% increase in the cost per ton of newsprint, a 3.8% drop in consumption, and a 22.3% rise in supplements (primarily associated with our targeted publications effort). Other operating costs were up 6.5%. Nearly two-thirds of it was driven by promotion and other revenue-generating expenses. In Biloxi, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the quarter was negative by about $400,000, which is approximately the extent of our deductible.

 

“In the fourth quarter, excluding the acquired newspapers, we expect year-over-year cost increases to be up about 1% with depreciation playing a major role. We will begin depreciating a portion of our new plant in Kansas City in the fourth quarter. We expect other operating expenses to be below last year.

 

“Turning to revenue, retail and classified advertising were the softest we have seen all year – up 1.0% and up 3.2%, respectively. National advertising was up 0.7%. We were encouraged that September ad revenues were better than August, which was one of the softest months of the year.

 

“Trend lines in the major revenue categories were much as they have been all year. Declines in department stores, home electronics and grocery negatively impacted retail. In national, technology and entertainment were particularly soft. Classified for the quarter was strong in employment (driven by our online services) – and real estate, but once again, very soft in auto.

 

“Our digital operations continue to expand exponentially. For the quarter, excluding the acquired newspapers, online ad revenue was up 51.8%; for the year to date it is up 53.6%. Likewise, our weeklies, free dailies, shoppers and targeted print publications, in the aggregate, continue to show revenue increases in the double digits.

 

“Interest expense was up, reflecting both higher rates and increased borrowing. Losses from equity investments decreased, reflecting improvement in the returns from our investments in two newsprint mills, CareerBuilder and the Seattle Times Co.

 

“As a part of our share repurchase program, we said that half of the repurchase, or 5 million shares, would be accomplished through an accelerated share buyback (ASB). This approach has the effect of removing the shares from the company’s books on the day the transaction takes place at a cost per share that ultimately approximates the average stock price for the period during which repurchases take place. We expect that the bulk of these repurchases will be made by year end.

 

“During the quarter, we reduced the shares outstanding by approximately 6.5 million, including the ASB, bringing to 9.5 million the total reduction in shares outstanding this year. At quarter’s end, there were approximately 67.5 million shares outstanding. We will expect to make continued aggressive share repurchases during the fourth quarter.”


Comment on Operations

 

Steve Rossi, Knight Ridder senior vice president and chief financial officer, said, “For the quarter, total advertising revenue was up 3.0%. Retail was up 2.2%. National was up 0.9%. Classified was up 4.8%. Employment advertising was up 16.1%; real estate was up 9.8%; auto was down 10.0%. Excluding the acquired newspapers, employment was up 14.7%; real estate was up 8.6%; auto was down 10.8%.

 

“Year to date, total ad revenue is up 2.7%. Retail is up 2.4%. National is down 0.4%. Classified is up 4.5%. Employment is up 15.4%. Real estate is up 8.1%. Auto is down 7.6%. Year to date, excluding the acquired newspapers, total ad revenue is up 2.4%. Retail is up 2.0%. National is down 0.5%. Classified is up 3.9%. Employment is up 14.9%. Real estate is up 7.7%. Auto is down 7.9%.

 

“Total ad revenue was up 2.1% in July, 1.2% in August, and excluding the acquired newspapers, 2.2% in September.

 

“For the quarter, St. Paul showed the greatest ad revenue increase, up 8.1%. San Jose and Contra Costa followed, each with an increase of 6.6%. Miami was up 5.2% and Charlotte was up 3.0%. Philadelphia was down 4.8% and Kansas City was down 2.9%. Fort Worth was flat.

 

“Retail was strongest in San Jose and St. Paul, up 21.4% and 7.3%, respectively. It was up 5.3% in Charlotte, 3.9% in Contra Costa and 2.0% in Fort Worth. Philadelphia, Miami and Kansas City were down 5.5%, 4.6% and 4.2%, respectively. For the quarter, general merchandise, home furnishings, drug stores, home improvement and office supplies all showed increases.

 

“National advertising for the quarter was up 16.9% in Contra Costa, 10.3% in Charlotte, 8.9% in St. Paul, 5.8% in San Jose, 3.2% in Fort Worth and 2.4% in Miami. It was down 10.0% in Kansas City and 9.9% in Philadelphia. Overall, modest increases in financial, pharmaceuticals and preprints were offset by declines in technology, telecommunications, airlines, entertainment and auto.

 

“Classified performed much as it has all year. Employment and real estate were strong pretty much across the board; auto was uniformly disappointing. Employment in the large markets was up 11.9%; in the mid-sized and smaller markets, it was up 24.5%. Real estate was up 6.8% in the larger markets; it was up 10.4% in the mid-sized and smaller markets. Auto was down low double digits in both.

 

“Circulation revenue, excluding the acquired newspapers, was down 2.3% for the quarter (and down 3.0% for the year to date).

 

“Total debt at quarter’s end was $2.0 billion, up approximately $.5 billion from year end 2004. The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the quarter was 36.4%.”

 

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 one of the nation’s leading providers of news, information and advertising, in print and online. The company publishes 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.5 million daily and 11.0 million Sunday. It has Web sites in all of its markets and a variety of investments in Internet and technology companies. It publishes a growing portfolio of targeted publications and maintains investments in 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

    Three Quarters Ended

 
    

September 25,

2005


   

September 26,

2004


   

September 25,

2005


   

September 26,

2004


 

OPERATING REVENUE

                                

Advertising

                                

Retail

   $ 253,315     $ 247,855     $ 768,461     $ 750,325  

National

     87,493       86,678       275,707       276,830  

Classified

     230,733       220,256       681,316       652,244  
    


 


 


 


Total

     571,541       554,789       1,725,484       1,679,399  

Circulation

     130,300       131,699       392,980       403,405  

Other

     22,000       21,479       65,667       63,038  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Revenue

     723,841       707,967       2,184,131       2,145,842  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS

                                

Labor and employee benefits

     312,090       286,283       917,905       886,517  

Newsprint, ink and supplements

     101,875       94,257       302,167       285,995  

Other operating costs

     189,820       177,222       554,051       525,907  

Depreciation and amortization

     23,806       23,731       71,148       75,652  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     627,591       581,493       1,845,271       1,774,071  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING INCOME

     96,250       126,474       338,860       371,771  
    


 


 


 


OTHER EXPENSE

                                

Interest expense

     (25,621 )     (12,619 )     (67,399 )     (40,097 )

Interest income

     85       52       184       143  

Interest expense capitalized

     1,552       1,384       5,067       3,500  
    


 


 


 


Interest expense, net

     (23,984 )     (11,183 )     (62,148 )     (36,454 )

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

     (2,274 )     (5,936 )     (14,974 )     (21,010 )

Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (1,738 )     (2,198 )     (5,759 )     (6,682 )

Other, net

     378       (135 )     927       (902 )
    


 


 


 


Total Other Expense

     (27,618 )     (19,452 )     (81,954 )     (65,048 )
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     68,632       107,022       256,906       306,723  

Income taxes

     24,995       34,774       85,259       105,030  
    


 


 


 


Income from Continuing Operations

     43,637       72,248       171,647       201,693  

Gain on sale of discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net of income taxes

     207,850       —         207,850       —    

Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net of income taxes

     1,710       4,631       8,595       17,386  
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 253,197     $ 76,879     $ 388,092     $ 219,079  
    


 


 


 


Earnings Per Share

                                

Basic:

                                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.62     $ 0.94     $ 2.34     $ 2.58  

Net gain on sale of discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations

     2.94       —         2.83       —    

Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net

     0.02       0.06       0.12       0.22  
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 3.58     $ 1.00     $ 5.28     $ 2.80  

Diluted:

                                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.61     $ 0.93     $ 2.32     $ 2.54  

Net gain on sale of discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations

     2.92       —         2.81       —    

Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net

     0.02       0.06       0.12       0.22  
    


 


 


 


Net Income

   $ 3.56     $ 0.99     $ 5.25     $ 2.76  

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000s)

                                

Basic

     70,684       77,258       73,437       78,253  

Diluted

     71,080       77,936       73,963       79,354  


Knight Ridder Consolidated

Consolidated Income Statement

(In 000s, except Share Data)

 

    Quarter 1,
2004


    Quarter 2,
2004


    Quarter 3,
2004


    Quarter 4,
2004


    Year 2004

    Quarter 1,
2005


    Quarter 2,
2005


    Quarter 3,
2005


    Three
Quarters
ended
September 25,
2005


 

OPERATING REVENUE -

                                                                       

Advertising

                                                                       

Retail

  $ 238,468     $ 264,002     $ 247,855     $ 321,494     $ 1,071,819     $ 245,462     $ 269,684     $ 253,315     $ 768,461  

National

    93,333       96,819       86,678       113,982       390,812       95,059       93,155       87,493       275,707  

Classified

    208,900       223,088       220,256       204,208       856,452       217,558       233,025       230,733       681,316  

Total

    540,701       583,909       554,789       639,685       2,319,084       558,079       595,864       571,541       1,725,484  

Circulation

    137,236       134,470       131,699       132,664       536,069       132,270       130,410       130,300       392,980  

Other Revenue

    20,523       21,036       21,479       23,123       86,161       21,426       22,241       22,000       65,667  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Revenue

    698,460       739,415       707,967       795,472       2,941,314       711,775       748,515       723,841       2,184,131  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS -

                                                                       

Labor & Employee Benefits

    302,531       297,703       286,283       307,397       1,193,914       307,090       298,725       312,090       917,905  

Newsprint, Ink & Supplements

    93,884       97,854       94,257       105,903       391,898       96,393       103,899       101,875       302,167  

Other Operating Costs

    171,857       176,828       177,222       189,481       715,388       179,529       184,702       189,820       554,051  

Depreciation & Amortization

    26,083       25,838       23,731       24,127       99,779       23,660       23,682       23,806       71,148  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

    594,355       598,223       581,493       626,908       2,400,979       606,672       611,008       627,591       1,845,271  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


OPERATING PROFIT

    104,105       141,192       126,474       168,564       540,335       105,103       137,507       96,250       338,860  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

                                                                       

Interest Expense

    (14,196 )     (13,282 )     (12,619 )     (14,500 )     (54,597 )     (18,889 )     (22,889 )     (25,621 )     (67,399 )

Capitalized interest exp

    974       1,142       1,384       1,246       4,746       1,679       1,836       1,552       5,067  

Interest Income

    53       38       52       87       230       43       56       85       184  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Interest Expense, Net

    (13,169 )     (12,102 )     (11,183 )     (13,167 )     (49,621 )     (17,167 )     (20,997 )     (23,984 )     (62,148 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Losses from Equity Investment

    (8,067 )     (7,007 )     (5,936 )     (2,873 )     (23,883 )     (9,132 )     (3,568 )     (2,274 )     (14,974 )

Minority Interest Expense

    (1,912 )     (2,572 )     (2,198 )     (3,229 )     (9,911 )     (1,710 )     (2,311 )     (1,738 )     (5,759 )

Other, net

    (239 )     (528 )     (135 )     370       (533 )     632       (83 )     378       927  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Pretax Income

    80,718       118,983       107,022       149,665       456,388       77,726       110,548       68,632       256,906  

Income Taxes

    29,051       41,205       34,774       52,687       157,717       20,648       39,616       24,995       85,259  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net Income from Cont Ops

    51,667       77,778       72,248       96,978       298,671       57,078       70,932       43,637       171,647  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Discontinued operations

    4,270       8,485       4,631       10,186       27,572       3,421       3,464       209,560       216,445  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net Income after disc ops

  $ 55,937     $ 86,263     $ 76,879     $ 107,164     $ 326,243     $ 60,499     $ 74,396     $ 253,197     $ 388,092  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Diluted:

                                                                       

Shares (in 000’s)

    80,338       79,789       77,936       77,737       78,950       76,279       74,530       71,080       73,963  

EPS

                                                                       

GAAP - as reported

  $ 0.70     $ 1.08     $ 0.99     $ 1.38     $ 4.13     $ 0.79     $ 1.00     $ 3.56     $ 5.25  

Discontinued operations

    0.05       0.11       0.06       0.13       0.35       0.05       0.05       0.02       0.12  

Gain on sale of Detroit

                                                            1.60       1.54  

Gain on sale of Tallahassee

                                                            1.32       1.27  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


EPS from continuing operations

    0.64       0.97       0.93       1.25       3.78       0.75       0.95       0.61       2.32  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


One-time items

                                                                       

Settlement of prior years’ tax issues

    0.00       0.06       0.11       0.09       0.26       0.10       0.03       0.02       0.16  

Severance

                                                            (0.08 )     (0.09 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Adjusted EPS

  $ 0.64     $ 0.91     $ 0.81     $ 1.16     $ 3.52     $ 0.65     $ 0.92     $ 0.67     $ 2.25  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm SEPTEMBER STATISTICAL PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 14, 2005. September Statistical Press Release dated October 14, 2005.

Exhibit 99.2

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

KNIGHT RIDDER

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

 

Knight Ridder Reports September Revenue and Linage

 

SAN JOSE, Oct. 14, 2005 – Three newspapers acquired at the end of August are included in the September 2005 numbers, but not in the 2004 numbers.

 

For the month, total advertising revenue was up 5.8%. Retail was up 5.6%, national was up 1.2% and classified was up 7.8%. Help wanted was up 19.5%, real estate was up 13.9% and auto was down 10.1%.

 

Total operating revenue was up 5.1% for the month and up 1.8% for the year.

 

Total ad revenue for the month was up 11.8% in Miami, 8.1% in St. Paul, 7.2% in San Jose, 5.2% in Contra Costa, 1.5% in Fort Worth and 0.4% in Charlotte. Philadelphia and Kansas City were soft.

 

Retail was up 21.4% in San Jose, 11.1% in St. Paul, 7.7% in Miami, 6.5% in Charlotte, 2.3% in Fort Worth and 1.6% in Contra Costa. Philadelphia and Kansas City were soft.

 

National was up 25.7% in Contra Costa, 9.2% in San Jose, 7.3% in St. Paul and 6.1% in Fort Worth. Philadelphia, Kansas City, Miami and Charlotte were soft.

 

Classified was up 27.1% in Miami, 6.4% in Columbia, 5.2% in St. Paul, 4.6% in Contra Costa and 3.6% in Philadelphia. Kansas City was virtually flat, and San Jose and Charlotte were soft.

 

Other revenue was up 9.6%, due primarily to augmentation revenue and commercial print revenue. Circulation revenue was up 1.2% for the month.

 

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 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.5 million daily and 11.0 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 9/1/05 - 9/25/05

 

     September

  

Percent
Change


    Year-to-Date

  

Percent
Change


 
     2005

   2004

     2005

   2004

  

REVENUE ($000) - See Notes 1 & 2

                                

Advertising

                                

Retail

   87,078    82,424    5.6 %   768,461    750,325    2.4 %

National

   30,121    29,762    1.2 %   275,707    276,830    -0.4 %

Classified

   74,972    69,522    7.8 %   681,316    652,244    4.5 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total

   192,171    181,708    5.8 %   1,725,484    1,679,399    2.7 %

Circulation

   41,790    41,279    1.2 %   392,980    403,405    -2.6 %

Other Revenue

   7,599    6,935    9.6 %   65,667    63,038    4.2 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total Operating Revenue

   241,560    229,922    5.1 %   2,184,131    2,145,842    1.8 %
    
  
        
  
      

AVERAGE CIRCULATION

                                

(000’s of copies including Detroit) - Note 1

                                

Morning

   3,208    3,302    -2.8 %   3,205    3,289    -2.5 %

Evening

   156    166    -6.0 %   155    172    -10.2 %

Daily

   3,365    3,469    -3.0 %   3,360    3,461    -2.9 %

Sunday

   4,396    4,518    -2.7 %   4,360    4,461    -2.3 %

ADVERTISING LINAGE

                                

(000’s of six-column inches) - Note 2

                                

Full-Run ROP

                                

Retail

   1,163.0    1,053.9    10.4 %   9,687.1    9,841.1    -1.6 %

National

   247.5    257.2    -3.8 %   2,307.3    2,345.0    -1.6 %

Classified

   1,439.6    1,445.3    -0.4 %   13,346.6    13,714.5    -2.7 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total

   2,850.1    2,756.4    3.4 %   25,341.0    25,900.6    -2.2 %
    
  
        
  
      

Factored Part-Run ROP

   191.9    174.3    10.1 %   1,859.5    1,790.1    3.9 %
    
  
        
  
      

TOTAL PREPRINTS INSERTED

   615,146    601,140    2.3 %   5,628,754    5,577,865    0.9 %
    
  
        
  
      


Statistical Report

For the period of 9/1/05 - 9/25/05

 

     September

  

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) - Note 2

                                

Akron Beacon Journal

   109.4    123.8    -11.6 %   1,083.7    1,152.7    -6.0 %

Charlotte Observer

   126.6    129.6    -2.3 %   1,178.6    1,189.9    -0.9 %

Columbia State

   96.5    92.5    4.3 %   840.8    881.5    -4.6 %

Contra Costa

   116.9    120.6    -3.1 %   1,062.2    1,035.6    2.6 %

Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Journal Gazette

   96.4    109.3    -11.8 %   1,042.0    1,020.1    2.1 %

Fort Worth Star Telegram

   159.7    167.2    -4.5 %   1,548.2    1,663.9    -7.0 %

Kansas City Star

   148.7    159.8    -6.9 %   1,487.2    1,496.2    -0.7 %

Lexington Herald-Leader

   89.7    95.7    -6.3 %   870.8    865.4    0.6 %

Miami Herald & el Nuevo Herald

   165.2    151.8    8.8 %   1,535.6    1,471.8    4.3 %

Philadelphia Newspapers

   165.1    187.5    -11.9 %   1,547.1    1,709.7    -9.5 %

St. Paul Pioneer Press

   100.6    101.8    -1.2 %   892.1    919.8    -3.0 %

San Jose Mercury News

   172.5    190.8    -9.6 %   1,594.8    1,793.7    -11.1 %

Wichita Eagle

   78.1    72.1    8.3 %   739.6    674.6    9.6 %

All Other Dailies

   1,224.7    1,053.9    16.2 %   9,918.3    10,025.7    -1.1 %
    
  
        
  
      

Total - Full-Run ROP

   2,850.1    2,756.4    3.4 %   25,341.0    25,900.6    -2.2 %
    
  
        
  
      

 

Note 1 - Average circulation copies are included in all periods for the recently acquired newspapers (The (Boise) Idaho Statesman, The Olympian and The Bellingham Herald). Circulation copies at the Biloxi Herald have been eliminated from September 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.

 

# # # # # # # # # # #

 

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

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