10-Q 1 a05-18515_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

FORM 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For quarterly period ended September 25, 2005

 

Commission file number 1-5837

 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

NEW YORK

 

13-1102020

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

229 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

10036

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-556-1234

 

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.  Yes   ý    No   o.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes   ý  No   o.

 

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

 

Number of shares of each class of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of October 28, 2005 (exclusive of treasury shares):

 

Class A Common Stock

 

144,248,866 shares 

 

Class B Common Stock

 

840,292 shares 

 

 

 



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollares and shares in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

 

 

(13 Weeks)

 

(39 Weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

518,224

 

$

498,205

 

$

1,624,366

 

$

1,578,743

 

Circulation

 

217,872

 

220,539

 

655,971

 

660,938

 

Other

 

54,987

 

55,086

 

161,398

 

160,024

 

Total

 

791,083

 

773,830

 

2,441,735

 

2,399,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

75,718

 

73,328

 

228,900

 

215,435

 

Wages and benefits

 

174,145

 

165,127

 

523,058

 

510,749

 

Other

 

132,969

 

126,114

 

386,681

 

371,323

 

Total

 

382,832

 

364,569

 

1,138,639

 

1,097,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

363,172

 

324,970

 

1,066,349

 

976,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

746,004

 

689,539

 

2,204,988

 

2,074,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

 

122,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

45,079

 

84,291

 

359,693

 

325,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from joint ventures

 

5,000

 

1,691

 

7,890

 

1,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

11,677

 

10,080

 

37,769

 

30,753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

1,250

 

4,073

 

3,750

 

6,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

39,652

 

79,975

 

333,564

 

302,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

16,738

 

31,620

 

138,506

 

119,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in net loss/(income) of subsidiaries

 

167

 

(83

)

(113

)

(381

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

145,214

 

146,469

 

145,535

 

148,340

 

Diluted

 

145,602

 

147,964

 

146,077

 

150,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

.16

 

$

.33

 

$

1.34

 

$

1.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

.16

 

$

.33

 

$

1.33

 

$

1.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

$

.165

 

$

.155

 

$

.485

 

$

.455

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

2



 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

September 25,
2005

 

December 26,
2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

37,188

 

$

42,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable-net

 

372,449

 

389,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

Newsprint and magazine paper

 

33,602

 

29,848

 

Work-in-process and other

 

3,811

 

2,806

 

Total inventories

 

37,413

 

32,654

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

56,639

 

56,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

68,529

 

92,911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

572,218

 

613,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in joint ventures

 

240,700

 

218,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,341,707 in 2005 and $1,379,733 in 2004)

 

1,406,447

 

1,367,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets acquired

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

1,440,403

 

1,103,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other intangible assets acquired (less accumulated amortization of $161,473 in 2005 and $143,683 in 2004)

 

403,871

 

360,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous assets

 

315,173

 

285,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

4,378,812

 

$

3,949,857

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

September 25,
2005

 

December 26,
2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial paper outstanding

 

$

431,025

 

$

335,350

 

Accounts payable

 

212,578

 

190,134

 

Accrued payroll and other related liabilities

 

101,086

 

117,121

 

Accrued expenses

 

143,808

 

147,548

 

Unexpired subscriptions

 

78,665

 

77,573

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

1,607

 

252,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

968,769

 

1,119,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

821,773

 

393,601

 

Capital lease obligations

 

76,678

 

77,873

 

Deferred income taxes

 

111,689

 

132,108

 

Other

 

728,461

 

691,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other liabilities

 

1,738,601

 

1,294,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest

 

171,395

 

134,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock of $.10 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

Class A — authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2005 — 150,468,568; 2004 — 150,084,658 (including treasury shares: 2005—6,170,029; 2004 — 4,819,661)

 

15,047

 

15,009

 

Class B — convertible — authorized and issued shares; 2005 — 840,292; 2004 — 840,316

 

84

 

84

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

28,807

 

 

Retained earnings

 

1,784,918

 

1,684,854

 

Common stock held in treasury, at cost

 

(251,107

)

(204,407

)

Deferred compensation

 

 

(24,309

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

 

(77,702

)

(70,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,500,047

 

1,400,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

4,378,812

 

$

3,949,857

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4



 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

 

 

(39 Weeks)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

226,991

 

$

368,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(145,803

)

(123,586

)

Acquisitions

 

(413,953

)

 

Investments

 

(19,057

)

 

Net proceeds from sale of assets

 

183,173

 

 

Other investing payments

 

(765

)

(3,695

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(396,405

)

(127,281

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial paper borrowings-net

 

95,675

 

34,670

 

Long-term obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

Increases

 

497,543

 

 

Reductions

 

(323,079

)

(1,443

)

Capital shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuances

 

7,425

 

32,996

 

Repurchases

 

(46,682

)

(238,292

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

3,395

 

 

Dividends paid to stockholders

 

(70,572

)

(67,496

)

Other financing proceeds/(payments)-net

 

1,245

 

(10,065

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

 

164,950

 

(249,630

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,464

)

(8,551

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(737

)

(52

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

 

42,389

 

39,447

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter

 

$

37,188

 

$

30,844

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

 

Acquisitions

On March 18, 2005, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of About, Inc., a leading online consumer information provider.  The purchase price was approximately $410 million and was funded through a combination of short-term and long-term debt (see Note 2).

 

On February 1, 2005, the Company acquired the North Bay Business Journal, a weekly publication targeting business leaders in California’s Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, for approximately $3 million (see Note 2).

 

Investment

On March 10, 2005, the Company invested $16.5 million to acquire a 49% interest in Metro Boston LLC, which publishes a free daily newspaper catering to young professionals in the Greater Boston area (see Note 2).

 

Other

The Company’s and its development partner’s interests in the Company’s new headquarters are approximately 58% and 42% (see Note 13).  Due to the Company’s majority interest, 100% of the financial position and results of operations of the building partnership are consolidated with those of the Company.  Capital expenditures attributable to the Company’s development partner’s interest in the Company’s new headquarters were approximately $32 million for the first nine months of 2005 and approximately $25 million for the first nine months of 2004.

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

5



 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.             General

In the opinion of The New York Times Company’s (the “Company”) management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 25, 2005, and December 26, 2004, and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended September 25, 2005, and September 26, 2004.  All adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods to conform with classifications used as of and for the periods ended September 25, 2005.  The fiscal periods included herein comprise 13 weeks for the three-month periods and 39 weeks for the nine-month periods.

 

As of September 25, 2005, the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates, which are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004, have not changed from December 26, 2004, except for the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123-R”).  See Note 3 for additional information regarding the Company’s adoption of FAS 123-R.

 

2.             Acquisitions/Investment

 

On March 18, 2005, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of About, Inc., a leading online consumer information provider. The purchase price was approximately $410 million and was funded through a combination of short-term and long-term debt.  The results of About.com have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning March 19, 2005.   The acquisition provides the Company with strategic benefits, including diversifying the Company’s advertising base and extending its reach among Internet users.  About.com is a separate reportable segment of the Company (see Note 12).

 

On February 1, 2005, the Company acquired the North Bay Business Journal (“North Bay”), a weekly publication targeting business leaders in California’s Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, for approximately $3 million.  The results of North Bay have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the acquisition date.  North Bay is included in the results of the News Media Group under the Regional Media Group.

 

Based on third-party valuations of About.com and North Bay, the Company has allocated the excess of the purchase prices over the carrying value of the net assets acquired as follows: About.com- $343.7 million to goodwill and $62.2 million to other intangible assets (primarily content, customer lists and a contract); North

 

6



 

Bay- $2.1 million to goodwill and $0.9 million to other intangible assets (primarily customer lists).  See Note 4 for additional information related to goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

On March 10, 2005, the Company invested $16.5 million to acquire a 49% interest in Metro Boston LLC (“Metro Boston”), which publishes a free daily newspaper catering to young professionals in the Greater Boston area.  The investment in Metro Boston is being accounted for under the equity method, and therefore the investment and results of operations are included in “Investments in joint ventures” and “Net income from joint ventures” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Income.

 

If any of the acquisitions or investment discussed above had occurred in the beginning of 2004, they would not have had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods ended September 25, 2005, or September 26, 2004.

 

3.             Stock-Based Compensation

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS 123-R.  FAS 123-R is a revision of FAS No. 123, as amended, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“FAS 123”), and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”).  FAS 123-R eliminates the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in FAS 123, which generally resulted in no compensation expense recorded in the financial statements related to the issuance of stock options or shares issued under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).  FAS 123-R requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements.  FAS 123-R establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees.

 

On December 27, 2004 (the first day of its 2005 fiscal year), the Company adopted FAS 123-R.  While FAS 123-R is not effective until the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, the Company elected to adopt it before the required effective date.  The Company adopted FAS 123-R using a modified prospective application, as permitted under FAS 123-R.  Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.  Under this application, the Company is required to record compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption.

 

Before the adoption of FAS 123-R, the Company applied APB 25 to account for its stock-based awards.  Under APB 25, the Company generally only recorded stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards (“LTIP awards”), which amounted to $0.5 million and $3.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004.  Under APB 25, the Company was not required to recognize compensation expense for the cost of stock options or shares issued under the Company’s ESPPIn accordance with the adoption of FAS 123-R, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for the cost of stock options, restricted stock, shares issued under the ESPP and LTIP awards (together, “Employee Stock-Based Awards”).

 

7



 

Stock-based compensation expense in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2005 was $2.4 million ($1.9 million after tax or $.01 per basic and diluted share) and $15.6 million ($11.2 million after tax or $.08 per basic and diluted share).

 

FAS 123-R requires that stock-based compensation expense be recognized over the period from the date of grant to the date when the award is no longer contingent on the employee providing additional service (the “substantive vesting period”).  The Company’s 1991 Executive Stock Incentive Plan (“1991 Executive Stock Plan”) and 2004 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Directors’ Plan”) provide that awards generally vest upon the retirement of an employee/Director.  In periods before the Company’s adoption of FAS 123-R (pro forma disclosure only), the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for awards to retirement-eligible employees over the awards’ stated vesting period (the “nominal vesting period”).  With the adoption of FAS 123-R, the Company will continue to follow the nominal vesting period approach for the unvested portion of awards granted before the adoption of FAS 123-R and follow the substantive vesting period approach for awards granted after the adoption of FAS 123-R.

 

The following table details the effect on net income and earnings per share had stock-based compensation expense for the Employee Stock-Based Awards been recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 based on the fair-value method under FAS 123.  The reported and pro forma net income and earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 in the table below are the same since stock-based compensation expense is calculated under the provisions of FAS 123-R.  These amounts for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 are included in the table below only to provide the detail for a comparative presentation to the third quarter and first nine months of 2004.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Reported net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

Add:       Total stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

 

1,888

 

285

 

11,196

 

1,958

 

Deduct:  Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair- value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(1,888

)

(4,893

)

(11,196

)

(59,757

)

Pro forma net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

43,664

 

$

194,945

 

$

124,585

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic — reported

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.33

 

$

1.34

 

$

1.23

 

Basic — pro forma

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.30

 

$

1.34

 

$

0.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted — reported

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.33

 

$

1.33

 

$

1.21

 

Diluted — pro forma

 

$

0.16

 

$

0 30

 

$

1.33

 

$

0.83

 

 

In June 2004 the Company accelerated the vesting of certain employee stock options where the exercise price of the stock options was above the Company’s stock price. The acceleration of vesting resulted in additional stock-based compensation expense of approximately $27 million (net of income taxes) that would have otherwise been reflected in the table above in periods after September 26, 2004.  The decrease in stock-based compensation expense for the first nine months of 2005 compared with the first nine months of 2004 in the table above are primarily due to expense included in 2004 for the accelerated vesting of stock options.

 

8



 

In the third quarter of 2005, the incremental stock-based compensation expense due to the adoption of FAS 123-R caused income before income taxes and minority interest to decrease by $4.2 million, net income to decrease by $3.0 million and basic and diluted earnings per share to decrease by $.02 per share.  In the first nine months of 2005, the incremental stock-based compensation expense due to the adoption of FAS 123-R caused income before income taxes and minority interest to decrease by $13.2 million, net income to decrease by $9.8 million and basic and diluted earnings per share to decrease by $.07 per share.  In addition, in connection with the adoption of FAS 123-R, net cash provided by operating activities decreased and net cash provided by financing activities increased in the first nine months of 2005 by $3.4 million related to excess tax benefits from stock-based awards.

 

Stock Options

 

The 1991 Executive Stock Plan provides for grants of both incentive and non-qualified stock options principally at an option price per share of 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) on the date of grant.  Stock options are generally granted with a 3-year vesting period and a 6-year term, or a 4-year vesting period and a 10-year term.  The stock options vest in equal annual installments over the nominal vesting period or the substantive vesting period, whichever is applicable.

 

The 2004 Directors’ Plan provides for grants of stock options to Directors at an option price per share of 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.  Stock options are granted with a 1-year vesting period and a 10-year term.  The stock options vest over the nominal vesting period or the substantive vesting period, whichever is applicable.  The Company’s Directors are considered employees under the provisions of FAS 123-R.

 

Included in the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in 2005 is a portion of the cost related to 2004 and 2001 stock option grants and a portion of the cost related to the stock option grants made in April 2005 under the 2004 Directors’ Plan.  The stock options granted before 2001 and those granted in 2002 and 2003 (accelerated vesting in June 2004) were fully vested as of the beginning of 2005.

 

The fair value of the stock options 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 risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.  The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of the stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees.  Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life, ending on the day of grant, and calculated on a monthly basis.

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

10-Year Term
Stock Options

 

6-Year Term
Stock Options

 

10-Year Term
Stock Options

 

Risk-free rate

 

3.96

%

3.33

%

3.62

%

Expected life (in years)

 

5.00

 

3.75

 

5.00

 

Expected volatility

 

19.66

%

19.09

%

19.65

%

Expected dividend yield

 

2.11

%

1.50

%

1.50

%

 

Changes in the Company’s stock options for the first nine months of 2005 were as follows:

 

9



 

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Options outstanding, beginning of year

 

 

 

30,799

 

$41

 

Granted

 

 

 

44

 

33

 

Exercised

 

 

 

(383

)

19

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

(266

)

44

 

Options outstanding, end of period

 

 

 

30,194

 

$41

 

Options exercisable, end of period

 

 

 

27,312

 

$41

 

 

The weighted average remaining contractual term was 6 years for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 25, 2005.  The total intrinsic value was approximately $16 million for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 25, 2005.  The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during the first nine months of 2005 was approximately $6 million.  The weighted-average fair value for the stock options granted in 2005 was $6.28 for the 10-year term stock options and in 2004 was $6.64 for 6-year term stock options and $8.09 for 10-year term stock options.

 

The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was approximately $7 million and the related tax benefit was approximately $3 million for the first nine months of 2005.

Restricted Stock

The 1991 Executive Stock Plan also provides for grants of restricted stock.  The Company generally grants restricted stock with a 3-year vesting period or a 5-year vesting period.  Restricted stock vests at the end of the nominal vesting period or the substantive vesting period, whichever is applicable.  The fair value of restricted stock is the excess of the average market price of Common Stock at the date of grant over the exercise price, which is zero.

 

Included in the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in 2005 is a portion of the cost related to restricted stock granted in 2004, 2003 and 2002.  The Company did not grant restricted stock in the first nine months of 2005.

 

Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the first nine months of 2005 were as follows:

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

Restricted Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value

 

Unvested restricted stock at beginning of year

 

741

 

$41

 

Granted

 

¾

 

¾

 

Vested

 

(12

)

40

 

Forfeited

 

(11

)

40

 

Unvested restricted stock at end of period

 

718

 

$41

 

 

Under the provisions of FAS 123-R, the recognition of deferred compensation, a contra-equity account representing the amount of unrecognized restricted stock expense that is reduced as expense is recognized, at the date restricted stock is granted is no longer required. Therefore, in the first quarter of 2005, the amount that had been in “Deferred compensation” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was reversed to zero.

 

10



 

ESPP

The Company has historically offered eligible employees the option to purchase Common Stock at a 15% discount from the average market price on an applicable pricing date before the applicable offering period begins.  In 2005, there are two 6-month ESPP offerings during the year, and the purchase price for each offering is determined at the beginning of each 6-month offering period.  Participating employees purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions.  Employees may withdraw from an offering before the purchase date and obtain a refund of the amounts withheld through payroll deductions plus accrued interest. The January offering began January 1, 2005, and ended June 25, 2005, while the June offering period began June 26, 2005, and is scheduled to end on December 24, 2005.  The purchase price per share was $35.08 for the January offering and $26.40 for the June offering, which is 85% of the average market price of Common Stock on the applicable pricing dates. There were no shares issued under the January offering because the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) amended the offering to provide that if the market price of the stock was lower than the offering price on the purchase date, participants’ contributions (plus accrued interest) would be automatically refunded.  The June ESPP offering was similarly amended.

 

Included in the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in the first nine months of 2005 is the cost related to the January ESPP offering and a portion of the cost related to the June offering.

 

The fair value of the January and June ESPP offerings was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.  The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.  Expected volatility was based on the implied volatility on the day of grant.

 

 

 

 

 

January
Offering

 

June
Offering

 

Risk-free rate

 

2.36

%

3.25

%

Expected life (in months)

 

6

 

6

 

Expected volatility

 

21.39

%

21.46

%

Expected dividend yield

 

1.51

%

2.12

%

 

The weighted-average fair value for the Company’s ESPP options was $6.65 for the January offering and $5.04 for the June offering.

 

LTIP Awards

The Company’s 1991 Executive Stock Plan and 1991 Executive Cash Bonus Plan provide for grants of cash awards to key executives payable at the end of the respective vesting period.  Beginning in 2005, LTIP awards are generally granted with a 5-year vesting period.  The target award is determined at the beginning of the period and can increase (to a maximum 175% of the target) or decrease (to zero) based on a key performance measure, Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”).  TSR is calculated as stock appreciation plus reinvested dividends.  At the end of the period, the LTIP payment is determined by comparing the Company’s TSR to the TSR of a predetermined peer group of companies.  All payments are subject to approval by the Board’s Compensation Committee.  The LTIP awards are classified as liability awards under the provisions of FAS 123-R because the Company incurs a liability, payable in cash, indexed to the Company’s stock price.  The LTIP award liability is measured at its fair value at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the performance of the Company’s TSR relative to the peer group’s TSR.

 

11



 

Based on the valuation of its LTIP awards, the Company recorded a favorable adjustment in the third quarter of approximately $4 million.  The fair value of the LTIP awards was calculated by comparing the Company’s TSR against a predetermined peer group’s TSR over the performance period.  The LTIP awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. This valuation technique includes estimating the movement of stock prices and the effects of volatility, interest rates, and dividends.  These assumptions are based on historical data points and are taken from market data sources.  The payout of the LTIP awards are based on relative performance, therefore, correlations in stock price performance among the peer group companies also factor into the valuation.  There were no LTIP awards paid in 2005 in connection with the performance period ending in 2004.

 


 

As of September 25, 2005, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s Employee Stock-Based Awards was approximately $30 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3 years.

 

The Company generally issues shares for the exercise of stock options from unissued reserved shares and issues shares for restricted stock and shares under the ESPP from treasury shares.  The Company generally repurchases enough Common Stock to offset shares issued for the Company’s Employee Stock-Based Awards.

 

 4.            Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair market value of tangible net assets acquired.  Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment annually or, if certain circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist, in accordance with FAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

 

Other intangible assets acquired consist primarily of mastheads and licenses on various acquired properties, customer lists, as well as other assets.  Other intangible assets acquired that have indefinite lives (mastheads and licenses) are not amortized but tested for impairment annually or if certain circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist.  Certain other intangible assets acquired (customer lists and other assets) are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Topic No. D-108, Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other Than Goodwill (“EITF D-108”), which requires the use of the direct valuation method i) for valuing intangible assets acquired in a business combination after September 29, 2004, and ii) to test for impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets.  EITF D-108 also required companies that applied the residual valuation method in previous impairment tests to perform an impairment test using the direct valuation method no later than the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2004.  The Company had applied the residual valuation method in previous impairment tests; therefore, in the first quarter of 2005, the Company tested its indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment applying the direct valuation method.  The impairment test did not result in an impairment of the intangible assets with indefinite lives.

 

12



 

The changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill in 2005 are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

News
Media
Group

 

Broadcast
Media
Group

 

About.
com

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 26, 2004

 

$

1,063,883

 

$

39,979

 

$

 

$

1,103,862

 

Goodwill acquired during year

 

2,111

 

¾

 

343,687

 

345,798

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(9,257

)

¾

 

¾

 

(9,257

)

Balance as of September 25, 2005

 

$

1,056,737

 

$

39,979

 

$

343,687

 

$

1,440,403

 

 

Goodwill acquired in 2005 resulted from the acquisition of About.com and North Bay (see Note 2).

 

The foreign currency translation line item above reflects changes in Goodwill resulting from fluctuating exchange rates related to the consolidation of the International Herald Tribune.

 

Other intangible assets acquired as of September 25, 2005, and December 26, 2004, were as follows:

 

 

 

September 25, 2005

 

December 26, 2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Gross Carrying Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Gross Carrying Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Amortized other intangible assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer lists

 

$

218,326

 

$

(151,008

)

$

67,318

 

$

203,300

 

$

(137,384

)

$

65,916

 

Other

 

55,015

 

(10,465

)

44,550

 

7,310

 

(6,299

)

1,011

 

Total

 

273,341

 

(161,473

)

111,868

 

210,610

 

(143,683

)

66,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unamortized other intangible assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast licenses

 

220,194

 

 

220,194

 

220,194

 

 

220,194

 

Newspaper mastheads

 

71,809

 

 

71,809

 

73,606

 

 

73,606

 

Total

 

292,003

 

 

292,003

 

293,800

 

 

293,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets acquired

 

$

565,344

 

$

(161,473

)

$

403,871

 

$

504,410

 

$

(143,683

)

$

360,727

 

 

The table above includes other intangible assets related to the acquisitions of About.com and North Bay (see Note 2).

 

As of September 25, 2005, the remaining weighted-average amortization period is seven years for customer lists and other intangible assets acquired included in the table above.

 

 Amortization expense related to other intangible assets acquired that are subject to amortization was $18.0 million for the first nine months of 2005, and is expected to be approximately $25 million for the full year 2005.  Estimated annual amortization expense for the next five years related to these intangible assets is expected to be as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Year

 

Amount

 

2006

 

$

24,100

 

2007

 

14,900

 

2008

 

12,100

 

2009

 

10,800

 

2010

 

10,700

 

 

13



 

5.             Debt Obligations

The Company’s total debt, including commercial paper and capital lease obligations, was $1.3 billion as of September 25, 2005.

 

The Company’s $600.0 million commercial paper program is supported by the revolving credit agreements described below.  Commercial paper issued by the Company is unsecured and can have maturities of up to 270 days.  The Company had $431.0 million in commercial paper outstanding as of September 25, 2005, with an annual weighted average interest rate of 3.7% and an average of 61 days to maturity from original issuance.

 

The primary purpose of the Company’s revolving credit agreements is to support the Company’s commercial paper program.  In addition, these revolving credit agreements provide a facility for the issuance of letters of credit.  Of the total $670.0 million available under the two revolving credit agreements ($400 million five-year revolving credit agreement maturing in May 2009, and $270 million multi-year credit agreement maturing in June 2006), the Company has issued letters of credit of approximately $32 million.  The remaining balance of approximately $638 million supports the Company’s commercial paper program discussed above.  There were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreements as of September 25, 2005, or December 26, 2004.

 

Any borrowings under the revolving credit agreements bear interest at specified margins based on the Company’s credit rating, over various floating rates selected by the Company.

 

The revolving credit agreements contain a covenant that requires specified levels of stockholders’ equity.  As of September 25, 2005, the amount of stockholders’ equity in excess of the required levels was approximately $476 million.

 

The Company’s 10-year notes, aggregating $250.0 million and bearing interest at an annual rate of 7.625%, matured on March 15, 2005.  The Company’s repayment of these notes resulted in a decrease in “Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 25, 2005.

 

On March 15, 2005, the Company also redeemed all of its $71.9 million outstanding 8.25% debentures, callable on March 15, 2005, and maturing on March 15, 2025, at a redemption price of 103.76% of the principal amount.  The redemption premium and unamortized issuance costs resulted in a loss from the extinguishment of debt of $4.8 million and is included in “Interest expense, net” (see below) in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

On March 17, 2005, the Company issued 5-year notes aggregating $250.0 million maturing March 15, 2010, at an annual rate of 4.5%, and 10-year notes aggregating $250.0 million maturing March 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 5.0%.  Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 on both series of notes.

 

The issuance of the $500.0 million in notes, net of the repayment of the $71.9 million of debentures, resulted in an increase to “Long-term debt” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 25, 2005.

 

14



 

“Interest expense, net” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Interest expense

 

$

15,739

 

$

12,757

 

$

43,747

 

$

37,195

 

Loss from extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

4,767

 

 

Interest income

 

(965

)

(452

)

(2,705

)

(1,049

)

Capitalized interest

 

(3,097

)

(2,225

)

(8,040

)

(5,393

)

Interest expense, net

 

$

11,677

 

$

10,080

 

$

37,769

 

$

30,753

 

 

 

6.             Derivative Instruments

 

In the first and second quarters of 2005, the Company entered into foreign exchange collar contracts (“FX collar contracts”), designated as cash-flow hedges as defined under FAS No. 133, as amended, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 133”).  The cash-flow FX collar contracts, which have notional amounts outstanding as of September 25, 2005, of $3.3 million, were entered into to manage the Company’s transactional foreign exchange exposure (changes in the U.S. dollar compared with the Euro).  As of September 25, 2005, the fair value of the cash-flow FX collar contracts was $0.2 million, resulting in a loss that was recorded in “Accrued expenses” and “Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  There was an immaterial loss recognized in earnings related to the cash-flow FX collar contracts settled in the third quarter of 2005.

 

In the second quarter of 2005, the Company entered into FX collar contracts, designated as fair-value hedges as defined under FAS 133.  The fair-value FX collar contracts, which have notional amounts outstanding as of September 25, 2005 of $1.2 million, were entered into to manage the Company’s foreign translational gains or losses.  The fair-value FX collar contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting; therefore, gains and losses are included in earnings.  For the period ended September 25, 2005, the Company recognized an immaterial loss resulting from the fair-value FX collar contracts outstanding as well as certain contracts that settled in the third quarter of 2005.

 

In the second quarter of 2005, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap agreement (“forward starting swap agreement”) designated as a cash-flow hedge as defined under FAS 133.  The forward starting swap agreement, which has a notional amount totaling $50.0 million, is intended to lock in a fixed interest rate on the issuance of debt in December 2005.  As of September 25, 2005, the fair value of the swap agreement was $1.2 million, resulting in a gain that was recorded in “Miscellaneous Assets” and “Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  There was no amount recognized in earnings related to the forward starting swap agreement.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company terminated its forward starting swap agreements entered into in 2004 that were designated as cash-flow hedges as defined under FAS 133. The forward starting swap agreements, which had notional amounts totaling $90.0 million, were intended to lock in fixed interest rates on the issuance of debt in March 2005.  The Company terminated the forward starting swap agreements in connection with the issuance of its 10-year $250.0 million notes maturing on March 15, 2015 (see Note 5).  The termination of the forward starting swap

 

15



 

agreements resulted in a gain of approximately $2 million, which will be amortized into income through March 2015 as a reduction of interest expense related to the Company’s 10-year notes.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company’s interest rate swap agreements (“swap agreements”), designated as fair-value hedges as defined under FAS 133, expired in connection with the Company’s repayment of its 10-year $250.0 million notes that matured on March 15, 2005 (see Note 5).  These swap agreements, which had notional amounts totaling $100.0 million, were entered into to exchange the fixed interest rate on a portion of the Company’s 10-year notes for a variable interest rate.  On the maturity date of the 10-year notes, the fair value of the swap agreements decreased to zero.

 

7.             Common Stock

 

During the first nine months of 2005, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its Class A Common Stock at a cost of $46.5 million.  The average price of these repurchases was $34.59 per share.

 

On April 26, 2005, the Board declared a $.01 per share increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock from $.155 per share to $.165 per share, effective with the June 2005 dividend.

 

8.                                    Pension and Postretirement Benefits

 

Pension

The components of net periodic pension cost of all Company-sponsored pension plans were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 25, 2005

 

September 26, 2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Qualified Plans

 

Non-Qualified Plans

 

All Plans

 

Qualified Plans

 

Non-Qualified Plans

 

All Plans

 

Service cost

 

$

9,362

 

$

569

 

$

9,931

 

$

8,320

 

$

502

 

$

8,822

 

Interest cost

 

16,887

 

2,831

 

19,718

 

16,051

 

2,760

 

18,811

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(20,930

)

 

(20,930

)

(19,073

)

 

(19,073

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

101

 

17

 

118

 

101

 

64

 

165

 

Recognized actuarial loss

 

4,600

 

1,193

 

5,793

 

4,514

 

1,033

 

5,547

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

10,020

 

$

4,610

 

$

14,630

 

$

9,913

 

$

4,359

 

$

14,272

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 25, 2005

 

September 26, 2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Qualified Plans

 

Non-Qualified Plans

 

All Plans

 

Qualified Plans

 

Non-Qualified Plans

 

All Plans

 

Service cost

 

$

28,086

 

$

1,707

 

$

29,793

 

$

24,960

 

$

1,506

 

$

26,466

 

Interest cost

 

50,661

 

8,493

 

59,154

 

48,153

 

8,280

 

56,433

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(62,790

)

 

(62,790

)

(57,219

)

 

(57,219

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

303

 

51

 

354

 

303

 

192

 

495

 

Recognized actuarial loss

 

13,800

 

3,579

 

17,379

 

13,540

 

3,099

 

16,639

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

30,060

 

$

13,830

 

$

43,890

 

$

29,737

 

$

13,077

 

$

42,814

 

 

The Company did not make any contributions to its pension plans in the first nine months of 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company plans to make a tax-deductible contribution to its qualified pension plans of $45 to $50 million.  The Company does not pre-fund its non-qualified pension plans, but rather pays for benefits as required from cash from operations.

 

16



 

Postretirement Benefits

 

The components of net periodic postretirement cost were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Service cost

 

$

1,730

 

$

1,540

 

$

5,190

 

$

4,620

 

Interest cost

 

3,053

 

2,885

 

9,159

 

8,655

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(1,293

)

(1,351

)

(3,879

)

(4,053

)

Recognized actuarial loss

 

659

 

395

 

1,977

 

1,185

 

Net periodic postretirement cost

 

$

4,149

 

$

3,469

 

$

12,447

 

$

10,407

 

 

9.             Other

 

In the second quarter of 2005, the Company announced a staff reduction program at The New York Times (“The Times”) and the New England Media Group.  A charge of $12.4 million ($7.5 million after tax or $.05 per diluted share) and $22.3 million ($13.6 million after tax or $.09 per diluted share), for staff reduction expenses was recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company recognized a $122.9 million gain from the sale of assets.  The Company completed the sale of its current headquarters in New York City for $175.0 million and entered into a lease for the building with the purchaser/lessor through 2007, when it expects to occupy its new headquarters (see Note 13). This transaction has been accounted for as a sale-leaseback in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  The sale resulted in a total pre-tax gain of $143.9 million, of which $114.5 million ($62.8 million after tax or $.43 per diluted share) was recognized in the first quarter of 2005.  The remainder of the gain is being deferred and amortized over the lease term in accordance with GAAP.  The lease requires the payment of rent over the lease term by the Company to the purchaser/lessor and will result in rent expense that will be offset by the amount of the gain being deferred and amortized.  In addition, the Company sold property in Sarasota, Fla., which resulted in a pre-tax gain in the first quarter of 2005 of approximately $8.4 million ($5.0 million after tax or $.03 per diluted share).

 

“Other income” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income includes the following items:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Non-compete agreement

 

$

1,250

 

$

1,250

 

$

3,750

 

$

3,750

 

Advertising credit (a)

 

 

2,823

 

 

2,823

 

Other income

 

$

1,250

 

$

4,073

 

$

3,750

 

$

6,573

 


(a) Related to credits for advertising issued by the Company, which were not used within the allotted time by the advertiser.

 

17



 

10.           Earnings Per Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share have been computed as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Basic earnings per share computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator
Net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

Denominator
Average number of common shares outstanding

 

145,214

 

146,469

 

145,535

 

148,340

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

.16

 

$

.33

 

$

1.34

 

$

1.23

 

Diluted earnings per share computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator
Net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

Denominator
Average number of common shares outstanding

 

145,214

 

146,469

 

145,535

 

148,340

 

Incremental shares for assumed exercise of securities

 

388

 

1,495

 

542

 

2,065

 

Total shares

 

145,602

 

147,964

 

146,077

 

150,405

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

.16

 

$

.33

 

$

1.33

 

$

1.21

 

 

The difference between basic and diluted shares is primarily due to the assumed exercise of stock options included in the diluted earnings per share computation.

 

Stock options with exercise prices that exceeded the average fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock had an antidilutive effect and, therefore, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.  Approximately 29 million stock options with exercise prices ranging from $32.34 to $48.54 were excluded from the computation in the third quarter of 2005, and approximately 24 million stock options with exercise prices ranging from $36.31 to $48.54 million were excluded from the computation in the first nine months of 2005.  Approximately 18 million stock options with exercise prices ranging from $42.25 to $48.54 were excluded from the computation in the third quarter of 2004 and approximately 13 million stock options with exercise prices ranging from $46.02 to $48.54 were excluded from the computation in the first nine months of 2004.

 

11.           Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income for the Company includes foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized derivative gains/(losses) on cash-flow hedges, unrealized (losses)/gains on marketable securities and “Net income” reported in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Comprehensive income was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

1,434

 

3,083

 

(7,567

)

654

 

Unrealized derivative gains/(losses) on cash-flow hedges

 

1,641

 

(503

)

1,285

 

 

Unrealized (losses)/gains on marketable securities

 

(24

)

 

(142

)

273

 

Income tax charge

 

(690

)

(121

)

(589

)

(229

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

25,442

 

$

50,731

 

$

187,932

 

$

183,082

 

 

18



 

The “Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was net of a deferred income tax benefit of approximately $67 million as of September 25, 2005, and December 26, 2004.

 

12.           Segment Statements of Income

 

On March 18, 2005, the Company acquired About, Inc. (see Notes 2 and 4).  The results of About.com have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning March 19, 2005.  About.com is a separate reportable segment of the Company.

 

On February 1, 2005, the Company acquired North Bay (see Notes 2 and 4).  The results of North Bay have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the acquisition date.  North Bay is included in the results of the News Media Group under the Regional Media Group.

 

If any of the acquisitions discussed above had occurred in the beginning of 2004, they would not have had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods ended September 25, 2005, or September 26, 2004.

 

Beginning in fiscal 2005, the results of the Company’s two New York City radio stations, WQXR-FM and WQEW-AM, formerly part of the Broadcast Media Group, are included in the results of the News Media Group under The New York Times Media Group.  WQXR, the Company’s classical music radio station, is working with The New York Times News Services division to expand the distribution of Times-branded news and information on radio, through The Times’s own resources and in collaboration with strategic partners.  WQEW receives revenues under a time brokerage agreement with ABC, Inc., which currently provides substantially all of WQEW’s programming.  All prior periods in 2004 have been reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.

 

The Company’s reportable segments consist of the News Media Group, the Broadcast Media Group and About.com. These segments are evaluated regularly by key management in assessing performance and allocating resources.

 

19



 

Below is a description of the Company’s reportable segments:

 

News Media Group (consisting of The New York Times Media Group, which includes The Times, NYTimes.com, the International Herald Tribune and two New York City radio stations; the New England Media Group, which includes The Boston Globe (the “Globe”), Boston.com and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette; and the Regional Media Group, which includes 15 daily newspapers and their related digital operations).

 

Broadcast Media Group (consisting of eight network-affiliated television stations and their related digital operations).

 

About.com (an Internet property providing information on various topics of interest).

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
 2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

743,631

 

$

738,668

 

$

2,312,731

 

$

2,295,573

 

Broadcast Media Group

 

33,280

 

35,162

 

101,781

 

104,132

 

About.com

 

14,172

 

 

27,223

 

 

Total

 

$

791,083

 

$

773,830

 

$

2,441,735

 

$

2,399,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

45,269

 

$

86,573

 

$

243,814

 

$

335,807

 

Broadcast Media Group

 

5,692

 

8,505

 

18,908

 

24,357

 

About.com

 

3,847

 

 

6,503

 

 

Corporate

 

(9,729

)

(10,787

)

(32,478

)

(34,954

)

Gain on Sale of Assets

 

 

 

122,946

 

 

Total

 

45,079

 

84,291

 

359,693

 

325,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from joint ventures

 

5,000

 

1,691

 

7,890

 

1,132

 

Interest expense, net

 

11,677

 

10,080

 

37,769

 

30,753

 

Other income

 

1,250

 

4,073

 

3,750

 

6,573

 

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

39,652

 

79,975

 

333,564

 

302,162

 

Income taxes

 

16,738

 

31,620

 

138,506

 

119,397

 

Minority interest in net loss/(income) of subsidiaries

 

167

 

(83

)

(113

)

(381

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

 

The News Media Group operating profit includes a charge of $12.4 million in the third quarter of 2005 and a charge of $22.3 million in the first nine months of 2005 related to staff reduction expenses at The Times and the New England Media Group (see Note 9).

 

See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-Q for a discussion on the Company’s reportable segments.

 

20



 

13.           Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

New Headquarters Building

 

The Company is in the process of developing a 1.54 million square foot condominium office building (the “Building”) in New York City that will serve as its new headquarters.  In December 2001, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“NYT”), and FC Lion LLC (a partnership between an affiliate of the Forest City Ratner Companies and an affiliate of ING Real Estate, “FC”) became the sole members of The New York Times Building LLC (the “Building Partnership”), a partnership established for the purpose of constructing the Building.

 

Capital expenditures in connection with the Building, including both core and shell and interior construction costs, are detailed in the table below.

 

Capital Expenditures

(Dollars in millions)

 

NYT

 

FC

 

Total

 

2001-2004

 

$154

 

$130

 

$284

 

2005

 

$85-$100

 

$55-$65

 

$140-$165(a)

 

Beyond 2005

 

$370-$385

 

$215-$234

 

$585-$619

 

Total

 

$609-$639

 

$400-$429

 

$1,009-$1,068

 

Less: net sale proceeds(b)

 

$106

 

 

$106

 

Total, net of sale proceeds

 

$503-$533(c)

 

$400-$429

 

$903-$962

 


(a)  Approximately $95 million was incurred as of September 25, 2005 (approximately $59 million incurred by NYT and approximately $36 million incurred by FC). 

 

(b)  Represents cash proceeds from the sale of the Company’s existing headquarters (see Note 9), net of income taxes and transaction costs.  This amount is not net of the Company’s future rental payments associated with the leaseback. 

 

(c)   Includes estimated capitalized interest and salaries in the range of $50 to $60 million.

 

See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004, for additional information regarding the Building.

 

Third-Party Guarantees

 

The Company has outstanding guarantees on behalf of a third party that provides circulation customer service, telemarketing and home-delivery services for The Times and the Globe (the “circulation servicer”), and on behalf of two third parties that provide printing and distribution services for The Times’s National Edition (the “National Edition printers”).  In accordance with GAAP, the contingent obligations related to these guarantees are not reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 25, 2005, and December 26, 2004.

 

The Company has guaranteed the payments under the circulation servicer’s credit facility and any miscellaneous costs related to any default thereunder (the “credit facility guarantee”).  The total amount of the credit facility guarantee was $20 million as of September 25, 2005.  The amount outstanding under the credit facility, which expires in April 2006 and is renewable, was approximately $18 million as of September 25, 2005.  The credit facility guarantee was made by the Company to allow the circulation servicer to obtain more favorable financing terms.  The circulation servicer has agreed to reimburse the Company for any amounts the Company pays under the credit facility guarantee and has granted the Company a security interest in all of its assets to secure repayment of any amounts the Company pays under the credit facility guarantee.

 

21



 

In addition, the Company has guaranteed the payments of two property leases of the circulation servicer and any miscellaneous costs related to any default thereunder (the “property lease guarantees”).  The total amount of the property lease guarantees was approximately $4 million as of September 25, 2005.  One property lease expires in June 2008 and the other property lease expires in May 2009.  The property lease guarantees were made by the Company to allow the circulation servicer to obtain space to conduct business.

 

The Company would have to perform the obligations of the circulation servicer under the credit facility and property lease guarantees if the circulation servicer defaulted under the terms of its credit facility or lease agreements.

 

The Company has guaranteed a portion of the payments of an equipment lease of a National Edition printer and any miscellaneous costs related to any default thereunder (the “equipment lease guarantee”).  The total amount of the equipment lease guarantee was approximately $3 million as of September 25, 2005.  The equipment lease expires in March 2011 but is cancelable in March 2006.  The Company made the equipment lease guarantee to allow the National Edition printer to obtain lower cost of lease financing.

 

The Company has also guaranteed certain debt of one of the two National Edition printers and any miscellaneous costs related to any default thereunder (the “debt guarantee”).  The total amount of the debt guarantee was approximately $6 million as of September 25, 2005.  The debt guarantee, which expires in May 2012, was made by the Company to allow the National Edition printer to obtain a lower cost of borrowing.

 

The Company has obtained a secured guarantee from a related party of the National Edition printer to repay the Company for any amounts that it would pay under the debt guarantee.  In addition, the Company has a security interest in the equipment that was purchased by the National Edition printer with the funds it received from its debt issuance, as well as other equipment and real property.

 

The Company would have to perform the obligations of the National Edition printers under the equipment and debt guarantees if the National Edition printers defaulted under the terms of their equipment leases or debt agreements.

 

Other

 

The Company also has letters of credit of approximately $34 million, which are required by insurance companies, to provide support for the Company’s workers’ compensation liability.  The workers’ compensation liability is included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 25, 2005.

 

There are various legal actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and are now pending against the Company.  These actions are generally for amounts greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that may be required to be made.  It is the opinion of management after reviewing these actions with legal counsel to the Company that the ultimate liability that might result from these actions would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

14.           Subsequent Event

 

On November 3, 2005, the Company acquired KAUT-TV, a UPN station in Oklahoma City, from Viacom Inc. for approximately $23 million.  KAUT-TV will be a part of the Broadcast Media Group.

 

22



 

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

 

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

 

Our Business

 

We create value by executing our strategy, which is to operate leading news, information and advertising media through multiple platforms in the national/global market and in each of the local markets we serve.  In addition, we strive to enhance value by controlling costs and implementing process improvement initiatives.  We continue to execute our strategy to grow geographically and across platforms.

 

Our strategy is pursued with a portfolio of properties that serves our customers in print and online as well as in broadcast.  For the first nine months of 2005, the News Media Group contributed 95% of our total revenues and the Broadcast Media Group and About.com (see the “2005 Events” section below) accounted for the remaining 5%.  Advertising revenues cause our quarterly consolidated results to vary by season.  The business model for each of these segments of The New York Times Company (the “Company”) is summarized below.

 

The News Media Group (consisting of The New York Times Media Group, which includes The New York Times (“The Times”), NYTimes.com, the International Herald Tribune (the “IHT”) and two New York City radio stations (see below); the New England Media Group, which includes The Boston Globe (the “Globe”), Boston.com and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette; and the Regional Media Group, which includes 15 daily newspapers and their related digital properties).  The News Media Group derives the majority of its revenues by offering advertisers a means (print, online and radio) to promote their brands, products and services to the buying public.  For the first nine months of 2005, approximately 65% of the News Media Group’s revenues were from advertising.  The News Media Group also derives revenues by offering the public a source of timely news and editorial materials, as well as information on products sold by advertisers.  For the first nine months of 2005, approximately 28% of the News Media Group’s revenues were from circulation.  Other revenues, which make up the remainder of revenues, primarily consist of revenues from wholesale delivery operations, news services and direct marketing.  The News Media Group’s main operating expenses are employee-related costs, which include compensation, and raw materials, primarily newsprint.

 

Beginning in fiscal 2005, the results of our two New York City radio stations, WQXR-FM and WQEW-AM, formerly part of the Broadcast Media Group, are included in the results of the News Media Group under The New York Times Media Group.  WQXR, our classical music radio station, is working with The New York Times News Services division to expand the distribution of Times-branded news and information on radio, through The Times’s own resources and in collaboration with strategic partners.  WQEW receives revenues under a time brokerage agreement with ABC, Inc., which currently provides substantially all of WQEW’s programming.  All prior periods in 2004 have been reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.

 

Broadcast Media Group (consisting of eight network-affiliated television stations (nine as of November 3, 2005 as a result of the acquisition of KAUT-TV (see the “2005 Events” section below)) and their related digital operations).  The Broadcast Media Group derives almost all of its revenues (98% for the first nine months of 2005) from the sale of commercial time to advertisers.  The Broadcast Media Group’s main operating expenses are employee-related costs and programming costs.

 

23



 

About.com (an Internet property providing information on various topics of interest).  About.com derives almost all of its revenues (97% for the first nine months of 2005) from the sale of advertisements (display and cost-per-click advertising).  Cost-per-click advertising (revenue earned only when a consumer clicks on an advertisement) accounts for slightly less than 50% of About.com’s total advertising revenues.  About.com does not charge a subscription fee for access to its Web site.  About.com’s main operating expenses are content-related costs, hosting costs and employee-related costs.

 

Joint Ventures. Our long-term strategy is also pursued through our equity investments: i) a 50% interest in the Discovery Times Channel, a digital cable television channel, ii) a 49% interest in Metro Boston LLC (see the “2005 Events” section below), iii) a 49% interest in a Canadian newsprint company, Donohue Malbaie Inc., and a 40% interest in a partnership, Madison Paper Industries, operating a supercalendered paper mill in Maine, and iv) a 16.7% interest in New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park and 80% of the New England Sports Network, a regional cable sports network.

 

Highlights

 

                  Advertising revenues grew approximately 4% in the third quarter and 3% in the first nine months of 2005 over the prior-year periods.  The increases were mainly due to higher print advertising rates, growth in Internet revenues and the inclusion of About.com in 2005 (see “2005 Events” section below), partially offset by lower print volume.

 

                  Circulation revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 decreased approximately 1% compared with the prior-year periods, mainly due to fewer copies sold at the Globe.

 

                  Expense growth was approximately 8% in the third quarter and 6% in the first nine months of 2005.  Expense growth was higher in 2005 than it would otherwise have been, in part because in 2004, there were no staff reductions or expense related to About.com and stock-based compensation expense was lower (due to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards 123-R in 2005) (see “2005 Events” sections below).  In addition, the increases were primarily due to higher distribution and outside printing expense, higher wages and benefits, increased promotion expense and higher newsprint costs.

 

                  Net income and diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2005 were $23.1 million and $.16 per share compared with $48.3 million and $.33 in the 2004 third quarter.  Net income and diluted earnings per share in the first nine months of 2005 were $194.9 million and $1.33 per share compared with $182.4 million and $1.21 per share in the first nine months of 2004.

 

Included in net income and diluted earnings per share is the following:

 

Third quarter of 2005

 

                  A charge of approximately $7 million after tax or $.05 per share related to staff reductions.

 

First nine months of 2005

 

                  A gain of approximately $68 million after tax or $.46 per share from the sale of assets.

 

24



 

                  A charge of approximately $14 million after tax or $.09 per share related to staff reductions.

 

See the “2005 Events” section below for additional information regarding our staff reduction programs and the sale of assets.

 

In the first nine months of 2005, the advertising market continued to be uneven.  Advertising revenues from our Regional Media Group, which operates in relatively small markets, increased approximately 6% while advertising revenues for the New England Media Group, which is in an area of the country that is lagging in economic growth, declined approximately 3%.  The New York Times Media Group’s advertising revenues increased approximately 2%, driven by higher Internet revenues.  Total News Media Group Internet advertising revenues increased approximately 29% in the first nine months of 2005.

 

We continue to make investments to grow circulation revenues.  In the fourth quarter of 2005, we plan to launch a new contract print site in Toronto, and in the first quarter of 2006 we expect to launch another site in Houston.  We expect to add up to five more print sites to support the national expansion.  These print sites will increase availability of The Times outside the metropolitan New York area.

 

In the first nine months of 2005, we continued to execute our revenue growth strategy through acquisitions, such as About.com, that extend our existing brands and add new capabilities.  In addition, we continued to invest in new and existing products as well as implement further cost-control measures.

 

2005 Events

 

Staff Reduction Programs

 

In September 2005, we announced a plan to undertake staff reductions that will affect approximately 500 employees of the Company over the next six to nine months.  We expect the total charge for this staff reduction program to be $35 to $45 million, which will be recorded over the next three quarters, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

In May 2005, we announced a plan to undertake staff reductions at The Times and the New England Media Group of approximately 200 employees.  This staff reduction resulted in a charge of $12.4 million ($7.5 million after tax or $.05 per diluted share) and $22.3 million ($13.6 million after tax or $.09 per diluted share) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005.

 

We expect annualized net savings of $50 to $70 million when the two staff reduction programs announced in May and September 2005 are completed.  The exact charges and savings will depend on the final composition and seniority of affected employees.  The gross savings will be partially offset by an anticipated increase in expense from outsourcing of certain services.  In addition, the Company will fund initiatives for future growth by investing in people in key strategic areas.

 

Acquisitions/Investment

 

On March 18, 2005, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of About, Inc., a leading online consumer information provider.  The purchase price was approximately $410 million and was funded through a

 

25



 

combination of short-term and long-term debt.  The results of About.com have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning March 19, 2005.  The acquisition provides us with strategic benefits, including diversifying our advertising base and extending our reach among Internet users.  About.com is a separate reportable segment of the Company.

 

On February 1, 2005, we acquired the North Bay Business Journal (“North Bay”), a weekly publication targeting business leaders in California’s Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, for approximately $3 million.  The results of North Bay have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the acquisition date.  North Bay is included in the results of the News Media Group under the Regional Media Group.

 

See Notes 2, 4 and 12 of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these acquisitions.

 

On March 10, 2005, we invested $16.5 million to acquire a 49% interest in Metro Boston LLC (“Metro Boston”), which publishes a free daily newspaper catering to young professionals in the Greater Boston area.  The investment in Metro Boston is being accounted for under the equity method, and therefore the investment and results of operations are included in “Investments in joint ventures” and “Net income from joint ventures” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Income.

 

On November 3, 2005, the Company acquired KAUT-TV, a UPN station in Oklahoma City, from Viacom Inc. for approximately $23 million.  KAUT-TV will be a part of the Broadcast Media Group.

 

Sale of Assets

 

In the first quarter of 2005, we recognized a $122.9 million gain from the sale of assets.  We completed the sale of our current headquarters in New York City for $175.0 million and entered into a lease for the building with the purchaser/lessor through 2007, when we expect to occupy our new headquarters (see Note 13 of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).  This transaction has been accounted for as a sale-leaseback in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  The sale resulted in a total pre-tax gain of $143.9 million, of which $114.5 million ($62.8 million after tax or $.43 per diluted share) was recognized in the first quarter of 2005.  The remainder of the gain is being deferred and amortized over the lease term in accordance with GAAP.  The lease requires us to pay rent over the lease term to the purchaser/lessor and will result in rent expense that will be offset by the amount of the gain being deferred and amortized.  In addition, we sold property in Sarasota, Fla., which resulted in a pre-tax gain in the first quarter of 2005 of approximately $8.4 million ($5.0 million after tax or $.03 per diluted share).

 

Adoption of FAS 123-R

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123-R”).  FAS 123-R is a revision of FAS No. 123, as

 

26



 

amended, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“FAS 123”), and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”).  FAS 123-R eliminates the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in FAS 123, which generally resulted in no compensation expense recorded in the financial statements related to the issuance of stock options or shares issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).  FAS 123-R requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements.  FAS 123-R establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees.

 

On December 27, 2004 (the first day of our 2005 fiscal year), we adopted FAS 123-R.  While FAS 123-R is not effective until the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, we elected to adopt it before the required effective date.  We adopted FAS 123-R using a modified prospective application, as permitted under FAS 123-R.  Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.  Under this application, we are required to record compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption.

 

Before the adoption of FAS 123-R, we applied APB 25 to account for our stock-based awards.  Under APB 25, we generally only recorded stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock and long-term incentive awards (“LTIP awards”), which amounted to $0.5 million and $3.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004.  Under the provisions of APB 25, we were not required to recognize compensation expense for the cost of stock options or shares issued under our ESPP.  In accordance with the adoption of FAS 123-R, we record stock-based compensation expense for the cost of stock options, restricted stock, shares issued under the ESPP and LTIP awards.  Stock-based compensation expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 was $2.4 million ($1.9 million after tax or $.01 per diluted share) and $15.6 million ($11.2 million after tax or $.08 per diluted share).

 

See Note 3 of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the adoption of FAS 123-R.

 

Trends and Uncertainties

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004, details our trends and uncertainties.  As of September 25, 2005, there have been no material changes in our trends and uncertainties from December 26, 2004.

 

27



 

2005 Guidance

 

A summary of guidance on key financial measures for 2005, on a GAAP basis, is shown below. 

 

Item

 

2005 Guidance

Total Company Advertising Revenues

 

Growth rate expected to be in the low-single digits

News Media Group Circulation Revenues

 

Expected to be flat to down slightly

Total Company Expenses Including Stock-based Compensation Expense Recorded on the Income Statement

 

Growth rate expected to be in the mid- to high-single digits (a)

Newsprint Cost Per Ton

 

Growth rate expected to be 9-11%

Stock-based Compensation Expense Recorded on the Income Statement

 

$28 to $34 million (b)

Depreciation & Amortization

 

$142 to $146 million

Total Capital Expenditures

 

$255 to $285 million (c)

Results From Joint Ventures

 

Income of $6 to $9 million

Interest Expense

 

$50 to $53 million

Dilution Attributable to About.com

 

$.03 or less per share

Tax Rate(d)

 

41.0%

 


(a)       Includes stock-based compensation expense of $28 to $34 million (or $.12 to $.16 per diluted share), and staff reduction charges related to programs announced in May and September.

 

(b)       Stock-based compensation expense for the first nine months of 2005 was approximately $16 million and we expect the fourth quarter expense to be $12 to $18 million.  Stock-based compensation expense in the fourth quarter will be higher than previous quarters because of accelerated expense for awards expected to be granted in December 2005 to retirement-eligible employees.

 

(c)        Includes our capital expenditures ($85 to $100 million) and those of our development partner ($55 to $65 million) in connection with the new headquarters.

 

(d)       Includes the tax effect related to the pre-tax gain of $114.5 million ($62.8 million after tax or $.43 per share) in connection with the sale of our current headquarters in the first quarter of 2005.  Excluding the tax effect, the tax rate for 2005 is expected to be 39.6%.

 

28



 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

The following table presents our consolidated financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

518,224

 

$

498,205

 

4.0

 

$

1,624,366

 

$

1,578,743

 

2.9

 

Circulation

 

217,872

 

220,539

 

(1.2

)

655,971

 

660,938

 

(0.8

)

Other

 

54,987

 

55,086

 

(0.2

)

161,398

 

160,024

 

0.9

 

Total

 

791,083

 

773,830

 

2.2

 

2,441,735

 

2,399,705

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

75,718

 

73,328

 

3.3

 

228,900

 

215,435

 

6.3

 

Wages and benefits

 

174,145

 

165,127

 

5.5

 

523,058

 

510,749

 

2.4

 

Other

 

132,969

 

126,114

 

5.4

 

386,681

 

371,323

 

4.1

 

Total

 

382,832

 

364,569

 

5.0

 

1,138,639

 

1,097,507

 

3.7

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

363,172

 

324,970

 

11.8

 

1,066,349

 

976,988

 

9.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

746,004

 

689,539

 

8.2

 

2,204,988

 

2,074,495

 

6.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

 

N/A

 

122,946

 

 

N/A

 

OPERATING PROFIT

 

45,079

 

84,291

 

(46.5

)

359,693

 

325,210

 

10.6

 

Net income from joint ventures

 

5,000

 

1,691

 

 

*

7,890

 

1,132

 

 

*

Interest expense, net

 

11,677

 

10,080

 

15.8

 

37,769

 

30,753

 

22.8

 

Other income

 

1,250

 

4,073

 

(69.3

)

3,750

 

6,573

 

(42.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and minority interest

 

39,652

 

79,975

 

(50.4

)

333,564

 

302,162

 

10.4

 

Income taxes

 

16,738

 

31,620

 

(47.1

)

138,506

 

119,397

 

16.0

 

Minority interest in net loss/(income) of subsidiaries

 

167

 

(83

)

 

*

(113

)

(381

)

(70.3

)

NET INCOME

 

$

23,081

 

$

48,272

 

(52.2

)

$

194,945

 

$

182,384

 

6.9

 

 


*                 Represents an increase in excess of 100%.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, by reportable segment and for the Company as a whole, were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

743,631

 

$

738,668

 

0.7

 

$

2,312,731

 

$

2,295,573

 

0.7

 

Broadcast Media Group

 

33,280

 

35,162

 

(5.4

)

101,781

 

104,132

 

(2.3

)

About.com

 

14,172

 

 

N/A

 

27,223

 

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

791,083

 

$

773,830

 

2.2

 

$

2,441,735

 

$

2,399,705

 

1.8

 

 

 

29



 

News Media Group: Advertising, circulation and other revenues by operating segment of the News Media Group and for the Group as a whole were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New York Times Media Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

272,709

 

$

265,047

 

2.9

 

$

885,937

 

$

869,565

 

1.9

 

Circulation

 

154,160

 

154,052

 

0.1

 

461,258

 

459,554

 

0.4

 

Other

 

39,035

 

41,311

 

(5.5

)

114,694

 

117,378

 

(2.3

)

Total

 

$

465,904

 

$

460,410

 

1.2

 

$

1,461,889

 

$

1,446,497

 

1.1

 

New England Media Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

111,181

 

$

114,374

 

(2.8

)

$

341,767

 

$

350,801

 

(2.6

)

Circulation

 

42,942

 

45,631

 

(5.9

)

129,088

 

136,013

 

(5.1

)

Other

 

9,412

 

8,383

 

12.3

 

27,444

 

26,496

 

3.6

 

Total

 

$

163,535

 

$

168,388

 

(2.9

)

$

498,299

 

$

513,310

 

(2.9

)

Regional Media Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

88,074

 

$

84,448

 

4.3

 

$

270,847

 

$

256,489

 

5.6

 

Circulation

 

20,770

 

20,856

 

(0.4

)

65,625

 

65,371

 

0.4

 

Other

 

5,348

 

4,566

 

17.1

 

16,071

 

13,906

 

15.6

 

Total

 

$

114,192

 

$

109,870

 

3.9

 

$

352,543

 

$

335,766

 

5.0

 

Total News Media Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

471,964

 

$

463,869

 

1.7

 

$

1,498,551

 

$

1,476,855

 

1.5

 

Circulation

 

217,872

 

220,539

 

(1.2

)

655,971

 

660,938

 

(0.8

)

Other

 

53,795

 

54,260

 

(0.9

)

158,209

 

157,780

 

0.3

 

Total

 

$

743,631

 

$

738,668

 

0.7

 

$

2,312,731

 

$

2,295,573

 

0.7

 

 

Advertising Revenues

 

Advertising revenues increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, primarily due to growth in Internet revenues and higher print advertising rates, partially offset by lower print volume.

 

Advertising revenues at The New York Times Media Group were higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with the prior year periods due to increases in all categories.

 

The New England Media Group advertising revenues decreased in the third quarter of 2005 compared with the prior year period mainly due to lower classified and retail advertising revenues.  The decrease in the first nine months of 2005 compared with the prior year period was mainly due to lower national and classified advertising revenues.

 

Advertising revenues at the Regional Media Group were higher in the third quarter of  2005 compared with the prior year period due to an increase in classified advertising revenues.  The increase in the first nine months of 2005 compared with the prior year period was mainly due to higher classified and retail advertising revenues.

 

The News Media Group’s Internet advertising revenues, which are included in the table above, increased approximately 31% and 29% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with the same periods last year due to growth in all advertising categories.

 

 

30



 

Print advertising volume, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, for the News Media Group was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Inches in thousands, preprints in
thousands of copies)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National (a)

 

537.8

 

561.7

 

(4.2

)

1,720.9

 

1,802.6

 

(4.5

)

Retail

 

1,528.5

 

1,516.2

 

0.8

 

4,692.5

 

4,655.5

 

0.8

 

Classified

 

2,393.8

 

2,396.1

 

(0.1

)

7,252.4

 

7,365.5

 

(1.5

)

Part Run/Zoned

 

482.4

 

508.5

 

(5.1

)

1,548.3

 

1,622.7

 

(4.6

)

Total

 

4,942.5

 

4,982.5

 

(0.8

)

15,214.1

 

15,446.3

 

(1.5

)

Preprints

 

676,688

 

669,842

 

1.0

 

2,092,329

 

2,009,953

 

4.1

 

 


(a)  Includes all advertising volume from the IHT.

 

Circulation Revenues

 

Circulation revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 decreased approximately 1% compared with the prior year periods mainly due to a decrease in copies sold at the Boston Globe.  Circulation revenues remained flat at The New York Times Media Group and the Regional Media Group in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with the prior year periods.

 

Broadcast Media Group

 

Broadcast Media Group revenues decreased to $33.3 million and $101.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with $35.2 million and $104.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004.  The decreases were primarily due to lower political advertising ($0.3 million and $1.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 compared with $3.9 million and $9.6 million in the prior year periods) and no Olympic advertising ($1.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004) in 2005.  The decreases in political and Olympic advertising were partially offset by increases in other categories.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Costs and expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

75,718

 

$

73,328

 

3.3

 

$

228,900

 

$

215,435

 

6.3

 

Wages and benefits

 

174,145

 

165,127

 

5.5

 

523,058

 

510,749

 

2.4

 

Other

 

132,969

 

126,114

 

5.4

 

386,681

 

371,323

 

4.1

 

Total production costs

 

382,832

 

364,569

 

5.0

 

1,138,639

 

1,097,507

 

3.7

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

363,172

 

324,970

 

11.8

 

1,066,349

 

976,988

 

9.1

 

Total

 

$

746,004

 

$

689,539

 

8.2

 

$

2,204,988

 

$

2,074,495

 

6.3

 

 

Total production costs and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were unfavorably affected by the inclusion of About.com and incremental stock-based compensation expense, as a result of the adoption of FAS 123-R, in 2005.  SG&A expenses were also unfavorably affected by staff reduction expenses in 2005.

 

In addition to the above, total production costs increased mainly due to higher wages and benefits, increased outside printing expense and higher newsprint expense.

 

31



 

Newsprint expense rose 3.0% in the third quarter of 2005 compared with the 2004 third quarter, with 5.4% resulting from higher prices, partially offset by a 2.4% decrease from lower consumption.  For the first nine months of 2005, newsprint expenses increased 5.7% compared with the first nine months of 2004, with 7.9% resulting from higher prices, partially offset by a 2.2% decrease from lower consumption.

 

In addition to the above, SG&A expenses increased mainly because of higher distribution and promotion expense.

 

The following table sets forth consolidated costs and expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, by reportable segment, Corporate and the Company as a whole.  The reasons underlying the period-to-period changes in each segment’s cost and expenses are discussed below under “Operating Profit”.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

698,362

 

$

652,095

 

7.1

 

$

2,068,917

 

$

1,959,766

 

5.6

 

Broadcast Media Group

 

27,588

 

26,657

 

(3.5

)

82,873

 

79,775

 

3.9

 

About.com

 

10,325

 

 

N/A

 

20,720

 

 

N/A

 

Corporate

 

9,729

 

10,787

 

(9.8

)

32,478

 

34,954

 

(7.1

)

Total

 

$

746,004

 

$

689,539

 

8.2

 

$

2,204,988

 

$

2,074,495

 

6.3

 

 

Operating Profit

 

Consolidated operating profit, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, by reportable segment, Corporate and for the Company as a whole, were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

Operating Profit (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

45,269

 

$

86,573

 

(47.7

)

$

243,814

 

$

335,807

 

(27.4

)

Broadcast Media Group

 

5,692

 

8,505

 

(33.1

)

18,908

 

24,357

 

(22.4

)

About.com

 

3,847

 

 

N/A

 

6,503

 

 

N/A

 

Corporate

 

(9,729

)

(10,787

)

(9.8

)

(32,478

)

(34,954

)

(7.1

)

Gain on Sale of Assets

 

 

 

N/A

 

122,946

 

 

N/A

 

Operating Profit

 

$

45,079

 

$

84,291

 

(46.5

)

$

359,693

 

$

325,210

 

10.6

 

 

The decreases at the News Media Group were primarily due to higher expenses related to staff reductions, higher wages and benefits, increased distribution and outside printing expense, increased promotion expense, incremental stock-based compensation expense and higher newsprint expense.

 

The decreases at the Broadcast Media Group were primarily because of lower political and Olympic advertising revenues, higher wages and stock-based compensation expense.

 

32



 

Non-operating Items

 

Joint Ventures

 

Net income from joint ventures was $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared with $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2004.  We recorded income from joint ventures of $7.9 million in the first nine months of 2005 compared with income of $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2004.  The improvement in 2005 compared with 2004 was due to more favorable results at most of the properties in which we have equity interests.  Results for Metro Boston are included in “Net income from joint ventures” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

“Interest expense, net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

Interest expense

 

$

15,739

 

$

12,757

 

$

43,747

 

$

37,195

 

Loss from extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

4,767

 

 

Interest income

 

(965

)

(452

)

(2,705

)

(1,049

)

Capitalized interest

 

(3,097

)

(2,225

)

(8,040

)

(5,393

)

Interest expense, net

 

$

11,677

 

$

10,080

 

$

37,769

 

$

30,753

 

 

Interest expense-net increased in the third quarter of 2005 mainly due to higher levels of debt outstanding and higher short-term interest rates.  This increase was partially offset by higher capitalized interest related to the construction of our new headquarters.  Interest expense-net increased in the first nine months of 2005 primarily due to a loss related to our redemption of our $71.9 million debentures before maturity date (see “Third-Party Financing” section below for additional information), higher levels of debt outstanding and higher short-term interest rates, partially offset by higher capitalized interest related to the construction of our new headquarters.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Consolidated depreciation and amortization, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 and 2004, by reportable segment, Corporate and for the Company as a whole, were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 


% Change

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 


% Change

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Group

 

$

29,658

 

$

30,308

 

(2.1

)

$

88,682

 

$

93,551

 

(5.2

)

Broadcast Media Group

 

2,074

 

1,944

 

6.7

 

6,116

 

6,510

 

(6.1

)

About.com

 

3,040

 

 

N/A

 

6,167

 

 

N/A

 

Corporate(a)

 

1,823

 

2,151

 

(15.2

)

5,279

 

6,520

 

(19.0

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

36,595

 

$

34,403

 

6.4

 

$

106,244

 

$

106,581

 

(0.3

)


(a)          Beginning in fiscal 2005, restricted stock is being recorded as stock-based compensation expense.

For comparability, restricted stock in the prior year (recorded at Corporate), which had been reported as amortization expense, has been reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.  Restricted stock expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 was $1.0 and $2.7 million.

 

33



 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

We expect our cash balance, cash provided from operations and available third-party financing, described below, to be sufficient to meet our normal operating commitments and debt requirements, to fund planned capital expenditures, to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock, to pay dividends to our stockholders and to make contributions to our pension plans.

 

We repurchase Class A Common Stock under our stock repurchase program from time to time either in the open market or through private transactions, and these repurchases may be suspended from time to time or discontinued.  We generally repurchase Class A Common Stock at least equal to the number of shares issued for equity awards.  During the first nine months of 2005, we repurchased 1.3 million shares of Class A Common Stock at a cost of approximately $47 million.  Stock option exercises have been lower than anticipated in 2005; therefore, stock repurchases have been greater than issuances of 0.4 million shares.  From September 26, 2005 through October 28, 2005, we repurchased 0.1 million shares at a cost of approximately $3.6 million.  In 2004, we repurchased 6.8 million shares of Class A Common Stock at a cost of approximately $293 million.

 

We expect dividends to increase to approximately $95 million in 2005 from approximately $90 million in 2004 as our Board of Directors authorized a $.01 per share increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock to $.165 per share from $.155 per share effective with the June 2005 dividend.

 

In the fourth quarter, we plan to make a tax-deductible contribution to our qualified pension plans of $45 to $50 million.

 

New Building

 

We are in the process of developing our new headquarters building in New York City (the “Building”), which we expect to occupy in 2007.  In December 2001, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (“NYT”), and FC Lion LLC (a partnership between an affiliate of the Forest City Ratner Companies and an affiliate of ING Real Estate, “FC”) became the sole members of The New York Times Building LLC (the “Building Partnership”), a partnership established for the purpose of constructing the Building.

 

Capital expenditures in connection with the Building, including both core and shell and interior construction costs, are detailed in the table below.

 

Capital Expenditures

(Dollars in millions)

 

NYT

 

FC

 

Total

 

2001-2004

 

$154

 

$130

 

$284

 

2005

 

$85-$100

 

$55-$65

 

$140-$165(a)

 

Beyond 2005

 

$370-$385

 

$215-$234

 

$585-$619

 

Total

 

$609-$639

 

$400-$429

 

$1,009-$1,068

 

Less: net sale proceeds(b)

 

$106

 

 

$106

 

Total, net of sale proceeds

 

$503-$533(c)

 

$400-$429

 

$903-$962

 


(a)  Approximately $95 million was incurred as of September 25, 2005 (approximately $59 million incurred by NYT and approximately $36 million incurred by FC). 

 

(b)  Represents cash proceeds from the sale of our existing headquarters (see the "2005 Events" section above), net of income taxes and transaction costs.  This amount is not net of the Company’s future rental payments associated with the leaseback. 

 

(c)   Includes estimated capitalized interest and salaries in the range of $50 to $60 million.

 

34



 

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004, for additional information regarding the Building.

 

Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

Cash flows for the first nine months of 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 25,
2005

 

September 26,
2004

 

% Change

 

Operating Activities

 

$

226,991

 

$

368,360

 

(38.4

)

Investing Activities

 

$

(396,405

)

$

(127,281

)

 

*

Financing Activities

 

$

164,950

 

$

(249,630

)

 

*

 


*                 Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100%.

 

Operating Activities

 

The primary source of our liquidity is cash flows from operating activities.  The key component of operating cash flow is cash receipts from advertising customers.  Operating cash inflows also include cash receipts from circulation sales and other revenue transactions such as wholesale delivery operations and direct marketing.  Operating cash outflows include payments to vendors for raw materials, services and supplies, payments to employees, and payments of interest and income taxes.

 

Cash inflows from operating activities decreased in the first nine months of 2005 compared with the prior year period           due to lower earnings from ongoing operations and higher net working capital requirements primarily due to tax payments in connection with the gain on the sale of the Company's current headquarters.

 

Investing Activities

 

Investment cash inflows generally include proceeds from the sale of assets or a business.  Investment cash outflows generally include payments for the acquisition of new businesses, equity investments and capital expenditures, including property, plant and equipment.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2005 increased compared with the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to the acquisitions and investment made in the first nine months of 2005 partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets (see the “2005 Events” section above).

 

Financing Activities

 

Financing cash inflows generally include borrowings under our commercial paper program, the issuance of long-term debt, and funds from stock option exercises.  Financing cash outflows generally include the repayment of commercial paper and long-term debt, the payment of dividends and the repurchase of our Class A Common Stock.

 

We had net cash provided by financing activities in the first nine months of 2005 compared with net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2004.  In the first nine months of 2005, the majority of net cash provided by financing activities was from the issuance of notes (approximately $498 million), partially offset by the repayment of notes and debentures (approximately $323 million).  In the first nine months of 2004, net cash used in financing activities was primarily from share repurchases (approximately $238 million).

 

35



 

See our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for additional information on our sources and uses of cash.

 

Third-Party Financing

 

We have the following financing sources available to supplement cash flows from operations:

                  A commercial paper facility,

                  Revolving credit agreements, and

                  Medium-term notes.

 

Our total debt, including commercial paper and capital lease obligations, was $1.3 billion as of September 25, 2005, compared with $1.1 billion as of December 26, 2004.

 

Our short- and long-term debt is rated investment grade by the major rating agencies. During 2005, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s lowered their ratings on our long-term debt to A2 and A, respectively, and confirmed their ratings of P1 and A1, respectively, on our short-term debt.  We have no liabilities subject to accelerated payment upon a ratings downgrade and do not expect the downgrade of our long-term debt ratings to have any material impact on our ability to borrow.  However, as a result of this downgrade, we may incur higher borrowing costs in respect of any future long-term issuances.  We do not currently expect these to be significant.

 

Our 10-year notes, aggregating $250.0 million and bearing interest at an annual rate of 7.625%, matured on March 15, 2005.  Our repayment of these notes resulted in a decrease in “Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 25, 2005.

 

On March 15, 2005, we also redeemed all of our $71.9 million outstanding 8.25% debentures, callable on March 15, 2005, and maturing on March 15, 2025, at a redemption price of 103.76% of the principal amount.  The redemption premium and unamortized issuance costs resulted in a loss from the extinguishment of debt of $4.8 million and is included in “Interest expense-net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

On March 17, 2005, we issued 5-year notes aggregating $250.0 million maturing March 15, 2010, at an annual rate of 4.5%, and 10-year notes aggregating $250.0 million maturing March 15, 2015, at an annual rate of 5.0%.  Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 on both series of notes.

 

Commercial Paper

 

Our $600.0 million commercial paper program is supported by the revolving credit agreements described below.  Commercial paper that we issue is unsecured and can have maturities of up to 270 days.  We had $431.0 million in commercial paper outstanding as of September 25, 2005, with an annual weighted average interest rate of 3.7% and an average of 61 days to maturity from original issuance.

 

Revolving Credit Agreements

 

The primary purpose of our revolving credit agreements is to support our commercial paper program.  In addition, these revolving credit agreements provide a facility for the issuance of letters of credit.  Of the total $670.0 million available under the two revolving credit agreements ($400 million five-year revolving credit agreement

 

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maturing in May 2009, and $270 million multi-year credit agreement maturing in June 2006), we have issued letters of credit of approximately $32 million.  The remaining balance of approximately $638 million supports our commercial paper program discussed above.  There were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit agreements as of September 25, 2005, or December 26, 2004.

 

Any borrowings under the revolving credit agreements bear interest at specified margins based on our credit rating, over various floating rates selected by us.

 

The revolving credit agreements contain a covenant that requires specified levels of stockholders’ equity.  As of September 25, 2005, the amount of stockholders’ equity in excess of the required levels was approximately $476 million.

 

Medium-Term Notes

 

Our liquidity requirements may also be funded through the public offer and sale of notes under our $300.0 million medium-term note program.  An additional $225.0 million of medium-term notes may be issued from time to time pursuant to our currently effective shelf registration statement.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS & OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004.  As of September 25, 2005, our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements have not materially changed from December 26, 2004.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our critical accounting policies are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004.  As of September 25, 2005 our critical accounting policies have not changed from December 26, 2004, except for our accounting for stock-based compensation in connection with the adoption of FAS 123-R.

 

Under FAS 123-R, we use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of our stock options and ESPP rights and a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the fair value of LTIP awards.  These fair value models include various assumptions, including the expected volatility and expected life of the awards.  These assumptions reflect our best estimates, but they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside of our control.  As a result, if other assumptions had been used, stock-based compensation expense, as calculated and recorded under FAS 123-R, could have been materially impacted.  Furthermore, if we use different assumptions in future periods, stock-based compensation expense could be materially impacted in future periods.  See Note 3 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our adoption of FAS 123-R.

 

FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT OPERATING RESULTS

 

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include national and local conditions, as well as competition, that could influence the levels (rate and volume) of retail, national and classified

 

 

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advertising and circulation generated by our various markets, material increases in newsprint prices and the timing and amount of savings realized as a result of our cost-control initiatives.  They also include other risks detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2004, details our disclosures about market risk.  As of September 25, 2005, there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk from December 26, 2004.

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

Janet L. Robinson, our Chief Executive Officer, and Leonard P. Forman, our Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 25, 2005.  Based on such evaluation, Ms. Robinson and Mr. Forman concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

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

 

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities(1)

 

Period

 

(a)
Total Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Purchased

 

(b)
Average Price Paid Per Share of Class A Common Stock

 

(c)
Total Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

(d)
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares of Class A Common Stock that May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans Or Programs

 

June 27, 2005 —
July 31, 2005

 

110,186

 

$

31.04

 

109,500

 

$

163,421,000

 

August 1, 2005 —
August 28, 2005

 

179,248

 

$

31.46

 

177,000

 

$

157,854,000

 

August 29, 2005 —
September 25, 2005

 

81,709

 

$

30.87

 

81,000

 

$

155,355,000

 

Total for the third quarter of 2005

 

371,143

(2)

$

31.20

 

367,500

 

$

155,355,000

 

 


(1)          Except as otherwise noted, all purchases were made pursuant to the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program.  As of October 28, 2005, the Company had authorization from its Board to repurchase an amount of up to $151.7 million of its Class A Common Stock.  The Board has authorized the Company to purchase shares from time to time as market conditions permit.  There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

 

(2)          Includes 3,643 shares (686 shares in fiscal July, 2,248 shares in fiscal August and 709 shares in fiscal September) withheld from employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted shares awarded under the Company’s 1991 Executive Stock Incentive Plan.  The shares were repurchased by the Company pursuant to the terms of the plan and not pursuant to the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits

 

12

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Added By Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Added By Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 4, 2005

 

/s/    

Leonard P. Forman

 

 

 

Leonard P. Forman

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

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Exhibit Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 25, 2005

 

Exhibit No.

 

12

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d - 14(a) Certification

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Added By Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Added By Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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