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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITIONAL REPORTS
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 AND 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For The Transition Period From __ To__
Commission File Number: 333-46957
LIBERTY GROUP PUBLISHING, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 36-4197635
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
3000 DUNDEE ROAD, SUITE 203 60062
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 272-2244
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2): Yes [ ] No [X]
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, as of March 30, 2004 was 2,158,833, all of which is owned
by affiliates of the registrant. There is no public market for the common stock.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements...................................................................... 1
Item 1. Business................................................................................................. 1
Item 2. Properties............................................................................................... 7
Item 3. Legal Proceedings........................................................................................ 7
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...................................................... 7
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.................................... 8
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.................................................................................. 8
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.................... 11
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk............................................... 24
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.............................................................. 24
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure..................... 24
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.................................................................................. 24
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Other Key Employees of the Registrant.................................. 25
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................................................... 28
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters........... 31
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................................................... 33
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.................................................................... 34
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K......................................... 35
(a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................... 35
2. Financial Statement Schedules........................................................................ 35
(b) Reports on Form 8-K...................................................................................... 35
(c) Exhibits................................................................................................. 35
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PART I
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 10-K contains certain "forward-looking
statements" (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
that reflect the Company's expectations regarding its future growth, results of
operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Words such as
"anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates" and
similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements,
but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. These
statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and expectations and are based
on information currently available to the Company. Accordingly, these statements
are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause the Company's actual growth, results of operations, performance and
business prospects and opportunities to differ from those expressed in, or
implied by, these statements. As a result, no assurance can be given that the
Company's future growth, results of operations, performance and business
prospects and opportunities covered by such forward-looking statements will be
achieved. Such factors include, among others: (1) the Company's dependence on
local economies and vulnerability to general economic conditions; (2) the
Company's substantial indebtedness; (3) the Company's holding company structure;
(4) the Company's ability to implement its acquisition strategy; (5) the
Company's competitive business environment, which may reduce demand for
advertising; and (6) the Company's ability to attract and retain key employees.
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 20 for a discussion of the above factors
and other such factors. For purposes of this annual report on Form 10-K, any
statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be
deemed to be forward-looking statements. The Company is not obligated and has no
intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new
events, information or circumstances.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. ("LGP" or "Registrant") is a Delaware
corporation formed on January 27, 1998 for the purpose of acquiring a portion of
the daily and weekly newspapers owned by American Publishing Company or its
subsidiaries ("APC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hollinger International Inc.
("Hollinger"). LGP is a holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary, Liberty
Group Operating, Inc. ("Operating Company" or "LGO"). The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of LGP and Operating Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company").
The Company is a leading U.S. publisher of local newspapers and related
publications that are the dominant source of local news and print advertising in
their markets. As of December 31, 2003, the Company owns and operates 301
publications located in 17 states that reach approximately 2.37 million people
on a weekly basis. The majority of the Company's paid daily newspapers have been
published for more than 100 years and are typically the only paid daily
newspapers of general circulation in their respective non-metropolitan markets.
The Company's newspapers generally face limited competition as a result of
operating in markets that are distantly located from large metropolitan areas
and that can typically support only one primary newspaper, with the exception of
the Company's publications in the Chicago suburban market. The Company has
strategically clustered its publications in geographically diverse,
non-metropolitan markets in the Midwest and Northeast United States and in the
Chicago suburban market, which limits its exposure to economic conditions in any
single market or region.
The Company's portfolio of publications is comprised of 65 paid daily
newspapers and 127 paid non-daily newspapers. In addition, the Company publishes
109 free circulation and "total market coverage," or TMC, publications with
limited or no news or editorial content that it distributes free of charge and
that generally provide 100% penetration in their areas of distribution. The
Company believes that its publications are generally the most cost-effective
method for its advertisers to reach substantially all of the households in their
markets. Unlike large metropolitan newspapers, the Company derives a majority of
its revenues from local display advertising rather than classified and national
advertising, which are generally more sensitive to economic conditions.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Newspaper publishing is the oldest and largest segment of the media
industry. Although there are several major national newspaper companies, the
Company believes that the newspaper publishing industry in the United States is
highly fragmented. Most smaller publications are owned and operated by
individuals whose newspaper holdings and financial resources are generally
limited. Further, the Company believes that relatively few daily newspapers have
been established in recent years due to the high cost of starting a daily
newspaper operation and building a franchise identity. Moreover, most community
markets cannot sustain more than one newspaper.
The operating strategy of many newspaper companies has been impacted by
the widespread use of the internet. Most newspapers have internet editions that
deliver the same news and editorial content at no cost to registered users.
However, the Company believes that most customers prefer their newspapers in
printed form.
Advertising revenue is the largest component of a newspaper's total
revenues. Advertising rates at newspapers, free circulars and TMC publications
are usually based on market size, circulation, penetration, demographics and
alternative advertising media available in the marketplace. Readers of
newspapers tend to be more highly educated and have higher incomes than
non-newspaper readers, making the newspaper industry very appealing to
advertisers attempting to reach this demographic group. The Company believes
that newspapers are the most effective medium for retail advertising, which
emphasizes the price of goods, in contrast to broadcast and cable television,
which are generally used for image advertising, or radio, which is usually used
to recall images or brands in the minds of listeners. The Company also believes
that metropolitan and community newspapers represent the dominant medium for
local advertising due to the importance of the information such newspapers
contain in the communities they serve. While circulation revenue is not as
significant as advertising revenue, circulation trends can affect the decisions
of advertisers and advertising rates.
Newspaper advertising revenues are cyclical and are generally affected
by changes in national and regional economic conditions. Classified advertising
is the most sensitive to economic cycles because it is driven primarily by the
demand for employment, real estate transactions and automotive sales.
OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
Local Market Focus. As a result of the Company's strategic focus on
local content that emphasizes local names and faces; including youth sports,
community events, business, politics and entertainment, the Company believes
that its newspapers generate reader loyalty, perpetuate their franchise value
and represent the most effective means for local advertisers to reach potential
customers. Each of the Company's publications is tailored to its market to
provide local content that radio, television and large metropolitan newspapers
are generally unable to provide on a cost-effective basis because of their
broader geographic coverage. The Company's publications have several advantages
over metropolitan daily publications, including a lower cost structure, the
ability to publish only on their most profitable days (e.g., midweek and one
weekend day) and the ability to limit expensive investments in wire services and
syndicated feature material. In addition, the Company has relatively low
exposure to fluctuations in newsprint prices due to much lower page counts than
large metropolitan newspapers, with newsprint expense related to its
publications comprising 5% of its total advertising and circulation revenues in
2003.
Approximately 74% of the Company's advertising revenues were derived
from display advertising in 2003 from a broad base of local advertisers. The
Company believes that local display advertising revenues at its publications
tend to be more stable than the advertising revenues of large metropolitan
newspapers because local businesses generally have fewer effective advertising
channels through which to reach their customers. The Company also is
significantly less reliant than large metropolitan newspapers upon classified
advertising, particularly "help wanted," real estate and automotive sections,
and national advertising, which are generally more sensitive to economic
conditions.
Strategic Regional Clustering And Strict Cost Controls. The Company has
acquired and assembled a network of strategically clustered newspapers in
geographically diverse regions. Strategic clustering enables it to realize
operating efficiencies and economic synergies, such as the sharing of
management, accounting and production
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functions within clusters. The Company believes that strategic clustering
enables its newspapers to generate higher operating margins than they would
otherwise be able to achieve on a stand-alone basis. In addition, the Company
has increased operating cash flows at acquired and existing newspapers through
cost reductions, including labor, page width and page count reductions, as well
as the implementation of revenue-generation and expense-control best practices
throughout the Company.
Business Strategy. The Company continuously seeks to utilize its
dominant distribution capability in the markets the Company serves to expand its
advertising base by targeting new advertisers for its local newspapers and
related publications and introducing new products that attract businesses that
do not typically advertise in its newspapers. These products include shopping
and visitors' guides and niche publications and inserts covering subjects such
as children and parenting, employment, health, senior living and real estate,
that are of interest to residents of particular geographic areas and members of
particular demographic groups. In addition, the Company shares advertising
concepts throughout its network of publications, enabling its advertising
managers and publishers to implement advertising products and sales strategies
that have already been successful in other markets that the Company serves.
The Company also seeks to continue to improve margins through strategic
regional clustering and strict cost controls. The Company has achieved
significant operating efficiencies within its network of strategically clustered
publications, and the Company believes that, as the Company continues to acquire
and integrate additional publications into its network, the Company will be able
to realize incremental operating efficiencies and synergies that will position
it to continue to improve its operating margins. The Company intends to continue
to focus on controlling costs, with a particular emphasis on managing staffing
requirements, leveraging production equipment to improve operating efficiencies
and reducing newsprint consumption.
STRATEGIC REGIONAL CLUSTERS
The Company has acquired, and intends to continue to acquire, community
publications that the Company can integrate into its network of existing
clusters or that can serve as the basis for creating new clusters. Strategic
clustering of its publications enables the Company to realize operating
efficiencies and economic synergies, such as the sharing of management,
accounting and production functions within clusters. Strategic clustering also
enables it to maximize revenues through the cross-selling of advertising among
contiguous newspaper markets. As a result of strategic clustering, the Company
believes that its newspapers are able to obtain higher operating margins than
they would otherwise be able to achieve on a stand-alone basis.
The following chart sets forth information for the Company's
publications by strategic regional clusters as of December 31, 2003. For
purposes of the chart, clusters consist of five or more publications within a
reasonably close proximity to each other.
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NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
--------------------------------------------------------
FREE
PAID PAID CIRCULATION/TMC
STRATEGIC REGIONAL CLUSTERS DAILY NON-DAILY PUBLICATIONS TOTAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Baton Rouge region (Louisiana)............................... 0 4 3 7
Grand Forks region (North Dakota/Minnesota).................. 2 2 2 6
Honesdale region (Pennsylvania).............................. 1 2 2 5
Iowa......................................................... 1 4 4 9
Kansas City region (Kansas).................................. 2 3 2 7
Lake of the Ozarks region (Missouri)......................... 3 4 9 16
Northern Missouri............................................ 5 1 6 12
Southern Illinois............................................ 6 9 5 20
Southern Michigan............................................ 3 5 7 15
Southwestern Louisiana....................................... 3 1 2 6
Southwestern Minnesota....................................... 0 7 4 11
Southwestern Missouri........................................ 2 3 6 11
Southwestern New York/Northwestern Pennsylvania.............. 4 3 12 19
Suburban Chicago............................................. 0 38 0 38
*Twin Falls region (Idaho)................................... 2 6 2 10
Western Illinois............................................. 5 6 8 19
Wichita region (Kansas)...................................... 6 4 7 17
- --------------------
* On February 3, 2004, the Company acquired the daily newspapers in Corning, New
York, and Freeport, Illinois and received cash consideration from Lee
Enterprises, Inc. in exchange for the Company's daily newspapers in Elko, Nevada
and Burley, Idaho, as well as its weeklies in Hailey, Idaho and Jerome, Idaho
(which comprised all of the Twin Falls region).
In 2003, no single strategic regional cluster contributed more than 15% of the
Company's total revenues.
ADVERTISING
Advertising revenue is the largest component of the Company's total
revenues, accounting for approximately 75.8%, 76.2% and 76.2% of its total
revenues in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The Company derives its
advertising revenues from display (local department stores, local accounts at
national department stores, specialty shops and other retailers), national
(national advertising accounts) and classified advertising (employment,
automotive, real estate and personals). Its advertising rate structures vary
among its publications and are a function of various factors, including local
market conditions, competition, circulation, readership and demographics.
Substantially all of the Company's advertising revenues are derived
from a diverse group of local retailers and classified advertisers. The Company
does not rely upon any one company or industry for its advertising revenues. The
Company believes, based upon its operating experience, that its advertising
revenues tend to be more stable than the advertising revenues of large
metropolitan newspapers because its publications rely primarily on local
advertising. Local advertising has historically been more stable than national
advertising because local businesses generally have fewer effective advertising
channels through which to reach their customers. Moreover, the Company is less
reliant than large metropolitan newspapers upon classified advertising,
particularly "help wanted," real estate and automotive sections, and national
advertising, which are generally more sensitive to economic conditions. The
contribution of display, classified and national advertising to its total
advertising revenues for fiscal years 2001, 2002 and 2003 were as follows:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Display........................ 73.0% 73.9% 74.4%
Classified..................... 24.6 23.5 22.9
National....................... 2.4 2.6 2.7
------ ------ ------
Total advertising revenues.. 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
The Company's corporate management works with its local newspaper
management to approve advertising rates and with the advertising staff of each
local newspaper to develop
4
marketing kits and presentations. A portion of its publishers' compensation is
based upon increased advertising revenues. In addition, the Company shares
advertising concepts throughout its network of publications, enabling its
advertising managers and publishers to leverage advertising products and sales
strategies that have already been successful in other markets that the Company
serves.
CIRCULATION
While the Company's circulation revenue is not as significant as its
advertising revenue, circulation trends impact the decisions of advertisers and
advertising rates. Substantially all of its circulation revenues are derived
from home delivery sales of publications to subscribers and single copy sales
made through retailers and vending racks. In order to enhance its circulation
revenues and circulation trends, the Company has implemented quality
enhancements, such as: upgrading and expanding printing facilities and printing
presses; increasing the use of color and color photographs; improving graphic
design, including complete redesigns; developing creative and interactive
promotional campaigns and converting selected newspapers from afternoon to
morning publication.
Circulation revenue accounted for approximately 17.0%, 17.3% and 17.3%
of its total revenues in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The vast majority of
2003 circulation revenues were derived from subscription sales. The Company owns
and operates 65 paid daily publications that range in circulation from
approximately 1,000 to 15,500, and 127 paid non-daily publications that range in
circulation from approximately 100 to 27,200. The Company's corporate management
works with its local newspaper management to establish subscription and single
copy rates. The Company also implements creative and interactive marketing
programs and promotions to increase readership through both subscription and
single copy sales.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
All of the Company's daily publications and certain of its weekly
publications have their own free-access websites. The Company's websites have a
consistent format and provide a selection of local and other news together with
classified advertising, feature articles and details of local events and
activities. The Company has also been able to expand the reach of its classified
advertisements, and increase its advertising revenues, by placing advertisements
on-line as well as in the newspapers. The Company believes that its ability to
self-promote its websites in its printed newspapers as internet portals for the
community and its focus on local content limits the competitive threat to its
core newspaper business from new media businesses.
EDITORIAL
The Company's local paid daily and non-daily newspapers generally
contain 8 to 14 pages with editorial content that emphasizes local news and
topics of interest to the communities that they serve, such as local business,
politics, entertainment and culture, as well as local youth, high school,
college and professional sports. National and world news stories are sourced
from the Associated Press. The Company's free circulation and TMC publications
are typically used as a vehicle for delivering pre-printed content and range
from limited to no editorial content.
The editorial staff at each of its newspapers typically consists of a
managing editor and several assistant editors and field reporters, who identify
and report the local news in their communities. As of December 31, 2003, the
Company employed approximately 500 full-time editorial personnel and
approximately 100 part-time editorial personnel that the Company believes
provide the most comprehensive local news coverage in the communities the
Company serves.
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company operates 49 printing and distribution facilities, including
31 facilities within its 17 strategic regional clusters. The production
resources located within each cluster are shared by the publications produced in
each region. On average, each of the Company's printing and distribution
facilities is responsible for producing six publications. To the extent the
Company has excess press capacity at these facilities, the Company provides
commercial printing services to third parties, primarily other publishers who do
not have a printing press, on a competitive bid basis. The Company also prints
other commercial materials, including business cards and
5
invitations, to produce incremental revenue from existing equipment and
personnel. Job printing and other revenue accounted for approximately 7.2%, 6.5%
and 6.4% of the Company's total revenues in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.
The Company's newspapers are generally fully paginated utilizing
image-setter technology, which allows for design flexibility and high-quality
reproduction of color graphics. By clustering its production resources, the
Company is able to reduce the operating costs of its newspapers while increasing
the quality of its small market newspapers that might not typically otherwise
have access to higher quality production facilities. Its consolidated printing
and distribution facilities are generally located within 60 miles of its
newspapers.
The distribution of the Company's daily newspapers is typically
outsourced to independent, third-party distributors, who also distribute a
majority of its weekly and periodic publications. These distributors generally
are independent and locally based within each cluster. Some of the Company's TMC
publications and weekly publications are also delivered via U.S. mail.
NEWSPRINT
Newsprint represents one of the Company's largest costs of producing
newspapers. The Company has no long-term contracts to purchase newsprint. Its
newspapers purchase a portion of their newsprint directly from paper mills and
also make opportunistic spot market purchases within their geographic regions.
The Company believes that its purchasing policies have resulted in its
publications obtaining favorable newsprint prices. The Company incurred
newsprint expense related to its publications of approximately $12.6 million,
$9.1 million and $9.3 million in 2001, 2002, and 2003, respectively, net of
newsprint consumed by six related publications whose assets were sold on January
7, 2002. The Company has relatively low exposure to fluctuations in newsprint
prices due to much lower page counts than large metropolitan newspapers.
Newsprint expense related to its publications as a percentage of its total
advertising and circulation revenues for 2001, 2002 and 2003 was 7.0%, 5.0% and
5.2%, respectively, net of newsprint consumed by six related publications whose
assets were sold on January 7, 2002. The Company also incurred newsprint expense
related to job printing and other revenues of approximately $4.5 million, $3.0
million and $2.8 million in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.
Historically, the price of newsprint has been cyclical and volatile,
reaching approximately $682 per short ton in 1996 and as low as $409 per short
ton in 1993. The average price of newsprint for December 2003, as reported by
Pulp & Paper Week, was approximately $481 per short ton, compared to
approximately $436 per short ton in December 2002. The Company seeks to manage
the effects of increases in prices of newsprint through a combination of
technology improvements, page width and page count reductions, inventory
management and advertising and circulation price increases.
SEASONALITY
The Company's revenues, like those of other newspaper companies, tend
to follow a distinct and recurring seasonal pattern, with high advertising
revenues in months containing significant events or holidays. Accordingly, due
to fewer holidays and more inclement weather as compared to other quarters, the
Company's first fiscal quarter is historically its weakest revenue quarter of
the year. Correspondingly, the Company's fourth fiscal quarter is historically
its strongest revenue quarter because it includes heavy holiday season
advertising. The Company expects that seasonal fluctuations will continue to
affect its results of operations in future periods.
COMPETITION
Each of the Company's newspapers competes to varying degrees for
advertising and circulation revenue with local, regional and national
newspapers, shoppers, magazines, radio, broadcast and cable television, direct
mail, the internet and other media sources. Competition for newspaper
advertising revenues is based largely on advertising results, advertising rates,
readership demographics and circulation levels. Competition for circulation
revenue is generally based on the content of the newspaper, its price and
editorial quality.
The Company's newspapers are the dominant sources for local news,
announcements and other information of interest to the communities that the
Company serves. Its publications generally have strong name recognition in their
markets and face limited competition as a result of operating in markets that
are distantly located from large
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metropolitan areas and that can support only one primary newspaper, with the
exception of its publications in the Chicago suburban market. However, as with
most suburban and smaller daily newspapers, some circulation competition exists
from large daily newspapers published in nearby metropolitan areas. The Company
believes that these larger newspapers generally do not compete in a meaningful
way for local advertising revenues. The Company provides its readers with
community-specific content, which is generally not available on a consistent
basis in nearby metropolitan newspapers. Local advertisers, especially
businesses located within a small community, typically target advertising
towards customers living or working within their own communities. The Company
believes that its daily newspapers generally capture the largest share of local
advertising as a result of its direct and focused coverage of the market and its
cost-effective advertising rates relative to the more broadly circulated
metropolitan newspapers.
Although alternative media may be available, the Company believes that
local advertisers generally regard newspapers and free circulation and TMC
publications as the most cost-effective method of advertising time-sensitive
promotions and price-specific advertisements, as compared with broadcast and
cable television, which are generally used to advertise image, or radio, which
is usually used to recall images or brands in the minds of listeners. The
Company has, however, over the past several years faced increased competition
for classified advertising from online advertising as the use of the internet
has increased. From time to time, the Company competes with companies that are
larger and/or have greater financial and distribution resources than the Company
does.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2003, the Company employs approximately 2,200
full-time employees and approximately 1,200 part-time employees. Approximately
3% of such employees belong to labor unions. The Company has not experienced a
strike or work stoppage at any of its newspapers during the past five years, and
considers its relations with its employees to be good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company has 153 operating and production facilities for its
publications in the United States. The Company owns 108 of these facilities and
leases the remaining 45 for terms ranging from one to five years. These
facilities range in size from approximately 1,000 to 55,000 square feet. The
Company's executive offices are located in Northbrook, Illinois, where the
Company leases approximately 4,900 square feet under a lease terminating in
2006. The Company does not believe any individual property is material to its
financial condition or results of operations. The Company believes that its
current facilities are in good condition and are suitable and adequate for the
purposes for which they are used.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved from time to time in legal proceedings relating
to claims arising out of its operations in the ordinary course of business. The
Company is not party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of
management, is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on its
business, financial condition or cash flows.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
7
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION AND HOLDERS
There is no public market for the Company's Common Stock. As set forth
in Item 12, "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters," 1,964,605 shares of Common Stock (91% of the total
shares outstanding) are owned by Green Equity Investors II, L.P. ("GEI II") and
Green Equity Investors III, L.P. ("GEI III"). The remaining shares of the Common
Stock are owned by certain officers and other management personnel of the
Company. As of March 30, 2004, there were 13 holders of Common Stock.
DIVIDENDS
LGP is subject to certain covenants that limit its ability to pay
dividends and make other restricted payments. LGP has never paid a cash dividend
and does not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See Item 7,
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR
NUMBER OF SECURITIES TO BE FUTURE ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF WEIGHTED-AVERAGE EXERCISE COMPENSATION PLANS
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, PRICE OF OUTSTANDING (EXCLUDING SECURITIES
PLAN CATEGORY WARRANTS AND RIGHTS OPTIONS, WARRANTS AND RIGHTS REFLECTED IN FIRST COLUMN)
- --------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------- -----------------------------
Equity compensation plans
approved by security
holders.............. 23,425 $ 5.49 26,055
Equity compensation plans
not approved by
security holders..... -- -- --
------- ------- ------
Total.................... 23,425 $ 5.49 26,055
======= ======= ======
There were no stock option grants during 2003. See Footnote 17 "Stock Option
Plan" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further
discussion.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical financial data of
the Company. During January 2002, the Company disposed of the assets of six
related publications that the Company acquired in 1999 and, accordingly, the
historical operating results of these publications have been reclassified and
presented below as a discontinued operation. Certain amounts in the prior year's
consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2003
presentation. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and with Item 7.
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
8
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Advertising............................... $ 120,315 $ 145,787 $ 147,977 $ 146,918 $ 143,958
Circulation............................... 27,052 30,329 33,228 33,353 32,731
Job printing and other.................... 12,309 11,887 13,995 12,560 12,145
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues............................... 159,676 188,003 195,200 192,831 188,834
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs........................... 76,179 90,541 98,607 90,390 89,807
Selling, general and administrative....... 42,689 52,799 53,764 53,201 54,018
Depreciation and amortization(1).......... 16,496 19,193 21,315 17,027 13,912
Loss on sale of assets.................... -- -- -- 325 104
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations............ 24,312 25,470 21,514 31,888 30,993
Interest expense - debt..................... 30,818 38,412 38,348 33,236 32,433
Interest expense - dividends on
mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock(3).................................. -- -- -- -- 13,206
Interest expense - amortization of
deferred financing costs.................. 1,495 1,817 2,362 2,271 1,810
Impairment of other assets................... -- -- -- 223 --
Net gain on exchange and disposition of
properties................................ 6,197 -- -- -- --
Write-off of deferred financing costs........ -- -- -- -- 161
Write-off of deferred offering costs......... -- -- -- -- 1,935
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from continuing operations before
income taxes, extraordinary
item and cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle................... (1,804) (14,759) (19,196) (3,842) (18,552)
Income tax expense (benefit)................. 295 491 2,004 1,648 (4,388)
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from continuing operations
before extraordinary item and
cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle...................... (2,099) (15,250) (21,200) (5,490) (14,164)
Income from discontinued operations,
net of tax................................ 513 1,817 1,508 4,269 --
Extraordinary gain on insurance
proceeds.................................. 485 -- -- -- --
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax.......... -- -- -- (1,449) --
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss..................................... (1,101) (13,433) (19,692) (2,670) (14,164)
Dividends on mandatorily redeemable
preferred stock........................... (13,595) (17,018) (19,989) (22,622) (12,409)
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss available
to common stockholders.................... $ (14,696) $ (30,451) $ (39,681) $ (25,292) $ (26,573)
========== ========== =========== =========== ===========
Basic and diluted weighted-average
shares outstanding........................ 1,595,923 1,964,876 2,171,381 2,158,833 2,158,833
Loss from continuing operations
before accounting change and
extraordinary gain........................ $ (9.83) $ (16.42) $ (18.97) $ (13.02) $ (12.31)
Net loss available to common
stockholders per share.................... $ (9.21) $ (15.50) $ (18.27) $ (11.71) $ (12.31)
========== ========== =========== =========== ===========
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS DATA:
Capital expenditures......................... $ 5,687 $ 9,654 $ 2,715 $ 2,496 $ 2,249
Net cash provided by
operating activities...................... 8,499 15,734 12,925 24,224 20,701
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities...................... (60,509) (92,092) (3,330) 23,954 (3,735)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities...................... 52,845 75,535 (9,157) (47,956) (16,626)
OTHER DATA (UNAUDITED):
EBITDA(2).................................... $ 48,003 $ 46,480 $ 44,337 $ 51,512 $ 42,809
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(4)........ 0.94 0.63 0.53 0.89 0.61
9
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents .............................. $ 1,860 $ 1,036 $ 1,474 $ 1,696 $ 2,036
Total assets ........................................... 479,160 563,501 543,902 506,325 492,349
Total long-term obligations including current
maturities (excluding deferred income taxes)(3)...... 344,231 402,746 402,689 364,153 582,241
Total mandatorily redeemable
preferred stock(3) ................................. 118,747 158,080 178,080 200,690 --
Stockholders' deficit .................................. (25,087) (48,026) (87,661) (112,936) (139,492)
- ----------------------------
(1) On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,"
which replaces the requirement to amortize intangible assets with indefinite
lives and goodwill with a requirement for an annual impairment test. SFAS No.
142 also establishes requirements for identifiable intangible assets. The
transition provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that the useful lives of
previously recognized intangible assets be reassessed and the remaining
amortization periods adjusted accordingly. Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 142,
advertiser and subscriber relationship intangible assets were amortized over
estimated remaining useful lives of 40 and 33 years, respectively. The Company
concluded that, based upon current economic conditions and its current pricing
strategies, the remaining useful lives as of January 1, 2002 for advertiser and
subscriber relationship intangible assets were 30 and 20 years, respectively,
and the amortization periods have been adjusted accordingly. Customer
relationships unrelated to newspapers are amortized over 10 years. Non-compete
agreements are amortized over periods of up to 10 years depending on the
specifics of the agreement.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company amortized goodwill
and mastheads over 40 years. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company ceased
amortization of goodwill. The amortization of mastheads was also discontinued
because it was determined that the useful life of the mastheads is indefinite.
The Company assesses impairment of goodwill and mastheads by using
multiples of recent and projected revenues and EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for individual or strategic regional
clusters of properties to determine the fair value of the properties and deducts
the fair value of assets other than goodwill and mastheads to arrive at the fair
value of goodwill and mastheads. This amount is then compared to the carrying
value of goodwill and mastheads to determine if any impairment has occurred. The
multiples of revenue and EBITDA used to determine fair value are based on the
Company's experience in acquiring and selling properties and multiples reflected
in the purchase prices of recent sales transactions of newspaper properties
similar to those it owns.
(2) EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization as shown in the table below. EBITDA is not a measurement of
financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, or GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or
as an alternative to income from operations, net income (loss), cash flows from
operating activities or any other measure of performance or liquidity derived in
accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is presented because the Company believes it is an
indicative measure of the Company's operating performance and its ability to
meet its debt service requirements and is used by investors and analysts to
evaluate companies in its industry as a supplement to GAAP measures.
Not all companies calculate EBITDA using the same methods; therefore,
the EBITDA figures set forth herein may not be comparable to EBITDA reported by
other companies. A substantial portion of the Company's EBITDA must be dedicated
to the payment of interest on its outstanding indebtedness and to service other
commitments, thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other
purposes. Accordingly, EBITDA does not represent an amount of funds that is
available for management's discretionary use.
The Company believes that net loss is the financial measure calculated
and presented in accordance with GAAP that is most directly comparable to
EBITDA. The following table reconciles net loss to EBITDA for the years ended
December 31, 1999 - 2003.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS)
Net loss................................. $ (1,101) $ (13,433) $ (19,692) $ (2,670) $ (14,164)
Depreciation and amortization ... 16,496 19,193 21,315 17,027 13,912
Interest expense ................ 32,313 40,229 40,710 35,507 47,449
Income tax expense (benefit) .... 295 491 2,004 1,648 (4,388)
---------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
EBITDA........................ $ 48,003 $ 46,480 $ 44,337 $ 51,512 $ 42,809
========== ========= ========= ======== =========
(3) On May 15, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 150, "Accounting for
Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and
Equity." SFAS No. 150 requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in
some circumstances) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that
embody obligations for the issuer. Generally, SFAS No. 150 is effective for
financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is
otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after
June 15, 2003. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150 on July 1,
2003. Accordingly, the Company's mandatorily redeemable preferred stock has been
classified as a liability on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2003. The
$7,417 and $5,789 of dividends on the Senior Preferred Stock and Junior
Preferred
10
Stock, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2003 have been
classified as additional interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2003.
In the periods prior to July 1, 2003, dividends on Senior Preferred Stock and
Junior Preferred Stock were reported as an adjustment to net loss to arrive at
net loss available to common stockholders.
(4) See Exhibit 12 included herewith.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Company's mission is to be the leading local news source in the
communities it serves, to provide the most effective means for local advertisers
to reach their potential customers and to create shareholder value. In order to
achieve its long-term objectives, the Company focuses on generating reader and
employee loyalty, expanding local advertising bases and improving margins
through regional clustering and strict cost control measures.
The Company primarily generates revenues from advertising, circulation
and job printing. Advertising revenue is recognized upon publication of the
advertisements. Circulation revenue, which is billed to customers at the
beginning of the subscription period, is recognized on a straight-line basis
over the term of the related subscription. The revenue for job printing is
recognized upon delivery. The Company's operating costs consist primarily of
newsprint, labor and delivery costs. The Company's selling general and
administrative expenses consist primarily of labor costs.
The Company's long-term strategy is pursued with a portfolio of
properties that serve its customers in print and online. As of December 31,
2003, properties outside the metropolitan areas, also referred to as the
community markets, represented 87% of the Company's 301 publications, while the
group of publications in the western suburbs of Chicago, also referred to as the
Chicago suburban market, accounted for 13% of its publications.
The community market consists of 65 paid daily newspapers, 89 paid
non-daily newspapers and 109 free circulation and "total market coverage," or
TMC, publications. The Company has publications in the community markets of 17
states. In 2003, approximately 76% of the community market's revenues were
derived from advertising. Of this amount, approximately 61% and 19% resulted
from display and classified advertising, respectively. In 2003, approximately
19% of the community market's revenues were from circulation, while the
remainder was derived from job printing and other revenues.
The Chicago suburban market consists of 38 paid non-daily newspapers
situated in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2003, approximately 79% of the
Chicago suburban market's revenues were derived from advertising. Of this
amount, approximately 50% and 46% resulted from classified and display
advertising, respectively. In 2003, approximately 9% of the Chicago suburban
market's revenues were from circulation, while the remainder was derived from
job printing and other revenues.
The Company has not had any material acquisitions of publications since
December 2000 and did not acquire any publications in 2003. The Company did
acquire a printing facility from Midland Communications in 2003. See Note 2 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements. On February 3, 2004, the Company acquired
daily newspapers in Corning, New York and Freeport, Illinois (and received cash
consideration) from Lee Enterprises, Inc. in exchange for daily newspapers in
Elko, Nevada and Burley, Idaho and weekly newspapers in Hailey, Idaho and
Jerome, Idaho. The Company did not have any dispositions in 2003. On January 7,
2002, the Company disposed of the assets of six related publications (acquired
in 1999) in one transaction for proceeds of $26.5 million (the "Disposition").
11
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth for the years indicated certain revenue
and expense items expressed as a percentage of total revenues.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
REVENUES:
Advertising ........................................ 75.8% 76.2% 76.3%
Circulation ........................................ 17.0 17.3 17.3
Job printing and other ............................. 7.2 6.5 6.4
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues ........................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs .................................... 50.5 46.9 47.5
Selling, general and administrative ................ 27.6 27.6 28.6
Depreciation and amortization ...................... 10.9 8.8 7.4
Loss on sale of assets ............................. -- 0.2 0.1
---------- ---------- ----------
Income from continuing operations ..................... 11.0 16.5 16.4
Interest expense - debt ............................... 19.6 17.2 17.2
Interest expense - dividends on mandatorily redeemable
preferred stock ..................................... -- -- 7.0
Interest expense - amortization of deferred financing
costs ............................................... 1.2 1.2 0.9
Write-off of deferred financing costs ................. -- -- 0.1
Write-off of deferred offering costs .................. -- -- 1.0
Impairment of other assets ............................ -- 0.1 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from continuing operations before
income taxes and cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle ............................ (9.8) (2.0) (9.8)
Income tax expense (benefit) .......................... 1.0 0.8 (2.3)
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from continuing operations before
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (10.8) (2.8) (7.5)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax ....... 0.7 2.2 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle ............................ (10.1) (0.6) (7.5)
Cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle, net of tax ................ -- (0.8) --
---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss .............................................. (10.1)% (1.4)% (7.5)%
---------- ---------- ----------
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
Total Revenues. Total revenues for 2003 decreased by $4.0 million, or 2.1%, to
$188.8 million from $192.8 million for 2002. The decrease in total revenues was
comprised of a $3.0 million, or 2.0%, decrease in advertising revenues, a $0.6
million, or 1.9%, decrease in circulation revenue, and a $0.4 million, or 3.3%,
decrease in job printing and other revenue. In the Company's community newspaper
markets, advertising revenues decreased by $0.6 million, primarily due to lower
local display advertising of $0.9 million and lower classifieds of $0.5 million,
partially offset by increases in display advertising of $0.7 million. Outside of
the community newspaper markets, the Company's advertising revenues declined by
$1.6 million, primarily due to lower classified advertising revenue of $1.0
million and lower display of $0.6 million. Total revenues also decreased due to
a reduction in non-newspaper revenues of $0.8 million. The decrease in
circulation revenue resulted primarily from a reduction in subscriber levels in
certain community markets. The decrease in job printing and other revenue was
primarily due to lower commercial volume in the community and Chicago suburban
market.
Operating Costs. Operating costs for 2003 were $89.8 million, or 47.5%
of total revenues, which was a decrease of $0.6 million from 2002, when
operating costs were $90.4 million, or 46.9% of total revenues. This decrease
was primarily due to reductions in labor of $0.3 million, external services of
$0.2 million, and newsprint costs of $0.1 million.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for 2003 increased by $0.8 million to $54.0 million, or
28.6% of total revenues, from $53.2 million for 2002 when selling, general and
administrative expenses were 27.6% of total revenues. The increase was primarily
due to higher labor and bad debt expense of $0.2 million each and higher
advertising and insurance costs of $0.1 million each.
12
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
for 2003 decreased by $3.1 million to $13.9 million from $17.0 million for 2002.
For 2003, the Company recorded $9.1 million in amortization of intangible
assets, compared with $11.9 million for the prior year. The decrease in
amortization is primarily due to a decrease in non-compete intangible
amortization of $2.8 million resulting from certain non-compete assets that are
now fully amortized.
Income from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
for 2003, decreased by $0.9 million, or 2.8%, to $31.0 million from $31.9
million for 2002. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues of $4.0
million and higher selling, general and administrative expense of $0.8 million,
partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization expense of $3.1 million
and lower operating costs of $0.6 million.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for 2003 increased by $12.0 million
to $47.5 million from $35.5 million for 2002. The increase in interest expense
was due primarily to the classification of $13.2 million of dividends on
mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as additional interest expense during
2003, partially offset by lower interest rates and less outstanding indebtedness
during 2003 as compared to 2002.
Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs. As of March 31, 2003, the
Company incurred $0.2 million in legal and bank fees associated with a proposed
amendment to its Amended Credit Facility (as defined below). On March 31, 2003,
the Company wrote off these costs because the Company postponed amending its
Amended Credit Facility.
Write-off of Deferred Offering Costs. On June 3, 2002, LGP filed a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-2
with respect to an initial public offering of Common Stock. As of March 31,
2003, LGP had incurred $2.1 million in legal and other professional fees
associated with its proposed initial public offering that had been capitalized
as deferred offering costs. On March 31, 2003, LGP wrote off these costs because
LGP decided to postpone its proposed initial public offering. At December 31,
2003, the Company revised its estimate of costs incurred relating to the
postponed initial public offering to $1.9 million.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for 2003 was $(4.4)
million compared to income tax expense of $1.6 million for 2002. The change
between years is primarily due to a $5.2 million decrease in the Company's
valuation allowance during 2003 based on the Company's assessment of the
ultimate realizability of its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2003.
Income from Discontinued Operations. The Company disposed of the assets
of six related publications (acquired in 1999) in one transaction on January 7,
2002 for $26.5 million (the "Disposition"). The net book value of the assets was
$19.4 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $7.0 million, or a gain of $4.3
million, net of the related tax effect of $2.7 million. As a result of the sale,
the Disposition has been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Discontinued
operations for 2002 consisted solely of the gain on the sale of the
publications.
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle. Pursuant to the
adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company performed an initial impairment test of
its properties in the first quarter of 2002. As a result of this test, the
Company determined that the fair values of five properties were less than the
net book value of the Company's goodwill and mastheads for such properties on
January 1, 2002. As a result, an after-tax goodwill and masthead impairment loss
of $1.4 million, or $2.4 million pre-tax, was recorded in 2002 as a cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle. The Company performed an impairment
test at the end of 2002 and 2003, which indicated that no additional impairment
needed to be recorded. The Company will perform its next impairment test at the
end of 2004.
Net Loss. For 2003, the Company recognized a net loss of $(14.2)
million compared to a net loss of $(2.7) million for 2002. The increase in net
loss was primarily attributable to a decrease in income from continuing
operations of $0.9 million, the inclusion of $13.2 million of dividends on
mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as additional interest expense in
accordance with SFAS No. 150, a write-off of deferred financing costs of $0.2
million and a write-off of deferred offering costs of $1.9 million, partially
offset by lower other interest expense of $1.3 million and lower income tax
expense of $6.0 million. The increase in net loss was further attributable to
the inclusion in 2002 of the after-tax gain of $4.3 million on the Disposition,
partially offset by the inclusion in 2002 of both the cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle related to goodwill and masthead impairment
losses in the amount of $1.5 million and the impairment of other assets of $0.2
million.
13
EBITDA. EBITDA, (which is defined as earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization) for 2003 decreased by $8.7 million, or 16.9%, to
$42.8 million from $51.5 million for 2002. The decrease was primarily due to
lower revenues of $4.0 million, a write-off of deferred financing costs of $0.2
million, a write-off of deferred offering costs of $2.1 million and higher
selling, general and administration costs of $0.8 million, partially offset by
lower operating costs of $0.6 million and a lower loss on sale of assets of $0.2
million. The decrease in EBITDA was further attributable to the inclusion in
2002 of an after-tax gain of $4.3 million on the Disposition, partially offset
by the inclusion in 2002 of both cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle related to goodwill and masthead impairment losses of $1.5 million and
the impairment of other assets of $0.2 million. EBITDA is not a measurement of
financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, or GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or
as an alternative to income from operations, net income (loss), cash flows from
operating activities or any other measure of performance or liquidity derived in
accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is presented because the Company believes it is an
indicative measure of the Company's operating performance and its ability to
meet its debt service requirements and is used by investors and analysts to
evaluate companies in its industry as a supplement to GAAP measures.
Not all companies calculate EBITDA using the same methods; therefore,
the EBITDA figures set forth herein may not be comparable to EBITDA reported by
other companies. A substantial portion of the Company's EBITDA must be dedicated
to the payment of interest on its outstanding indebtedness and to service other
commitments, thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other
purposes. Accordingly, EBITDA does not represent an amount of funds that is
available for management's discretionary use.
The Company believes that net loss is the financial measure calculated
and presented in accordance with GAAP that is most directly comparable to
EBITDA. The following table reconciles net loss to EBITDA.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS)
Net loss .............................................. $ (19,692) $ (2,670) $ (14,164)
Depreciation and amortization ................. 21,315 17,027 13,912
Interest expense .............................. 40,710 35,507 47,450
Income tax expense (benefit) .................. 2,004 1,648 (4,388)
---------- --------- ---------
EBITDA ..................................... $ 44,337 $ 51,512 $ 42,809
========== ========= =========
Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
Total Revenues. Total revenues for 2002 decreased by $2.4 million, or
1.2%, to $192.8 million. The decrease in total revenues for 2002 was comprised
of a $1.1 million, or 0.7%, decrease in advertising revenue, a $0.1 million, or
0.4%, increase in circulation revenue and a $1.4 million, or 10.3%, decrease in
job printing and other revenue. The advertising and printing revenue decrease
was primarily driven by a decrease in classified recruitment and printing
revenues of $2.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in the Chicago suburban
market, as well as the discontinuation of two lower margin print jobs in the
Company's community markets, partially offset by an increase in preprint and
national advertising revenues of $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Operating Costs. Operating costs for 2002 were $90.4 million, or 46.9%
of total revenues, which was a decrease of $8.2 million from 2001, when
operating costs were $98.6 million, or 50.5% of total revenues. This decrease
was primarily due to a decrease in newsprint costs of $5.0 million, delivery
costs of $1.1 million and labor costs of $1.5 million resulting from a reduction
in operating staff.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for 2002 decreased by $0.6 million to $53.2 million, or
27.6% of total revenues, from $53.8 million for 2001 when selling, general and
administrative expenses were 27.6% of total revenues. The decrease was primarily
due to a decrease in labor costs of $1.6 million resulting from reductions in
administrative staff, partially offset by higher performance-based incentive
compensation of $1.4 million.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
for 2002 decreased by $4.3 million to $17.0 million from $21.3 million for 2001
as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002. For
14
2002, the Company recorded $11.9 million in amortization of intangible assets
compared with $15.3 million for 2001. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company
ceased amortization of goodwill. The Company also ceased amortization of its
mastheads because it determined that the useful life of its mastheads was
indefinite. Had SFAS No. 142 been adopted on January 1, 2001, income from
continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle for 2001 would have been increased by $5.7 million had
goodwill and mastheads not been amortized and reduced by $1.9 million due to the
change in useful lives of advertiser and subscriber relationship intangible
assets.
Income from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
increased by $10.4 million from $21.5 million, or 11.0% of total revenues, for
2001 to $31.9 million, or 16.5% of total revenues, for 2002. The increase was
primarily driven by decreases in operating costs, selling, general and
administration expenses and amortization expense, partially offset by lower
revenues.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $5.2 million to $35.5
million for 2002 from $40.7 million for 2001. The decrease in interest expense
was due to lower interest rates and the reduction of indebtedness resulting from
the application of proceeds from the Disposition.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for 2002 decreased by $0.4
million, to $1.6 million from $2.0 million for 2001. The decrease in income tax
expense was due to lower deferred federal and lower current state and local
income tax expense.
Income from Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued
operations was $4.3 million for 2002 compared to $1.5 million for 2001. The
Disposition on January 7, 2002 resulted in a pre-tax gain of $7.0 million and an
after-tax gain of $4.3 million.
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle. Pursuant to the
adoption of SFAS No. 142, an initial impairment test of properties was performed
in the first quarter of 2002. As a result of this test, it was determined that
the fair values of five properties were less than the net book value of the
Company's goodwill and mastheads for such properties on January 1, 2002. As a
result, an after-tax goodwill and masthead impairment loss of $1.4 million, or
$2.4 million pre-tax, was recorded in 2002 as a cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle.
Net Loss. For 2002, the Company recognized a net loss of $(2.7) million
compared to a net loss of $(19.7) million for 2001. The $17.0 million decrease
in net loss was primarily attributable to an after-tax gain of $4.3 million on
the Disposition, lower amortization expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS
No. 142 and lower newsprint, labor, delivery and interest costs, partially
offset by lower revenues and the cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle related to goodwill and masthead impairment losses, as previously
discussed.
EBITDA. EBITDA for 2002 increased by $7.2 million, to $51.5 million,
from $44.3 million for 2001. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion in
2002 of an after-tax gain of $4.3 million on the Disposition, partially offset
by the inclusion in 2002 of both cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle related to goodwill and masthead impairment losses of $1.4 million and
the impairment of other assets of $0.2 million. The increase was also driven by
lower newsprint, delivery and labor costs, partially offset by lower revenues,
as discussed above. EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues increased from
22.7% to 26.7%. See " -- Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2002" for a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA for 2002 and 2001.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On February 3, 2004, the Company acquired the daily newspapers in
Corning, New York, and Freeport, Illinois and received cash consideration
from Lee Enterprises, Inc. in exchange for the Company's daily newspapers in
Elko, Nevada and Burley, Idaho, as well as its weeklies in Hailey, Idaho and
Jerome, Idaho. The transaction will be accounted for using the purchase method
of accounting. The purchase price will be allocated to the assets acquired and
the liabilities assumed according to their fair market values at the date of
acquisition. The results of operations will be included in the consolidated
financial statements from the date of acquisition.
15
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICY DISCLOSURE
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,"
which replaces the requirement to amortize intangible assets with indefinite
lives and goodwill with a requirement for an annual impairment test. SFAS No.
142 also establishes requirements for identifiable intangible assets. The
transition provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that the useful lives of
previously recognized intangible assets be reassessed and the remaining
amortization periods adjusted accordingly. Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 142,
advertiser and subscriber relationship intangible assets were amortized over
estimated remaining useful lives of 40 and 33 years, respectively. The Company
concluded that, based upon current economic conditions and its current pricing
strategies, the remaining useful lives as of January 1, 2002 for advertiser and
subscriber relationship intangible assets were 30 and 20 years, respectively,
and the amortization periods have been adjusted accordingly. Customer
relationships unrelated to newspapers are amortized over 10 years. Non-compete
agreements are amortized over periods of up to 10 years depending on the
specifics of the agreement.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company amortized goodwill
and mastheads over 40 years. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company ceased
amortization of goodwill. The amortization of mastheads was also discontinued
because it was determined that the useful life of the mastheads is indefinite.
The Company assesses impairment of goodwill and mastheads by using
multiples of recent and projected revenues and EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for individual or strategic regional
clusters of properties to determine the fair value of the properties and deducts
the fair value of assets other than goodwill and mastheads to arrive at the fair
value of goodwill and mastheads. This amount is then compared to the carrying
value of goodwill and mastheads to determine if any impairment has occurred. If
the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the Company will consider
whether a temporary or permanent impairment has occurred based on the specific
facts and circumstances associated with the individual, or strategic regional
cluster of, properties. The multiples of revenue and EBITDA used to determine
fair value are based on the Company's experience in acquiring and selling
properties and multiples reflected in the purchase prices of recent sales
transactions of newspaper properties similar to those it owns.
The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets." The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived
assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite lived intangible
assets, whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the
carrying amount of the assets, or related group of assets, may not be fully
recoverable. Factors leading to impairment include significant under performance
relative to expected historical or projected future operating losses,
significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy
for the Company's overall business, and significant negative industry or
economic trends. The assessment of recoverability is based on management's
estimate. If undiscounted future operating cash flows do not exceed the net book
value of the long-lived assets, then a permanent impairment has occurred. The
Company would record the difference between the net book value of the long-lived
asset and the fair value of such asset as a charge against income in the
consolidated statements of operations if such a difference arose.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating
activities for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased by $3.5 million to
$20.7 million compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $24.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease is primarily due to a
decrease in income from continuing operations before depreciation and
amortization of $4.0 million. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease
in working capital needs.
Cash flows from investing activities. Net cash used in investing
activities was $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to net
cash provided by investing activities of $24.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002. The decrease of $27.7 million in cash flows was primarily due
to the $26.5 million of proceeds
16
from the Disposition in 2002 and the acquisition of a printing facility from
Midland Communications for $2.5 million in 2003. For the year ended December 31,
2003, capital expenditures were $2.2 million, or 1.2% of revenues. The Company's
capital expenditures consisted of the purchase of machinery, equipment,
furniture and fixtures relating to its publishing operations. The Company has no
material commitments for capital expenditures. The Company will continue to
pursue its strategy of opportunistically acquiring community newspapers in
contiguous markets and new markets.
Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash used in financing
activities was $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to
net cash used in financing activities of $48.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002. The increase of $31.4 million in cash flows was primarily due
to a repayment during 2002 under LGO's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of April 18, 2000, as further amended, with a syndicate of financial
institutions led by Citibank, N.A., with Citicorp USA, Inc. as administrative
agent (the "Amended Credit Facility") using the Disposition proceeds of $26.5
million. The Company is subject to certain covenants that limit its ability to
pay cash dividends and make other restricted payments and does not expect to pay
cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Amended Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility provides for a
$100.0 million principal amount Term Loan B that matures in March 2007 and a
revolving credit facility with a $135.0 million aggregate commitment amount
available, including a $10.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit, that
matures in March 2005. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by a
first-priority security interest in substantially all of the tangible and
intangible assets of LGO, LGP and LGP's other present and future direct and
indirect subsidiaries. Additionally, the loans under the Amended Credit Facility
are guaranteed, subject to specified limitations, by LGP and all of the future
direct and indirect subsidiaries of LGO and LGP. The Company is required to
permanently reduce the Term Loan B and/or revolving commitment amount with
disposition proceeds in excess of $1.5 million if the proceeds are not
reinvested in Permitted Acquisitions (as defined under the Amended Credit
Facility) within 300 days of receipt of such proceeds.
The Term Loan B and the revolving credit facility bear interest, at
LGO's option, equal to the Alternate Base Rate for an ABR loan (as defined in
the Amended Credit Facility) or the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a eurodollar loan (as
defined in the Amended Credit Facility) plus an applicable margin. The
applicable margin is based on: (1) whether the loan is an ABR loan or eurodollar
loan; and (2) the ratio of (a) indebtedness of LGO and its subsidiaries that
requires interest to be paid in cash to (b) pro forma EBITDA for the 12-month
period then ended. The weighted average interest rate for the Amended Credit
Facility in 2003 was 4.8%. LGO also pays an annual fee equal to the applicable
eurodollar margin for the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit.
Additionally, LGO pays a fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit
facility. No principal payments are due on the revolving credit facility until
the maturity date. As of December 31, 2003, the Term Loan B requires principal
payments of $0.7 million in 2004, $26.9 million in 2005, $35.3 million in 2006
and $8.8 million in 2007. The Amended Credit Facility contains financial
covenants that require LGO and LGP to satisfy specified quarterly financial
tests, including a maximum senior leverage ratio, a minimum cash interest
coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. The Amended Credit Facility also
contains affirmative and negative covenants customarily found in loan agreements
for similar transactions.
The Company is highly leveraged and has indebtedness that is
substantial in relation to its stockholders' deficit, tangible equity and cash
flow. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $47.5 million,
including non-cash interest of $8.4 million with respect to the Senior Discount
Debentures and Senior Debentures (each defined below), amortization of deferred
financing costs of $1.8 million and dividends on mandatorily redeemable
preferred stock of $13.2 million. The degree to which the Company is leveraged
could have important consequences, including the following: (1) a substantial
portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the
payment of interest on Operating Company's $180.0 million aggregate principal
amount of 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") due February 1, 2008
and interest on other indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the
Company for other purposes; (2) indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility
is at variable rates of interest, which causes the Company to be vulnerable to
increases in interest rates; (3) the Company is more leveraged than certain
competitors in its industry, which might place the Company at a competitive
disadvantage; (4) the Company's substantial degree of leverage could make it
more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or
other adverse events in its business; and (5) the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or
general corporate purposes may be impaired.
17
As of December 31, 2003, approximately $78.1 million was outstanding
under the Amended Credit Facility, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
outstanding was $180.0 million, the aggregate principal amount of the 11 5/8%
Senior Discount Debentures due February 1, 2009 (the "Senior Discount
Debentures") was $89.0 million and the aggregate principal amount of the Senior
Debentures was approximately $7.6 million.
On July 25, 2003, the Operating Company and LGP entered into an
amendment to the Amended Credit Facility. The amendment permits LGP to issue
debt in lieu of paying cash for the interest due on the Senior Discount
Debentures, and to issue debt in lieu of paying cash interest due on the
additional debt that was issued in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior
Discount Debentures.
On July 30, 2003, LGP entered into an agreement, effective August 1,
2003, with Green Equity Investors II, L.P. ("GEI II") and Green Equity Investors
III, L.P. ("GEI III"), whereby LGP may, at its option, issue 11 5/8% Senior
Debentures (the "Senior Debentures") to GEI II and GEI III on each interest
payment date of the Senior Discount Debentures, in lieu of paying cash interest
on the Senior Discount Debentures that are owned by GEI II and GEI III, with an
aggregate initial principal amount equal to the amount of cash interest
otherwise payable on such interest payment date under the terms of the Senior
Discount Debentures. In addition, LGP may, at its option, issue additional
Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III on each interest payment date of the
Senior Debentures, in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior Debentures that
are owned by GEI II and GEI III, with an aggregate initial principal amount
equal to the amount of cash interest otherwise payable on such interest payment
date under the terms of the Senior Debentures. This agreement may be terminated
by GEI II and GEI III at any time upon delivery of written notice to LGP at
least 30 days prior to the next interest payment date.
On August 1, 2003, LGP elected to issue Senior Debentures in lieu of
paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures that were owned by GEI II
and GEI III. In conjunction with its election, LGP issued Senior Debentures to
GEI II and III in the amount of $687,003 and $3,335,247, respectively, which
will accrue interest at an annual rate of 11 5/8% and become payable on February
1, 2009. As a result of these agreements, the Senior Debentures and the interest
due on the Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures as of December 31,
2003 have been reflected as long-term liabilities on the Company's consolidated
balance sheet. On February 1, 2004, LGP again issued Senior Debentures in lieu
of paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures that were owned by GEI
II and GEI III, this time in the amount of $726,940 and $3,529,106,
respectively.
Liquidity. The Company's principal sources of funds has historically
been, and will be, cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under
its revolving credit facility.
LGP has no operations of its own and accordingly has no independent
means of generating revenue. As a holding company, LGP's internal sources of
funds to meet its cash needs, including payment of expenses, are dividends and
other permitted payments from its subsidiaries, in particular from Operating
Company. The indentures relating to the Notes, Senior Discount Debentures and
the Amended Credit Facility and the terms of the Senior Debentures impose upon
the Company certain financial and operating covenants, including, among others,
requirements that the Company satisfy certain quarterly financial tests,
including a maximum senior leverage ratio, a minimum cash interest coverage
ratio and a maximum leverage ratio, limitations on capital expenditures and
restrictions on the Company's ability to incur debt, pay dividends or take
certain other corporate actions.
Management believes that the Company has adequate capital resources and
liquidity to meet its borrowing obligations, all required capital expenditures
and pursue its business strategy for at least the next 12 months. With the
revolving credit facility maturing in March 2005, the Company is currently
considering various opportunities to refinance or extend the revolving credit
facility, to amend the Amended Credit Facility or to enter into a new credit
facility. On February 1, 2003, the Company's Senior Discount Debentures reached
an accreted value of $89.0 million, which is equivalent to the principal amount
of the Senior Discount Debentures at maturity. On February 1, 2003, the Company
began accruing cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures. On August 1,
2003, the initial semi-annual interest payment date for the Senior Discount
Debentures, the Company issued Senior Debentures in lieu of cash interest for
the Senior Discount Debentures that are owned by GEI II and GEI III. On February
1, 2004, the semi-annual interest payment date for the Senior Discount
Debentures and Senior Debentures, the Company again issued Senior Debentures in
lieu of cash interest for the Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures
18
that are owned by GEI II and GEI III. The Company's obligation to pay cash
interest or issue Senior Debentures for the Senior Discount Debentures, or issue
additional Senior Debentures in lieu of paying cash interest on the Senior
Debentures, that are owned by GEI II and GEI III continues through February 1,
2009, the maturity date of the Senior Discount Debentures and Senior Debentures,
respectively. If the Company were to pay the remaining semi-annual interest
payments due on the Senior Discount Debentures in cash, the Company's annual
cash interest obligations will increase by $10.3 million in each year from 2004
through 2008 (excluding the effect of the February 1, 2004 issuance of Senior
Debentures) and $5.2 million in 2009. If the Company were to issue Senior
Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in lieu of cash interest on each semi-annual
interest payment date of the Senior Discount Debentures, the Company would be
required to pay an additional $40.2 million in principal amount of the Senior
Debentures on February 1, 2009.
On June 3, 2002, LGP filed a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on Form S-2 with respect to an initial public offering
of Common Stock. As of March 31, 2003, LGP had incurred $2.1 million in legal
and professional fees associated with its proposed initial public offering that
had been capitalized as deferred offering costs. On March 31, 2003, LGP wrote
off these costs because LGP decided to postpone its proposed initial public
offering. At December 31, 2003, the Company revised its estimate of costs
incurred relating to the postponed initial public offering to $1.9 million.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table reflects a summary of the Company's contractual
obligations as of December 31, 2003 (in thousands):
TOTAL 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 THEREAFTER
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ----------
Long-term debt (principal only):
9 3/8% senior subordinated notes.............. $ 180,000 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 180,000 $ --
11 5/8% senior discount debentures ........... 89,000 -- -- -- -- -- 89,000
11 5/8% senior debentures .................... 4,022 -- -- -- -- -- 4,022
Term Loan B .................................. 71,757 744 26,862 35,321 8,830 -- --
Revolving credit facility .................... 6,338 -- 6,338 -- -- -- --
Operating leases:
Real estate lease payments ................... 1,113 357 289 283 118 66 --
Other contractual obligations:
Senior preferred stock (excludes future
dividends) ................................. 106,170 -- -- -- -- -- 106,170
Junior preferred stock (excludes future
dividends) ................................. 120,135 -- -- -- -- -- 120,135
Non-compete payments ......................... 1,147 282 282 177 177 121 108
Finder fee payments .......................... 125 125 -- -- -- -- --
Accrued interest on senior discount
debentures and senior debentures
held by affiliates ........................ 3,547 -- -- -- -- -- 3,547
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
$ 583,354 $ 1,508 $ 33,771 $ 35,781 $ 9,125 $ 180,187 $ 322,982
========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= =========
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not engage in off-balance sheet transactions,
arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other
relationships with unconsolidated entities of other persons that may have a
material current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in
financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures or capital resources.
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
EXECUTIVE STOCK INVESTMENTS
Upon the commencement of his employment in January 1998, LGP loaned
Kenneth L. Serota $250,000 pursuant to an Unsecured Promissory Note. The loan
was forgiven on a pro rata daily basis from January 28, 1998 to January 28,
2001. LGP also provided Mr. Serota with three additional loans on August 11,
2000, in the principal amounts of $250,000, $225,947 and $121,663. The $250,000
loan was used by Mr. Serota to purchase 4,372 shares of Common Stock and 184.42
shares of Junior Preferred Stock, while the $225,947 and $121,663 loans were
used by Mr. Serota to purchase an aggregate of 23,174 shares of Common Stock.
Each of these loans accrues interest at a rate of 6.22% per annum until each
loan matures. LGP is required to forgive the $250,000 loan, including all
accrued interest, under certain circumstances. The $225,947 and $121,663 loans
become due, including unpaid accrued interest, when
19
Mr. Serota sells all or part of the Common Stock purchased with the proceeds of
such loans in an amount proportional to the number of shares of Common Stock
sold.
In addition, certain other executives were given the opportunity to
purchase Common Stock. Under the plan, each executive paid cash for 50% of its
stock investment and executed a five year note for the remaining 50%. The Board
of Directors approved the forgiveness of these loans including accrued interest,
in 3 equal installments in January 1999, 2000, and 2001. LGP has the right to
repurchase the Common Stock at the original cost if the executive terminates his
employment or is terminated for cause.
During 2001, LGP repurchased 22,344 shares of Common Stock from former
management stockholders. The purchase price was paid through loan forgiveness
and approximately $63,000 in cash.
OTHER RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company paid $1.5 million in management fees in 2001, 2002 and
2003, respectively, and $375,000, $350,000 and $0 in other fees in 2001, 2002
and 2003, respectively to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. The Company is also
obligated to pay other fees of $125,000 to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. at
December 31, 2003, which the parties have agreed will be paid in 2004 without
any penalty or interest. See Item 13 "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" for further discussion of this and other transactions.
On August 1, 2003, LGP elected to issue Senior Debentures in lieu of
paying cash interest on the Senior Discount Debentures that were owned by GEI II
and GEI III, affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. In conjunction with
its election, LGP issued Senior Debentures to GEI II and GEI III in the amount
of $687,003 and $3,335,247, respectively, which will each accrue interest at an
annual rate of 11 5/8% and become payable on February 1, 2009. See "--Liquidity
and Capital Resources" for further discussion.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On May 15, 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS
No. 150 requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some
circumstance) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody
obligations for the issuer. Generally, SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial
instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise
effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15,
2003. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003.
Accordingly, the Company's mandatorily redeemable preferred stock has been
classified as a liability on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2003. The
$13.2 million of dividends on the mandatorily redeemable preferred stock for the
six months ended December 31, 2003 have been classified as additional interest
expense for the year ended December 31, 2003. In periods prior to July 1, 2003,
dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock were reported as an
adjustment to net loss to arrive at net loss available to common stockholders.
The Company anticipates recording $29.0 million of dividends on the mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock for the year ended December 31, 2004 as interest
expense.
RISK FACTORS FOR INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
THE COMPANY DEPENDS TO A GREAT EXTENT ON THE ECONOMIES AND THE
DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT IT SERVES AND IS ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE TO
GENERAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON ITS
ADVERTISING AND CIRCULATION REVENUES AND ITS PROFITABILITY.
The Company's advertising revenues and, to a lesser extent, circulation
revenues, depend upon a variety of factors specific to the communities that its
publications serve. These factors include, among others, the size and
demographic characteristics of the local population, local economic conditions
in general and the economic condition of the retail segments of the communities
that its publications serve. If the local economy, population or prevailing
retail environment of a community served by the Company experiences a downturn,
its publications, revenues and profitability in that market would be adversely
affected.
20
The Company's advertising and circulation revenues are also susceptible
to negative trends in the general economy that affect consumer spending. The
advertisers in its newspapers and related publications are primarily retail
businesses, which can be significantly affected by regional or national economic
downturns and other developments. For example, if there is continued
consolidation among the Company's advertisers, such as retailers, grocery stores
and banks, or if large national retailers that rely less on local print
advertising expand their operations to include grocery stores and replace
grocers that presently advertise in its newspapers, the Company's advertising
revenues would decrease. Additionally, due to the Company's substantial
indebtedness, it may be more susceptible to adverse general economic effects
than some of the competitors in its industry, some of which have greater
financial and other resources than the Company does.
THE COMPANY'S SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT ITS
FINANCIAL HEALTH AND REDUCE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO IT FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The Company has, and intends to continue to have, a significant amount
of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had total indebtedness of
$582.2 million (including mandatorily redeemable preferred stock). The Company
expects to incur additional indebtedness to fund operations, capital
expenditures or future acquisitions. The Company's substantial indebtedness
could adversely affect its financial health in the following ways:
- a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from
operations must be dedicated to the payment of interest on its
outstanding indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available
to it for other purposes;
- indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility is at variable
rates of interest, which causes the Company to be vulnerable
to increases in interest rates;
- the Company is more leveraged than certain competitors in its
industry, which might place it at a competitive disadvantage;
- the Company's substantial degree of leverage could make it
more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic
conditions or other adverse events in its business; and
- the Company's ability to obtain additional financing for
working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general
corporate purposes may be impaired.
In addition, the Amended Credit Facility and other indebtedness contain
financial and other restrictive covenants that limit the Company's ability to
incur additional debt and engage in other activities that may be in its
long-term best interests. The Company's failure to comply with these covenants
could trigger an event of default which, if not waived or cured, could result in
the acceleration of the maturity of its indebtedness. If the Company's
indebtedness is accelerated, it may not have sufficient cash resources to
satisfy its obligations in respect of its indebtedness and the Company may not
be able to continue its operations.
LGP IS A HOLDING COMPANY, AND ITS ACCESS TO THE CASH FLOW OF ITS
SUBSIDIARIES IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY ITS INDEBTEDNESS.
LGP is a holding company for its wholly-owned subsidiary, LGO, and LGP
does not have and may not in the future have any assets other than the common
stock of LGO. LGO conducts its operations through its subsidiaries. LGO's
available cash will depend upon the cash flow of its subsidiaries and the
ability of its subsidiaries to make funds available to LGO in the form of loans,
dividends or otherwise. LGO is a party to an indenture governing the Notes and
Amended Credit Facility, each of which imposes substantial restrictions on LGO's
ability to pay dividends to LGP. Any payment of dividends will be subject to the
satisfaction of certain financial conditions set forth in the indentures related
to the Notes and the Amended Credit Facility. The ability of LGO and its
subsidiaries to comply with these conditions may be affected by events that are
beyond LGP's control. The breach of these conditions could result in a default
under the indentures governing the Notes and the Amended Credit Facility, and in
the event of any such default, the holders of the Notes and/or the lenders under
the Amended Credit Facility could elect to accelerate the maturity of all the
Notes or the loans under the Amended Credit Facility. If the maturity of the
Notes or the loans under the Amended Credit Facility were to be accelerated,
21
all such outstanding debt would be required to be paid in full before LGO or its
subsidiaries would be permitted to distribute any assets or cash to LGP. Future
borrowings by LGO are likely to contain restrictions or prohibitions on the
payment of dividends by LGO and its subsidiaries to it.
THE COMPANY INTENDS TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES,
WHICH MAY SUBJECT IT TO CONSIDERABLE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RISK.
The Company has grown through, and anticipates that it will continue to
grow through, acquisitions of paid daily and non-daily newspapers and free
circulation and TMC publications. The Company continually evaluates potential
acquisitions and intends to actively pursue acquisition opportunities, some of
which could be significant. The Company may not be successful in identifying
acquisition opportunities, assessing the value, strengths and weaknesses of
these opportunities and consummating acquisitions on acceptable terms.
Acquisitions may expose the Company to particular business and financial risks
that include:
- diverting management's attention;
- assuming liabilities;
- incurring significant additional capital expenditures,
transaction and operating expenses and non-recurring
acquisition-related charges;
- experiencing an adverse impact on the Company's earnings from
the amortization or impairment of acquired goodwill and other
intangible assets;
- failing to integrate the operations and personnel of the
acquired newspapers and publications;
- entering new markets with which the Company is not familiar;
and
- failing to retain key personnel of the acquired newspapers and
publications.
The Company may not be able to successfully manage acquired newspapers
and publications or improve its business, results of operations or financial
condition from these acquired operations. If the Company is unable to
successfully implement its acquisition strategy or address the risks associated
with acquisitions, or if the Company encounters unforeseen expenses,
difficulties, complications or delays frequently encountered in connection with
the integration of acquired entities and the expansion of operations, its growth
and ability to compete may be impaired, it may fail to achieve acquisition
synergies and it may be required to focus resources on integration of operations
rather than more profitable areas. In addition, the Company may compete for
certain acquisition targets with companies having greater financial resources
than it. The Company anticipates that it will finance acquisitions through cash
provided by operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit
facility, which would reduce its cash available for other purposes, including
the repayment of indebtedness.
THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS MAY SUFFER IF THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN
THE PRICE OF NEWSPRINT OR A REDUCTION IN THE AVAILABILITY OF NEWSPRINT.
The basic raw material for newspapers is newsprint. In 2003, the
Company's newsprint consumption related to its publications totaled
approximately $9.3 million, which was 5.2% of its total advertising and
circulation revenues. The Company also incurred newsprint expense related to job
printing and other of approximately $2.8 million in 2003. The Company has no
long-term contracts to purchase newsprint. The Company's inability to obtain an
adequate supply of newsprint in the future could have a material adverse effect
on its ability to produce its publications. Historically, the price of newsprint
has been cyclical and volatile, reaching approximately $682 per short ton in
1996 and as low as $409 per short ton in 1993. The average price of newsprint
for December 2003, as reported by Pulp & Paper Week, was approximately $481 per
short ton, compared to approximately $436 per short ton in December 2002.
Significant increases in newsprint costs could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations. See Item 1.
"Business -- Newsprint."
22
THE COMPANY COMPETES WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPANIES IN THE MEDIA
INDUSTRY, AND IF IT IS UNABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY, ITS ADVERTISING AND
CIRCULATION REVENUES MAY DECLINE.
The Company's business is concentrated in newspapers and other
publications located primarily in non-metropolitan markets in the United States.
The Company's revenues primarily consist of advertising and paid circulation.
Competition for advertising revenues and paid circulation comes from local,
regional and national newspapers, shoppers, magazines, broadcast and cable
television, radio, direct mail, the internet and other media. For example, as
the use of the internet has increased over the past several years, the Company
has lost some classified advertising and subscribers to online advertising
businesses and its free internet sites that contain abbreviated versions of its
newspapers, respectively. Competition for newspaper advertising revenues is
based largely upon advertiser results, advertising rates, readership,
demographics and circulation levels, while competition for circulation is based
largely upon the content of the newspaper, its price and editorial quality. The
Company's local and regional competitors are typically unique to each market,
and many of its competitors for advertising revenues are larger and have greater
financial and distribution resources than it. The Company may incur increasing
costs competing for advertising expenditures and paid circulation. The Company
may also experience a decline of circulation or print advertising revenue due to
alternative media, such as the internet. If it is not able to compete
effectively for advertising expenditures and paid circulation, the Company's
revenues may decline. See "Business -- Competition."
THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REVENUES AND OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE AS A
RESULT OF A VARIETY OF FACTORS, WHICH MAY AFFECT ITS CASH FLOWS.
The Company's quarterly revenues and operating results have varied
significantly in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future due to a
number of factors. For example, the timing of new newspaper acquisitions,
related pre-acquisition expenses, losses or charges incurred as a result of
acquisitions, including significant write-downs, write-offs or impairment
charges, and the amount of revenue contributed by new and existing newspapers
may cause its quarterly results to fluctuate. Additionally, the Company's
business is subject to seasonal fluctuations that it expects to continue to
affect its operating results in future periods. The Company's first fiscal
quarter of the year tends to be its weakest quarter because advertising volume
is at its lowest levels following the holiday season. Correspondingly, its
fourth fiscal quarter tends to be its strongest quarter because the fourth
fiscal quarter includes heavy holiday season advertising. Other factors that
affect the Company's quarterly revenues and operating results may be beyond its
control, including changes in the pricing policies of its competitors, the
hiring and retention of key personnel, wage and cost pressures, changes in
newsprint prices and general economic factors. These quarterly fluctuations in
revenues and operating results may affect the Company's cash flows.
THE COMPANY IS SUBJECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REGULATION THAT COULD CAUSE IT TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT COMPLIANCE EXPENDITURES AND
LIABILITIES.
The Company's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws
and regulations pertaining to the environment, air and water quality, storage
tanks and the management and disposal of wastes at its facilities. Its
operations are also subject to various employee safety and health laws and
regulations, including those pertaining to occupational injury and illness,
employee exposure to hazardous materials and employee complaints. Environmental
and employee safety and health laws tend to be complex, comprehensive and
frequently changing. As a result, the Company may be involved from time to time
in administrative and judicial proceedings and investigations related to
environmental and employee safety and health issues. These proceedings and
investigations could result in substantial costs to it, divert management's
attention and, if it is determined that the Company is not in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations, result in significant liabilities, fines or the
suspension or interruption of the operations of specific printing facilities.
Future events, such as changes in existing laws and regulations, new laws or
regulations or the discovery of conditions not curr