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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2002

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 1-7553

             KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.             
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                   FLORIDA                                 38-0723657            
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

50 W. SAN FERNANDO ST., SUITE 1500, SAN JOSE, CA 95113
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

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

----------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 [   ]

As of August 5, 2002, 83,255,061 shares of Common Stock, $.02 1/12 par value, were outstanding.


Table of Contents for Form 10-Q

Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
  
Item 1.    Financial Statements 
                       Consolidated Balance Sheet  3  
                       Consolidated Statement of Income  4  
                       Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows  5  
                       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  6  
  
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operations  13  
  
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  25  
  
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
  
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings  25  
  
Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds  25  
  
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities  25  
  
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  25  
  
Item 5.    Other Information  26  
  
Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K  26  
  
SIGNATURE  27  

2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands, except per share data)

June 30, 2002
(unaudited)
December 30,
2001
ASSETS

     
Current Assets 
      Cash  $      38,259   $      37,287  
      Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $23,190 in 2002
        and $23,811 in 2001
  337,988   391,788  
      Inventories  44,825   43,240  
      Prepaid expense  46,023   35,464  
      Other current assets  24,364   27,792  


                Total Current Assets  491,459   535,571  


 
Investments and Other Assets 
      Equity in unconsolidated companies and joint ventures  349,164   393,777  
      Other  209,010   193,685  


                Total Investments and Other Assets  558,174   587,462  


 
Property, Plant and Equipment 
      Land and improvements  99,477   99,605  
      Buildings and improvements  495,221   492,576  
      Equipment  1,311,076   1,301,826  
      Construction and equipment installations in progress  22,479   43,772  


   1,928,253   1,937,779  
      Less accumulated depreciation  (953,061 ) (922,453 )


                Net Property, Plant and Equipment  975,192   1,015,326  
 
Goodwill and Other Identified Intangible Assets 
      Goodwill  1,748,229   1,748,229  
      Newspaper mastheads  284,284   284,284  
      Other, less accumulated amortization of $39,740 in 2002
        and $36,329 in 2001
  39,259   42,504  


                Total Goodwill and Other Identified Intangible Assets, net  2,071,772   2,075,017  


                Total  $ 4,096,597   $ 4,213,376  


 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
Current Liabilities 
      Accounts payable  $    107,801   $    110,333  
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities  114,308   112,946  
      Accrued compensation and amounts withheld from employees  98,390   107,842  
      Federal and state income taxes  71,475   30,844  
      Deferred revenue  79,648   77,368  
      Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt  39,993   40,699  


                Total Current Liabilities  511,615   480,032  


 
Noncurrent Liabilities 
      Long-term debt  1,475,047   1,582,888  
      Deferred Federal and state income taxes  246,370   255,266  
      Postretirement benefits other than pensions  136,962   136,134  
      Employment benefits and other noncurrent liabilities  175,951   197,448  


                Total Noncurrent Liabilities  2,034,330   2,171,736  


 
Minority Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries  1,412   1,320  
 
Commitments and Contingencies

 
Shareholders' Equity 
      Common stock, $.02 1/12 par value; shares authorized - 250,000,000; 
        shares issued - 83,230,528 in 2002 and 84,012,749 in 2001  1,734   1,750  
      Additional capital  1,029,095   984,830  
      Retained earnings  520,235   575,649  
      Treasury stock, at cost, 32,662 shares in 2002 and 34,757 shares in 2001  (1,824 ) (1,941 )


                Total Shareholders' Equity  1,549,240   1,560,288  


                Total  $ 4,096,597   $ 4,213,376  


See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

3


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited in thousands except per share data)

Quarter Ended
Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
OPERATING REVENUE          
     Advertising 
         Retail  $ 271,779   $ 270,317   $    515,410   $    516,670  
         General  72,170   77,641   147,053   157,425  
         Classified  212,487   228,677   414,020   475,696  




           Total  556,436   576,635   1,076,483   1,149,791  
     Circulation  122,270   127,738   248,695   256,879  
     Other  36,398   34,064   68,138   67,165  




           Total Operating Revenue  715,104   738,437   1,393,316   1,473,835  




 
OPERATING COSTS 
     Labor and employee benefits  280,299   363,139   558,716   655,731  
     Newsprint, ink and supplements  87,301   114,355   177,972   230,551  
     Other operating costs  157,557   161,233   314,094   324,178  
     Depreciation and amortization  32,484   47,078   64,241   94,234  




           Total Operating Costs  557,641   685,805   1,115,023   1,304,694  




 
OPERATING INCOME  157,463   52,632   278,293   169,141  




 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) 
     Interest expense  (18,833 ) (26,706 ) (38,706 ) (54,926 )
     Interest expense capitalized  197   557   476   1,038  
     Interest income  91   257   164   542  
     Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated 
           companies and joint ventures  (6,703 ) 935   (22,172 ) (3,842 )
     Minority interests  (2,975 ) (1,157 ) (4,913 ) (4,095 )
     Other, net  (6,954 ) (4,510 ) (8,424 ) (17,577 )




           Total  (35,177 ) (30,624 ) (73,575 ) (78,860 )




 
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of 
     change in accounting principle of unconsolidated 
     company  122,286   22,008   204,718   90,281  
Income taxes  45,492   8,582   76,156   36,118  




     Net Income before cumulative effect of change in 
           accounting principle of unconsolidated company  $   76,794   $   13,426   $    128,562   $      54,163  




     Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 
           of unconsolidated company  $          --   $          --   $   (24,279 ) $             --  




     Net Income  $   76,794   $   13,426   $    104,283   $      54,163  




 
NET INCOME PER SHARE - BEFORE 
       CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
       ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE OF
       UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANY

 
     Basic  $       0.92   $       0.15   $          1.54   $          0.67  




     Diluted  $       0.90   $       0.15   $          1.50   $          0.63  




 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN 
       ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE OF
       UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANY - PER
       SHARE

 
     Basic  $          --   $          --   $       (0.29 ) $             --  




     Diluted  $          --   $          --   $       (0.28 ) $             --  




 
NET INCOME PER SHARE

 
     Basic  $       0.92   $       0.15   $          1.25   $          0.67  




     Diluted  $       0.90   $       0.15   $          1.22   $          0.63  




 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE  $       0.25   $       0.25   $          0.50   $          0.50  




 
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000's)

 
     Basic  83,408   73,456   83,713   73,419  




     Diluted  85,377   74,661   85,727   85,655  




See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

4


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
CASH PROVIDED BY (REQUIRED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
       Net income  $ 104,283   $   54,163  
       Noncash items deducted from (included in) income: 
            Depreciation  59,577   57,081  
            Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets  3,411   34,361  
            Amortization of other assets  1,253   2,792  
            Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle  24,279  
            Losses on sales and write-down of investments  7,435   11,538  
            Benefit for deferred taxes  (8,896 ) (4,279 )
            Provision for bad debts  10,177   13,701  
            Distributions in excess of earnings in investees  34,535   7,527  
            Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries  4,913   4,095  
            Other items, net  10,584   8,482  
       Change in certain assets and liabilities: 
            Accounts receivable  43,624   31,673  
            Inventories  (1,585 ) (9,237 )
            Other assets  (31,629 ) (41,811 )
            Accounts payable  10,632   (13,694 )
            Federal and state income taxes  49,524   (18,992 )
            Other liabilities  (25,205 ) 67,734  


                        Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  296,912   205,134  


 
 CASH PROVIDED BY (REQUIRED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
       Additions to property, plant and equipment  (23,057 ) (50,890 )
       Proceeds from sales of investments  1,776   13,125  
       Other investments, net  (11,437 ) (4,591 )


 
                        Net Cash Required for Investing Activities  (32,718 ) (42,356 )


 
CASH PROVIDED BY (REQUIRED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
       Net decrease in debt, net of unamortized discount  (124,289 ) (44,886 )
       Payment of cash dividends  (41,926 ) (42,167 )
       Issuance of common stock to employees and directors  63,948   41,425  
       Purchase of treasury stock  (143,935 ) (113,505 )
       Other items, net  (17,020 ) (13,604 )


 
                        Net Cash Required for Financing Activities  (263,222 ) (172,737 )


                                Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash  972   (9,959 )
 Cash and short-term cash 
       investments at beginning of the period  37,287   41,661  


 Cash and short-term cash 
       investments at end of the period  $   38,259   $   31,702  


 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: 
Noncash financing activities: 
       Conversion of preferred stock to common stock 
                        Preferred Stock  --   (156 )
                        Additional Capital    (58,400 )
       Issuance of common stock upon conversion to preferred stock 
                        Common Stock    32  
                        Additional Capital    58,524  

See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

5


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Knight-Ridder, Inc. (the company) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter and two quarters ended June 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 29, 2002. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto, as well as the critical accounting policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, included in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001.

Certain amounts in 2001 have been reclassified to conform to the 2002 presentation.

NOTE 2 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table sets forth the computation of comprehensive income (in thousands):

Quarter Ended

Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
Net income   $76,794   $13,426   $104,283   $ 54,163  
 
Total unrealized losses on securities available for sale        (5,798 )
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized 
    losses, net of taxes        7,099  




 
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income        1,301  




Total comprehensive income  $76,794   $13,426   $104,283   $ 55,464  




6


NOTE 3 — DEBT

Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

Effective Interest Balance At
Rate as of
June 30, 2002
June 30,
2002
December 30,
2001
Commercial paper, net of discount (a)   1 .9% $   402,860   $   527,148  
Debentures, net of discount (b)  7 .5% 198,878   198,795  
Debentures, net of discount (c)  7 .8% 95,025   94,927  
Debentures, net of discount (d)  7 .1% 296,747   296,686  
Notes payable, net of discount (e)  2 .9% 98,781   98,667  
Notes payable, net of discount (f)  5 .9% 297,416   297,277  
Senior notes, net of discount (g)  2 .7% 99,655   99,605  
Notes payable, other  6 .1% 144   850  
Fair market value of interest swaps    25,534   9,632  


      Total Debt (h)  5 .0% 1,515,040   1,623,587  
Less amounts classified as current    39,993   40,699  


      Total long-term debt  5 .0% $1,475,047   $1,582,888  


(a)  Commercial paper is supported by $895 million revolving credit facility which matures in 2006.
(b)  Represents $200 million of 9.875% debentures due in 2009.
(c)  Represents $100 million of 7.15% debentures due in 2027.
(d)  Represents $300 million of 6.875% debentures due in 2029.
(e)  Represents $100 million of 6.625% notes due in 2007.
(f)  Represents $300 million of 7.125% notes due in 2011.
(g)  Represents $100 million of 6.3% senior notes due in 2005.
(h)  Interest payments for the three months ended June 30, 2002 and July 1, 2001 were
       $39.9 million and $63.4 million, respectively.

NOTE 4 – INCOME TAX PAYMENTS

Income tax payments for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 and July 1, 2001 were $34.1 million and $59.4 million, respectively.

7


NOTE 5 – EQUITY

Earnings per Share:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

Quarter Ended
Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
June 30,
2002
July 1,
2001
Net income before cumulative effect of          
change in accounting principle  $76,794   $13,426   $ 128,562   $54,163  
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
principle  --   --   (24,279 ) --  




Net income  $76,794   $13,426   $ 104,283   $54,163  
Less dividends on preferred stock  --   2,387   --   5,163  




Net income attributable to common stock  $76,794   $11,039   $ 104,283   $49,000  




 
Average shares outstanding (basic)  83,408   73,456   83,713   73,419  
 
Effect of dilutive securities: 
     Weighted average preferred stock, as converted  --   --   --   10,846  
     Stock options  1,969   1,205   2,014   1,390  




Average shares outstanding (diluted)  85,377   74,661   85,727   85,655  




 
Net income per share - before cumulative 
effect of change in accounting principle 
     Basic  $    0.92   $    0.15   $       1.54   $    0.67  




     Diluted  $    0.90   $    0.15   $       1.50   $    0.63  




 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
principle 
     Basic  $    0.00   $    0.00   $    (0.29 ) $    0.00  




     Diluted  $    0.00   $    0.00   $    (0.28 ) $    0.00  




 
Net income per share 
     Basic  $    0.92   $    0.15   $       1.25   $    0.67  




     Diluted  $    0.90   $    0.15   $       1.22   $    0.63  




In the quarter ended July 1, 2001, the impact of the conversion of preferred stock for the computation of diluted net income per share was anti-dilutive and therefore no conversion was assumed in the computation.

8


NOTE 6.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, MediaStream, Inc. ("MediaStream"), was named as one of a number of defendants in two separate class action lawsuits that have been consolidated with one other similar lawsuit by the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation under the caption "In re Literary Works in Electronic Databases Copyright Litigation," M.D.L. Docket No. 1379 (the "Multi-District Litigation"). The two lawsuits originally filed against MediaStream in September 2000 were: The Authors Guild, Inc. et al. v. The Dialog Corporation et al., and Posner et al. v. Gale Group Inc. et al. These lawsuits were brought by or on behalf of freelance authors who allege that the defendants have infringed plaintiffs' copyrights by making plaintiffs' works available on databases operated by the defendants. The plaintiffs are seeking to be certified as class representatives of all similarly-situated freelance authors.

The two lawsuits were initially stayed pending disposition by the U.S. Supreme Court of New York Times Company et al. v. Tasini et al., No. 00-21. On June 25, 2001, the Supreme Court ruled that the defendants in Tasini did not have a privilege under Section 201 of the Copyright Act to republish articles previously appearing in print publications absent the author’s separate permission for electronic republication. The judge has ordered the parties in the Multi-District Litigation to try to resolve the claims through mediation, which commenced November 2001, and the parties have agreed to a limited stay to respond to the complaint during such mediation, which may be terminated by the plaintiffs upon 30 days prior written notice. In September 2001, the plaintiffs submitted an amended complaint, which named the company as an additional defendant and makes reference to Knight Ridder Digital, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

Plaintiffs in the Multi-District Litigation seek actual damages, statutory damages and injunctive relief, among other remedies. The company and MediaStream intend to contest liability and vigorously defend their positions in the litigation, including opposing class certification. In addition, MediaStream has indemnity agreements from various content providers supplying articles to MediaStream’s databases that could mitigate its potential exposure. Management is currently unable to predict whether an unfavorable outcome is likely or the magnitude of any potential loss.

Various libel and copyright infringement actions and environmental and other legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business are pending against the company and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability to the company and its subsidiaries as a result of all such other legal proceedings will not be material to its financial position or results of operations on a consolidated basis.

9


NOTE 7 – BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Although not required to do so, the company reports its online operations as a separate reportable business segment from its newspaper operations pursuant to FASB 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. FASB 131 requires disclosure of certain information about reportable operating segments management believes are important and allows users to assess the performance of individual operating segments in the same way that management reviews performance and makes decisions.

Financial data for the company’s segments is as follows (in thousands):

Quarter Ended
Two Quarters Ended
June 30, 2002
July 1, 2001
June 30, 2002
July 1, 2001
 
Operating revenue          
     Newspapers  $ 700,883   $    727,737   $ 1,366,205   $ 1,452,770  
     Online  14,221   10,700   27,111   21,065  




   $ 715,104   $    738,437   $ 1,393,316   $ 1,473,835  




 
Operating income (loss) 
     Newspapers  $ 169,169   $      67,171   $    301,705   $    201,521  
     Online  (2,606 ) (7,886 ) (6,509 ) (18,983 )
     Corporate  (9,100 ) (6,653 ) (16,903 ) (13,397 )




   $ 157,463   $      52,632   $    278,293   $    169,141  




 
Depreciation and amortization 
     Newspapers  $   29,428   $      44,905   $      59,009   $      89,817  
     Online  1,563   757   2,332   1,504  
     Corporate  1,493   1,416   2,900   2,913  




   $   32,484   $      47,078   $      64,241   $      94,234  




NOTE 8 – WORKFORCE REDUCTION PLAN

Due to the slowing economy and the resulting decline in advertising revenue, the company announced in the second quarter of 2001 a workforce reduction program affecting the majority of its newspapers. The workforce reduction plan eliminated approximately 1,600 positions through early retirement programs as well as voluntary and involuntary buyouts and attrition. As a result of this plan, the company incurred charges of $78.5 million, or $47.1 million net of tax, related to employee severance costs and benefits during the second quarter of 2001. As of June 30, 2002, the plan is complete and substantially all pay outs have been made.

10


NOTE 9 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

In June 2001, the Financial Accountants Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Under SFAS 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed at least annually for impairment. Separable intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life continue to be amortized over their useful lives. The amortization provisions of SFAS 142 apply to goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001. With respect to goodwill and intangible assets acquired prior to July 1, 2001 the company has applied the new accounting rules beginning December 31, 2001.

Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 142, the company completed the evaluation of its goodwill and other intangible assets during the second quarter of 2002 and no impairment was indicated. However, the company owns 50% of Career Holdings, Inc., parent company of CareerBuilder, Inc., which completed its evaluation of goodwill in the second quarter of 2002. The company records its investments in Career Holdings under the equity method of accounting. The company has reflected its share of Career Holdings’ impairment of goodwill, $24.3 million, or $.28 per diluted share, arising from its adoption of SFAS 142, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle consistent with Career Holdings’ characterization of the writedown.

The following table shows a 2002 versus 2001 net income comparison had SFAS 142 been applied at the beginning of fiscal 2001 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Quarter Ended
  Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
 
Net Income before cumulative effect of
         
change in accounting principle of
unconsolidated company
  $   76,794   $   13,426   $  128,562   $   54,163  
 
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
  principle of unconsolidated company  --   --   $  (24,279 ) --
 
  Goodwill and other intangibles amortization  --   13,825   --   27,650  




 
Adjusted Net Income  $   76,794   $   27,251   $  104,283   $   81,813  




 
Basic Earnings per Share as Reported  $       0.92   $       0.15   $       1.54   $       0.67  
 
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
  principle of unconsolidated company  --   --   (0.29 --  
 
  Goodwill and other intangibles amortization      0.19       0.38  




 
Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share  $       0.92   $       0.34   $       1.25   $       1.05  




 
Diluted Earnings per Share as Reported  $       0.90   $       0.15   $       1.50   $       0.63  
 
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
  principle of unconsolidated company  --   --   (0.28 ) --  
 
  Goodwill and other intangibles amortization  --   0.16   --   0.32  




 
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share  $       0.90   $       0.31   $       1.22   $       0.95  




11


Goodwill and other intangible assets at June 30, 2002 consisted of the following (in thousands):

Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Amount
Intangible assets continuing to be amortized:        
 
   Advertisers list  $       43,558   $       20,417   $       23,141  
   Subscribers list  33,651   18,831   14,820  
   Other  860   391   469  



        Total  $       78,069   $       39,639   $       38,430  



 
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets no longer being amortized: 
 
   Goodwill      $  1,748,229  
   Newspaper mastheads      284,284  
   Other      829  

        Total      $  2,033,342  
 
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization      $  2,071,772  

The aggregate weighted-average amortization period for all intangible assets continuing to be amortized is 11.0 years, comprised of 12.2 years for advertiser lists, 9.5 years for subscriber lists and 10.0 years for other.

Estimated annual aggregate amortization expense will be approximately $6.8 million from 2002 through 2006 and $4.1 million in 2007.

12


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated.

Potential risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect the company’s ability to obtain these results include, without limitations, the following factors: (a) increased consolidation among major retailers or other events that may adversely affect business operations of major customers and depress the level of local and national advertising; (b) an accelerated economic downturn in some or all of the company’s principal newspaper markets that may lead to decreased circulation or decreased local or national advertising; (c) a decline in general newspaper readership patterns as a result of competitive alternative media or other factors; (d) an increase in newsprint costs over the levels anticipated; (e) labor disputes or shortages that may cause revenue declines or increased labor costs; (f) disruptions in electricity and natural gas supplies and increases in energy costs; (g) acquisitions of new businesses or dispositions of existing businesses; (h) increases in interest or financing costs or availability of credit; (i) rapid technological changes and frequent new product introductions prevalent in electronic publishing, including the evolution of the Internet; and (j) acts of war, terrorism or other events that may adversely affect the company’s operations or the operations of key suppliers to the company.

13


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: SECOND QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER ENDED JULY 1, 2001

The following table sets forth the results of operations for the quarters ended June 30, 2002 and July 1, 2001 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Quarter Ended
June 30
2002
  July 1,
2001
  % Change
Operating revenue   $715,104   $738,437   -3.2 %
              
Operating income  $157,463   $  52,632   199.2 %
              
              
Net Income (GAAP)  $  76,794   $  13,426   472.0 %
              
  Proforma Adjustments, net of tax: 
    Goodwill and other intangibles amortization  --   13,825  
    Workforce Reduction      47,100  


              
Proforma Adjusted Net Income  $  76,794   $  74,351   3.3 %


              
              
Diluted Earnings per Share (GAAP)  $      0.90   $      0.15   500.0 %
              
  Proforma Adjustments, net of tax: 
    Goodwill and other intangibles amortization  --   0.16  
    Workforce Reduction      0.56  


              
Proforma Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share  $      0.90   $      0.87   3.4 %


14


NEWSPAPER DIVISION

Operating Revenue

The table below presents operating revenue and related statistics for newspaper operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the quarter ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Quarter Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
           
Operating revenues          
  Advertising 
    Retail  $271,779   $270,318   $   1,461   0.5 %
    General  72,170   77,641   (5,471 ) -7.0
    Classified  212,487   228,677   (16,190 ) -7.1 %



      Total  556,436   576,636   (20,200 ) -3.5 %



  Circulation  122,270   127,738   (5,468 ) -4.3 %
  Other  22,177   23,363   (1,186 ) -5.1 %



Total operating revenue  $700,883   $727,737   $(26,854 ) -3.7 %



           
Average daily circulation 
  Daily  3,822   3,788   34   0.9 %
  Sunday  5,139   5,121   18   0.4 %
           
Advertising linage 
Full run 
    Retail  3,979.0   4,025.8   (46.8 ) -1.2 %
    General  628.9   693.6   (64.8 ) -9.3 %
    Classified  4,674.9   4,644.6   30.3   0.7 %



      Total full run  9,282.8   9,364.0   (81.3 ) -0.9 %



           
Factored part-run  577.9   544.1   33.8   6.2 %



           
Total preprints inserted  1,732.6   1,653.7   78.9   4.8 %



Advertising revenue and linage for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 declined compared to the same quarter of the prior year due primarily to decreases in classified recruitment and general advertising, down $21.5 million, or 24.7%, and $5.5 million, or 7.0%, respectively.

Retail advertising increased $1.5 million, or 0.5%, during the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the same period last year, on a 6.6% increase in preprint advertising revenue and a 37.7% increase in total market coverage/alternate distribution advertising revenue, partially offset by a 3.7% decrease in full-run advertising revenue.

General advertising revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 was below the comparable quarter in 2001 by $5.5 million, or 7.0%, with a 9.3% decrease in full run linage. The largest decreases were in San Jose ($2.6 million or 24.5%), Philadelphia ($1.8 million or 8.1%) and Saint Paul ($1.1 million or 29.5%). The decline in San Jose was from the technology, travel, pharmaceutical, utilities, preprint and government categories. Philadelphia had shortfalls in travel, telecommunications, financial, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and department stores. Saint Paul experienced declines in the food, technology and automotive sectors.

15


Classified revenue was down $16.2 million, or 7.1% in the second quarter of 2002, compared to the second quarter of 2001, due to classified recruitment, down $21.5 million, or 24.7%. While there were declines in recruitment revenue in most major markets during the second quarter of 2002 compared to the same period in 2001, the following properties were responsible for the majority of the decrease: San Jose ($6.7 million or 48.4%), Philadelphia ($4.2 million or 23.0%), Fort Worth ($2.1 million 30.2%) and Kansas City ($1.8 million or 19.8%). Partially offsetting these declines, classified automotive revenue increased 6.2%, with increases in Kansas City ($768,000 or 14.2%), Charlotte ($740,000 or 21.2%) and Philadelphia ($706,000 or 16.3%). Classified real estate revenue was also up 1.0%, due to increases in Saint Paul and Philadelphia.

Circulation revenue declined $5.5 million, or 4.3%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the same period last year, while average daily copies increased from the prior year’s second quarter by 33,963, or 0.9%, and Sunday copies increased by 18,265, or 0.4%. The decrease in revenue was due to an increase in discounted orders and Sunday single copy price reductions in five markets.

Other revenue declined $1.2 million, or 5.1%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the quarter ended July 1, 2001 with decreases in commercial printing, augmentation revenue and newsprint waste sales.

Operating Costs

The table below presents operating costs for newspaper operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the quarter ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Quarter Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
Operating costs          
  Labor and employee benefits  $ 267,238   $ 351,964   $  (84,726 ) -24.1 %
  Newsprint, ink and supplements  89,970   117,249   (27,279 ) -23.3 %
  Other operating costs  145,078   146,448   (1,370 ) -0.9 %
  Depreciation and amortization  29,428   44,905   (15,477 ) -34.5 %



      Total operating costs  $ 531,714   $ 660,566   $(128,852 ) -19.5 %



Total operating costs were down $128.9 million, or 19.5%, in the second quarter of 2002 compared to the second quarter of 2001. Excluding the workforce reduction charge and the effect of the change in goodwill and other intangible amortization in 2001, total operating costs declined $35.1 million, or 6.2%.

Labor and employee benefits decreased $84.7 million, or 24.1%, in the second quarter of 2002 from the second quarter of 2001 as a result of the 2001 workforce reduction charge of $78.5 million and a 9.4% decline in the number of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). This was partially offset by a 2.6% increase in the average wage rate in the second quarter of 2002 compared to the second quarter of 2001.

16


Newsprint, ink and supplements decreased in the second quarter of 2002 from the second quarter of 2001 by $27.3 million, or 23.3%, due to a 23.8% decrease in the price per ton of newsprint and a 2.8% decline in consumption.

Other operating costs decreased in the second quarter of 2002 from the second quarter of 2001 by $1.4 million, or 0.9%, primarily due to a decline in bad debt expense.

Depreciation and amortization declined $15.5 million, or 34.5%, in the second quarter of 2002 compared to the second quarter of 2001. The company adopted SFAS 142 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. Not amortizing goodwill caused an increase in operating income of $15.2 million, and an increase in net income of $13.8 million, or $.16 per share, in the second quarter of 2002. Excluding the effect from the adoption of SFAS 142, depreciation and amortization expense decreased $261,000, or 0.9%.


ONLINE DIVISION

The table below presents the operating results and related statistics for online operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to the quarter ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Quarter Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
Operating revenue   $ 14,221   $ 10,700   $  3,521   32.9 %
Operating costs 
  Labor and employee benefits  7,548   8,270   $    (722 ) -8.7 %
  Other operating costs  7,716   9,559   (1,843 ) -19.3 %
  Depreciation and amortization  1,563   757   806   106.5 %



    Total operating costs  $ 16,827   $ 18,586   $ (1,759 ) -9.5 %



Operating Loss  $  (2,606 ) $  (7,886 ) $  5,280   67.0 %



Unique visitors  6,291   5,507   784   14.2 %



Operating revenue for the second quarter of 2002 increased from the same period in 2001 primarily due to increases in recruitment packages and recruitment upsell. Reach for Knight Ridder Digital properties, defined as the percentage of all online users in the nation who used any of Knight Ridder Digital’s websites, increased from 4.9% in the second quarter of 2001 to 5.0% in the second quarter of 2002, and resulted in an increase in unique visitors. Knight Ridder Digital’s Real Cities network increased to 56 cities on July 15, 2002, covering 18 of the top 25 markets.

The decrease in labor and employee benefits for the second quarter of 2002 compared to the same quarter last year was primarily due to an FTE reduction of 98, or 28.4%. Other operating costs for the second quarter of 2002 declined from the same quarter last year due to decreases in content and wire service fees, advertising and promotion costs, and bad debt expense. Offsetting these decreases in other operating costs was an increase in software costs. Depreciation and amortization expense in the second quarter of 2002 increased due to new Knight Ridder Digital offices and the implementation of a single digital platform (a shared content management and web serving database for all of the Knight Ridder Digital websites).

17


CORPORATE AND OTHER NON-OPERATING ITEMS

Interest expense, net of interest income and capitalized interest, decreased $7.3 million, or 28.4%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 from the quarter ended July 1, 2001 due to a lower average debt balance and a lower weighted-average interest rate. Weighted-average interest rates were lower due to a general decline in short-term interest rates.

Equity in losses of unconsolidated companies and joint ventures for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 increased by $7.6 million from the comparable period in 2001. Contributing to the year-over-year increase were losses from newsprint mill investments due to declining newsprint prices. Partially offsetting these losses were an increase in earnings from the Seattle Times and a decrease in losses from Career Holdings.

The effective tax rate was 37.2% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to 39.0% for the comparable period in 2001. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 2001 to 2002 was primarily due to the amortization of non-deductible goodwill and certain other intangible assets in 2001.

18


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: TWO QUARTERS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 COMPARED TO TWO QUARTERS ENDED JULY 1, 2001

The following table sets forth the results of operations for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 and July 1, 2001 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Two Quarters Ended
June 30
2002
  July 1,
2001
  % Change
Operating revenue   $1,393,316   $1,473,835   -5.5 %
 
Operating income  $   278,293   $   169,141   64.5 %
 
 
Net Income (GAAP)  $   104,283   $     54,163   92.5 %
 
  Proforma Adjustments, net of tax: 
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle  24,279  
    Losses on sales/write-down of investments      7,099  
    Goodwill and other intangibles amortization      27,650  
    Workforce Reduction      47,100  


 
Proforma Adjusted Net Income  $   128,562   $   136,012   -5.5 %


 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share (GAAP)  $         1.22   $         0.63   93.7 %
 
  Proforma Adjustments, net of tax: 
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle  0.28  
    Losses on sales/write-down of investments      0.09  
    Goodwill and other intangibles amortization      0.32  
    Workforce Reduction      0.55  


 
Proforma Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share  $         1.50   $         1.59   -5.7 %


19


NEWSPAPER DIVISION

Operating Revenue

The table below presents operating revenue and related statistics for newspaper operations for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
Operating revenues          
  Advertising 
    Retail  $   515,410   $   516,670   $      (1,260 ) -0.2 %
    General  147,053   157,425   (10,372 ) -6.6 %
    Classified  414,020   475,696   (61,676 ) -13.0 %



      Total  1,076,483   1,149,791   (73,308 ) -6.4 %



  Circulation  248,695   256,879   (8,184 ) -3.2 %
  Other  41,027   46,100   (5,073 ) -11.0 %



Total operating revenue  $1,366,205   $1,452,770   (86,565 ) -6.0 %



 
Average daily circulation 
  Daily  3,853   3,838   15   0.4 %
  Sunday  5,165   5,189   (24 ) -0.5 %
 
Advertising linage 
Full run 
    Retail  7,615.7   7,621.5   (5.8 ) -0.1 %
    General  1,229.8   1,327.6   (97.8 ) -7.4 %
    Classified  8,925.3   9,059.0   (133.7 ) -1.5 %



      Total full run  17,770.8   18,008.1   (237.3 ) -1.3 %



 
 
Factored part-run  1,099.0   1,141.3   (42.3 ) -3.7 %



 
Total preprints inserted  3,308.6   3,365.5   (56.9 ) -1.7 %



Advertising revenue and linage for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 declined compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to decreases in classified recruitment and general advertising, down $71.1 million, or 35.2%, and $10.4 million, or 6.6%, respectively.

Retail advertising decreased $1.3 million, or 0.2%, during the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to the same period last year on a 0.1% decline in full run linage. The decline was primarily due to continuing advertising softness in markets including, Kansas City, Akron and Charlotte.

General advertising revenue for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 was below the comparable period in 2001 by $10.4 million, or 6.6%, on a 7.4% decrease in full run linage. The largest decreases were in San Jose ($5.3 million or 24.5%), Saint Paul ($2.0 million or 26.3%) and Philadelphia ($1.6 million or 3.7%). The decrease in general advertising revenue was primarily due to reductions in the technology and travel categories.

20


Classified revenue was down $61.7 million, or 13.0%, in the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the first two quarters of 2001. Classified recruitment drove the decline, down $71.1 million, or 35.2%. While there were declines in recruitment revenue in most major markets during the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the same period in 2001, the following properties were responsible for the majority of the decrease: San Jose ($21.7 million or 60.5%), Philadelphia ($15.1 million or 34.3%), Kansas City ($5.9 million or 29.6%) and Fort Worth ($5.6 million or 37.2%). Partially offsetting these declines, classified automotive revenue increased 6.0%, with growth in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Fort Worth. Classified real estate revenue was also up 2.1%, due to increases in San Jose, Contra Costa, and Saint Paul.

Circulation revenue declined $8.2 million, or 3.2%, for the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the first two quarters of 2002, while average daily copies increased from the prior year’s first two quarters by 0.4% and Sunday copies decreased by 0.5%. The decrease in revenue was due to an increase in discounted orders and Sunday single copy price reductions in five markets.

Other revenue declined $5.1 million, or 11.0%, for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 with decreases in commercial printing and newsprint waste sales.

Operating Costs

The table below presents operating costs for newspaper operations for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
Operating costs          
 
  Labor and employee benefits  $   533,443   $   631,730   $    (98,287 ) -15.6 %
  Newsprint, ink and supplements  183,249   236,470   (53,221 ) -22.5 %
  Other operating costs  288,799   293,232   (4,433 ) -1.5 %
  Depreciation and amortization  59,009   89,817   (30,808 ) -34.3 %



      Total operating costs  $1,064,500   $1,251,249   $  (186,749 ) -14.9 %



Total operating costs were down $186.7 million, or 14.9%, in the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the first two quarters of 2001. Excluding the workforce reduction charge and the effect of the change in goodwill and other intangible amortization in 2001, total operating costs declined $77.8 million, or 6.8%.

Labor and employee benefits decreased $98.3 million, or 15.6%, in the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the first two quarters of 2001 as a result of a workforce reduction charge in 2001 of $78.5 million and a 1,925, or 10.1% decline in the number of FTEs. This was partially offset by a 3.0% average wage rate increase.

Newsprint, ink and supplements decreased in the first two quarters of 2002 from the same period in 2001 by $53.2 million, or 22.5%, due to a 20.1% decrease in the price per ton of newsprint and a 6.0% decline in consumption.

Other operating costs decreased in the first two quarters of 2002 from the same period in the prior year by $4.4 million, or 1.5%, primarily due to declines in bad debt expense and production costs.

21


Depreciation and amortization were down $30.8 million, or 34.3%, in the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the first two quarters of 2001. Not amortizing goodwill as a result of the adoption of SFAS 142 at the beginning of fiscal year 2002 caused an increase in operating income of $30.4 million, and an increase in net income of $27.6 million, or $.32 per share, in the first two quarters of 2002. Excluding the effect from the adoption of SFAS 142, depreciation and amortization expense decreased $376,000, or 0.6%.


ONLINE DIVISION

The table below presents operating results and related statistics for online operations for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 (in thousands):

Two Quarters Ended
June 30,
2002
  July 1,
2001
  Variance
  % Change
 
Operating revenue   $ 27,111   $ 21,065   $   6,046   28.7 %
 
Operating costs 
  Labor and employee benefits  14,490   17,492   (3,002 ) -17.2 %
  Other operating costs  16,798   21,052   (4,254 ) -20.2 %
  Depreciation and amortization  2,332   1,504   828   55.1 %



    Total operating costs  $ 33,620   $ 40,048   $  (6,428 ) -16.1 %



 
Operating Loss  $  (6,509 ) $(18,983 ) $ 12,474   65.7 %



 
Unique visitors  12,535   11,244   1,291   11.5 %



Operating revenue for the first two quarters of 2002 increased from the same period in 2001 primarily due to increases in recruitment packages and recruitment upsell. Reach for Knight Ridder Digital properties increased from 5.0% in the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 to 5.4% in the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 and resulted in an increase in unique visitors.

The decrease in labor and employee benefits for the first two quarters of 2002 compared to the same period in 2001 was primarily due to an FTE reduction of 121, or 32.2%. Other operating costs for the first two quarters of 2002 declined from the same period in 2001 due to decreases in content and wire service fees, advertising and promotion costs, and bad debt expense. Partially offsetting these decreases in other operating costs were increases in software costs and legal fees. Depreciation and amortization expense in the first two quarters of 2002 increased due to new Knight Ridder Digital offices and the implementation of a single digital platform.


CORPORATE AND OTHER NON-OPERATING ITEMS

Interest expense, net of interest income and capitalized interest, decreased $15.3 million, or 28.6%, from the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 due to a lower average debt balance and a lower weighted-average interest rate.

Equity in losses of unconsolidated companies and joint ventures for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 increased by $18.3 million from the comparable period in 2001. Contributing to the year-over-year increases were losses from newsprint mill investments (due to declining newsprint prices), Classified Ventures and Career Holdings (which included a $7.5 million charge in March related to management changes and workforce reduction). Partially offsetting these losses was an increase in earnings from the Seattle Times.

22


Losses from “Other, net” items for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 decreased $9.2 million from the same period in 2001 due to the pre-tax loss of $11.5 million on the sale and write-down of Internet-related investments during the first quarter of 2001.

The effective tax rate was 37.2% for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to 40.0% for the comparable period in 2001. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 2001 to 2002 was primarily due to amortization of non-deductible goodwill and certain other intangible assets in 2001.


LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flow from operations is the company’s primary source of liquidity. Management is focused on growing cash flow and on managing cash effectively. In addition, the company uses financial leverage to minimize the overall cost of capital and maintain adequate operating and financial flexibility.

The company invests excess cash in short-term investments to meet projected cash needs from operations, capital expenditures and other business purposes. The company supplements internally generated cash with a combination of short- and long-term borrowings. Commercial paper outstanding at June 30, 2002 was $402.9 million, with an average effective interest rate of 1.9%. As of June 30, 2002 the company’s $895 million revolving credit agreement, which backs up the commercial paper outstanding, had remaining availability of $491.4 million.

During the second quarter of 2001 and the first quarter of 2002, the company entered into certain interest rate swap agreements. The principal objective of such agreements is to maintain a roughly equal balance between fixed and floating interest rates in the company’s debt structure. The swap agreements expire at various dates in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 and convert an aggregate principal amount of $500 million of fixed rate, long-term debt into variable rate borrowings. The variable interest rates are based on 3- or 6-month LIBOR plus a rate spread. As of June 30, 2002 the weighted average variable interest rates under these agreements were 4.3% versus the fixed rates of 8.1%.

Cash provided by operating activities was $296.9 million for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 compared to $205.1 million for the two quarters ended July 1, 2001. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was due to higher net income (due to prior year workforce reduction charges of $78.5 million), the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (a non-cash charge to earnings), higher distributions in excess of earnings from investees (due to an increase in non-cash losses of equity investees), and due to increased accruals for federal and state income taxes (due to timing of payments). These increases are offset by a $40 million cash contribution to certain defined benefit pension plans made during the second quarter of 2002.

Cash required for investing activities in the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 was $32.7 million compared to $42.4 million in the first two quarters of 2001. The decrease in cash required was due to higher proceeds from the sale of investments offset by lower capital expenditures.

23


Cash required for financing activities for the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 was $263.2 million compared to $172.7 million for the two quarters ended July 1, 2001. The increase in cash required for financing activities was due to the $124.3 million reduction of debt. During the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 the company repurchased a total of 2.1 million common shares at a total cost of $143.9 million and an average cost of $67.06 per share. At June 30, 2002 the company has remaining authorization to repurchase 3.3 million shares of its common stock. The company received $63.9 million from the issuance of shares to employees under the company’s stock option and stock purchase plans.

For the two quarters ended June 30, 2002 the company’s interest coverage ratio (defined as operating income plus depreciation and amortization divided by interest expense), was 8.8 to 1 compared to 4.8 to 1 for the same period in 2001. The increase in the interest coverage ratio from the two quarters ended July 1, 2001 was due to an increase in operating income and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in interest expense as a result of a lower average debt balance and a decline in interest rates. The company’s recurring cash flow to debt ratio , was 25.5% as of the second quarter of 2002 compared to 30.4% as of the second quarter of 2001. Recurring cash flow is defined as net income plus depreciation and amortization for the previous four quarters divided by debt. The calculation excludes the 53rd week in 2000, gains and losses on investments in all affected quarters, severance expense in the fourth quarter of 2000, the workforce reduction charge in the second quarter of 2001, and the impact of the change in accounting for amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets in all years.

The company’s operations have historically generated strong positive cash flow, which, along with the company’s commercial paper program, revolving credit line and ability to issue public debt, have provided adequate liquidity to meet the company’s short- and long-term cash requirements, including requirements for working capital and capital expenditures.

24


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The company has no material changes to the disclosure made on this matter in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001.

PART II —OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

             Refer to Part 1, Item 1, Note 6, incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

             None.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

             None.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

             At the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held on April 23, 2002, shareholders approved the following:

(a)  

A proposal to elect 5 directors; four for a three-year term ending in 2005 and one for a one-year term ending 2003, as follows:


Common Stock Voted
   For Withheld
           
  James I. Cash, Jr 76,767,591   837,138  
 Patricia Mitchell 75,674,765   1,929,964  
 P. Anthony Ridder 76,707,499   897,230  
 Randall L. Tobias 76,739,821   864,908  
 John E. Warnock 75,679,663   1,925,066  
 
 Continuing Directors:
 
 Kathleen F. Feldstein
 Thomas P. Gerrity
 Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer
 M. Kenneth Oshman
 Gonzalo F. Valdes-Fauli
 John L. Weinberg

25


(b)  

A proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst &Young LLP as independent auditors of the company for the year 2002, as follows:


  Common Stock Voted
  For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes
       
76,299,095  1,005,389  300,245 

(c)  

A proposal to approve an amendment to the company’s Employee Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares available for grant by four million, as follows:


  Common Stock Voted
  For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes
       
48,358,913  27,563,448  1,682,367 



Item 5.  Other Information

              None.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

              None.

26


SIGNATURE

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

  KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
(Registrant)


   
Date: August 09, 2002 /s/ GARY R. EFFREN                          
  Gary R. Effren
  Senior Vice President/Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Chief Accounting Officer and Duly
Authorized Officer of Registrant)

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