CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tribune Publishing Company (NYSE: TPUB):
2016 First Quarter Summary:
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Q1 GAAP Measures
- Total Revenues of $398 million, flat with prior-year quarter
- Including Employee Voluntary Separation Program (EVSP) costs, and restructuring and transaction costs, Net Loss was $6 million or Diluted Loss per Share of $0.22
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Q1 Non-GAAP Measures
- Adjusted Net Income of $7 million and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.23, excluding EVSP costs, and restructuring and transaction costs
- Adjusted EBITDA of $34 million, up $12 million or 52% from the prior-year quarter
- Q1 Total Digital Revenues of $55 million, up 15% from the prior-year quarter
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2016 Guidance
- Total Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2016 of $166 - $172 million
- Total Revenue guidance for 2016 of $1.60 - $1.625 billion
Tribune Publishing Company (NYSE: TPUB) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 27, 2016. Management uses non-GAAP measures to enhance comparability of operating results.
“Our results for the first quarter were in line with our expectations driven by good momentum in digital and increased circulation revenue offset by a decline in advertising revenue,” said Justin Dearborn, CEO. “We are at the very early stages of executing our clear plan to transform Tribune Publishing by increasing monetization of our important brands, capitalizing on the global potential of the LA Times, and significantly accelerating our conversion of content to revenue through an enhanced digital strategy. As we execute our plan, we are confident in our ability to deliver value for our shareholders.”
“We have strengthened our financial position in the first quarter by expanding margins, delivering solid growth in Adjusted EBITDA and ended the quarter with a cash balance of $96 million,” said Terry Jimenez, CFO of Tribune Publishing. “This will provide operating flexibility and the ability to target investments in digital and other key areas where we believe we can achieve significant returns on investment.”
2016 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
Total Revenues in the first quarter of 2016 were flat at $398.2 million compared to $398.3 million in the first quarter of 2015. Total Revenues, excluding revenues from The San Diego Union-Tribune, were $368.7 million. Advertising revenues were $215 million in the first quarter of 2016, down 4.4% from the prior-year quarter. First quarter advertising revenues, excluding advertising revenues from The San Diego Union-Tribune, declined by 12.4% as some softening was experienced in print advertising. Circulation revenues of $122 million were up 11.4% in the quarter compared to the prior-year quarter and increased 1.7% from last year excluding revenues from The San Diego Union-Tribune. Other revenue declined by $3 million as gains in Content Syndication and Other were offset by declines in Direct Mail and Marketing and Commercial Print and Delivery. Total Digital Revenues for first quarter of 2016 was $55 million or an increase of 15% from the prior-year quarter.
Total Operating Expenses, including depreciation and amortization, for the first quarter of 2016 were $402 million compared to $387 million in the first quarter of 2015. First quarter total operating expenses for 2016 included $8 million related to the Employee Voluntary Separation Program (EVSP) along with $14 million in restructuring and transaction costs. Total operating expenses, adjusted to exclude the impact of expenses that are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth in the Non-GAAP reconciliations below, and expenses relating to The San Diego Union-Tribune, resulted in Adjusted total operating expenses of $340 million, or a decline of $35.7 million from the prior-year quarter.
Net income (loss) for the first quarter of 2016 was a $6 million loss, which included a pre-tax $8 million EVSP charge and $14 million of restructuring and transaction costs. Excluding the impact of these charges, adjusted net income increased to $6.6 million, up 23% for the first quarter of 2016 compared to the prior-year quarter.
Earnings per share for the 2016 first quarter, on a fully diluted basis, was a loss of ($0.22), which included the previously mentioned EVSP charge and restructuring and transaction costs. Before the impact of these charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 10% to $0.23 for the quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2016 was $34 million, up $12 million from the first quarter of 2015. Cash outlays for severance, including the EVSP, and restructuring and transaction costs for the first quarter totaled $22 million.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities for the first quarter of 2016 was $28 million and capital expenditures for the first quarter were $5 million. Cash balance as of March 27, 2016 totaled $96 million.
Conference Call Webcast
The Company’s earnings conference call will be held at 4 p.m. CT today, May 4, and will be accessible live to the public via webcast and on dial-in conference lines. To access the live webcast and view materials related to the earnings announcement, please visit investor.tribpub.com. Participants can pre-register for the call using the following link: http://dpregister.com/10084744. Participants who pre-register will be given a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call, bypassing the live operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. For those who do not pre-register, please dial 1-877-317-2511 in the U.S. or 1-412-317-2511 internationally at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start. The conference call will be “listen only” for participants other than Tribune Publishing management and financial analysts. The conference call will be available on-demand via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, approximately one hour after conclusion of the call. The audio also will be available for one year on the Company’s website, and the replay via telephone will be available until May 11, 2016. To access the replay via telephone, dial 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. or 1-412-317-0088 internationally, code 10084744.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To provide investors with additional information regarding Tribune Publishing’s financial results, this press release includes references to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted total operating expenses, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS. These are not measures presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP) and Tribune Publishing’s use of the terms Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted total operating expenses, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS may vary from that of others in the Company’s industry. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted total operating expenses, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), income from operations, operating expenses, net income (loss) per diluted share, revenues or any other performance measures derived in accordance with US GAAP as measures of operating performance or liquidity. Further information regarding Tribune Publishing’s presentation of these measures, including a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted total operating expenses, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS to the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measure, is included below in this press release.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding Tribune Publishing’s expectations regarding its strategic plan, operating flexibility, investment strategy, and 2016 guidance. Statements containing words such as "may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “projections,” “continue,” “business outlook,” “estimate,” “outlook,” or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Differences in Tribune Publishing's actual results from those described in these forward-looking statements may result from actions taken by Tribune Publishing as well as from risks and uncertainties beyond Tribune Publishing’s control. These risks and uncertainties include competition and other economic conditions including fragmentation of the media landscape and competition from other media alternatives; changes in advertising demand, circulation levels and audience shares; the Company’s ability to develop and grow its online businesses; the Company’s reliance on revenue from printing and distributing third-party publications; changes in newsprint prices; macroeconomic trends and conditions; the Company’s ability to adapt to technological changes; the Company’s ability to realize benefits or synergies from acquisitions or divestitures or to operate its businesses effectively following acquisitions or divestitures; the Company’s success in implementing expense mitigation efforts; the Company’s reliance on third-party vendors for various services; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or tax-related proceedings or audits; the Company's ability to attract and retain employees; the Company’s ability to satisfy pension and other postretirement employee benefit obligations; changes in accounting standards; the effect of labor strikes, lockouts and labor negotiations; regulatory and judicial rulings; the Company’s indebtedness and ability to comply with debt covenants applicable to its debt facilities; the Company’s ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; the Company’s ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on acceptable terms; and other events beyond the Company’s control that may result in unexpected adverse operating results. The Company’s actual results could also be impacted by the other risks detailed from time to time in its publicly filed documents, including in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
ABOUT TRIBUNE PUBLISHING
Tribune Publishing Company (NYSE: TPUB) is a diversified multiplatform media and marketing-solutions company that delivers innovative experiences for audiences and advertisers. The Company’s diverse portfolio of iconic news and information brands includes 11 award-winning major daily titles, more than 60 digital properties and more than 180 verticals in markets, including Los Angeles; San Diego; Chicago; South Florida; Orlando; Baltimore; Carroll County and Annapolis, Md.; Hartford, Conn.; Allentown, Pa., and Newport News, Va. Tribune Publishing also offers an array of customized marketing solutions, and operates a number of niche products, including Hoy, El Sentinel and VidaLatina making Tribune Publishing the country’s largest Spanish-language publisher. Tribune Publishing is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, please visit www.tribpub.com.
Exhibits:
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Non-GAAP Reconciliations - Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
Non-GAAP Reconciliations - Total Operating Expenses to Adjusted Total Operating Expenses
Non-GAAP Reconciliations - Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
(TPUB-F)
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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| Three months ended | |||||||
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March 27, |
March 29, 2015 |
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| Operating revenues: (1) | |||||||
| Advertising | $ | 214,683 | $ | 224,470 | |||
| Circulation | 121,750 | 109,283 | |||||
| Other | 61,786 | 64,521 | |||||
| Total operating revenues | 398,219 | 398,274 | |||||
| Operating expenses (2) | 402,124 | 387,378 | |||||
| Income from operations | (3,905 | ) | 10,896 | ||||
| Loss on equity investments, net | (129 | ) | (57) | ||||
| Interest expense, net | (6,744 | ) | (5,867) | ||||
| Reorganization items, net | (94 | ) | (601) | ||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (10,872 | ) | 4,371 | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (4,409 | ) | 1,856 | ||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (6,463 | ) | $ | 2,515 | ||
| Net income (loss) per common share: | |||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.10 | ||
| Diluted | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.10 | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
| Basic | 29,334 | 25,495 | |||||
| Diluted | 29,334 | 25,790 | |||||
| Dividends declared per common share: | $ | — | $ | 0.175 | |||
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See accompanying pages for notes. |
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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Note (1) - Operating Revenues for the three months ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 |
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| Three months ended | |||||||||||
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March 27, 2016 |
March 29, 2015 |
% Change | |||||||||
| Advertising (1a) | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 127,984 | $ | 130,565 | (2.0 | %) | |||||
| National | 34,257 | 37,050 | (7.5 | %) | |||||||
| Classified | 52,442 | 56,855 | (7.8 | %) | |||||||
| Total advertising | 214,683 | 224,470 | (4.4 | %) | |||||||
| Circulation | 121,750 | 109,283 | 11.4 | % | |||||||
| Other revenue | |||||||||||
| Commercial print and delivery | 35,315 | 37,078 | (4.8 | %) | |||||||
| Direct mail and marketing | 14,961 | 16,328 | (8.4 | %) | |||||||
| Content syndication and other | 11,510 | 11,115 | 3.6 | % | |||||||
| Total other revenues | 61,786 | 64,521 | (4.2 | %) | |||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 398,219 | $ | 398,274 | — | % | |||||
| Note (1a) | Three months ended | ||||||||||
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March 27, 2016 |
March 29, 2015 |
% Change | |||||||||
| ROP (Run of Press) | $ | 102,313 | $ | 108,952 | (6.1 | %) | |||||
| Preprint | 66,687 | 70,216 | (5.0 | %) | |||||||
| Digital | 45,683 | 45,302 | 0.8 | % | |||||||
| Total advertising | $ | 214,683 | $ | 224,470 | (4.4 | %) | |||||
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Note (2) - Operating Expenses for the three months ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015 |
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| Three months ended | |||||||||||
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March 27, 2016 |
March 29, 2015 |
% Change | |||||||||
| Compensation | $ | 162,100 | $ | 149,231 | 8.6 | % | |||||
| Circulation distribution | 73,056 | 70,706 | 3.3 | % | |||||||
| Newsprint and ink | 25,978 | 31,295 | (17.0 | %) | |||||||
| Outside services | 43,752 | 39,355 | 11.2 | % | |||||||
| Occupancy | 15,368 | 15,060 | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Promotion and marketing | 11,905 | 12,635 | (5.8 | %) | |||||||
| Outside printing and production | 10,902 | 12,184 | (10.5 | %) | |||||||
| Affiliate fees | 12,919 | 12,667 | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Other general and administrative | 32,020 | 31,536 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 14,124 | 12,709 | 11.1 | % | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 402,124 | $ | 387,378 | 3.8 | % | |||||
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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March 27, 2016 |
December 27, |
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| Assets | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 95,794 | $ | 40,832 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 198,049 | 240,813 | ||||||
| Inventories | 15,277 | 13,688 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 21,588 | 16,824 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 330,708 | 312,157 | ||||||
| Net Properties, Plant and Equipment | 136,838 | 144,539 | ||||||
| Other Assets | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 123,992 | 123,992 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 132,526 | 133,862 | ||||||
| Investments and other assets | 109,093 | 118,416 | ||||||
| Total other assets | 365,611 | 376,270 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 833,157 | $ | 832,966 | ||||
| Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 21,949 | $ | 21,826 | ||||
| Accounts payable | 66,000 | 80,881 | ||||||
| Other | 201,855 | 210,723 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 289,804 | 313,430 | ||||||
| Non-Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term debt | 363,366 | 367,847 | ||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 157,808 | 166,087 | ||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 521,174 | 533,934 | ||||||
| Equity | ||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 22,179 | (14,398 | ) | |||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 833,157 | $ | 832,966 | ||||
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA: |
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| Three months ended | |||||||||||
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March 27, 2016 |
March 29, 2015 |
% Change | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (6,463 | ) | $ | 2,515 | * | |||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (4,409 | ) | 1,856 | * | |||||||
| Loss on equity investments, net | 129 | 57 | * | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 6,744 | 5,867 | 14.9 | % | |||||||
| Reorganization items, net | 94 | 601 | (84.4 | %) | |||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | (3,905 | ) | 10,896 | * | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 14,124 | 12,709 | 11.1 | % | |||||||
| Restructuring and transaction costs(1) | 13,986 | 4,782 | * | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,619 | 1,530 | 5.8 | % | |||||||
| Employee voluntary separation program | 7,804 | — | * | ||||||||
| Gain from termination of post-retirement benefits (2) | — | (7,799 | ) | * | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 33,628 | $ | 22,118 | 52.0 | % | |||||
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* Represents positive or negative change in excess of 100% |
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(1) - Restructuring and transaction costs include costs related to Tribune Publishing's internal restructuring, such as severance and IT outsourcing costs, and transaction costs related to completed and potential acquisitions.
(2) - In the first quarter of 2015, the Company did not deduct a gain of $7.8 million related to the termination of certain postretirement benefits in the determination of Adjusted EBITDA. Management reassessed this gain and determined it is expected to be a non-recurring item and should be deducted in the determination of Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, the 2015 Adjusted EBITDA as presented, includes such adjustment for the non-recurring gain from termination of certain post-retirement benefits.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, income taxes, loss on early debt extinguishment, interest expense, other (expense) income, realized gain (loss) on investments, stock-based compensation expense, reorganization items, restructuring charges, transaction expenses, depreciation and amortization, net income attributable to non-controlling interests, and certain unusual and non-recurring items (including spin-related costs). Management believes that because adjusted Adjusted EBITDA excludes (i) certain non-cash expenses (such as depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and gain/loss on equity investments) and (ii) expenses that are not reflective of the Company’s core operating results over time (such as restructuring costs, including the employee voluntary separation program and gain/losses on employee benefit plan terminations, litigation or dispute settlement charges or gains, and transaction-related costs), this measure provides investors with additional useful information to measure the company’s financial performance, particularly with respect to changes in performance from period to period. The Company's management uses Adjusted EBITDA (a) as a measure of operating performance; (b) for planning and forecasting in future periods; and (c) in communications with the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the Company’s financial performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA, or a similarly calculated measure, is used as the basis for certain financial maintenance covenants that the Company is subject to in connection with certain credit facilities. Since not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and should not be used by investors as a substitute or alternative to net income or any measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Instead, management believes Adjusted EBITDA should be used to supplement the Company’s financial measures derived in accordance with GAAP to provide a more complete understanding of the trends affecting the business.
Although Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluations of companies, Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for, or more meaningful than, amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations to using non-GAAP measures as an analytical tool are: they do not reflect the Company’s interest income and expense, or the requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on the Company’s debt; they do not reflect future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; and although depreciation and amortization charges are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and non-GAAP measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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Reconciliation of Total Operating Expenses to Adjusted Total Operating Expenses(1): |
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| Three Months Ended March 27, 2016 | Three Months Ended March 29, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP | Adjustments | Adjusted | GAAP | Adjustments | Adjusted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation | $ | 162,100 | $ | (24,210 | ) | $ | 137,890 | $ | 149,231 | $ | 6,682 | $ | 155,913 | ||||||||||
| Circulation distribution | 73,056 | (6,003 | ) | 67,053 | 70,706 | — | 70,706 | ||||||||||||||||
| Newsprint and ink | 25,978 | (2,643 | ) | 23,335 | 31,295 | — | 31,295 | ||||||||||||||||
| Outside services | 43,752 | (9,761 | ) | 33,991 | 39,355 | (5,308 | ) | 34,047 | |||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 15,368 | (983 | ) | 14,385 | 15,060 | (247 | ) | 14,813 | |||||||||||||||
| Promotion and marketing | 11,905 | (1,544 | ) | 10,361 | 12,635 | — | 12,635 | ||||||||||||||||
| Outside printing and production | 10,902 | (696 | ) | 10,206 | 12,184 | — | 12,184 | ||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate fees | 12,919 | (8 | ) | 12,911 | 12,667 | — | 12,667 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other general and administrative | 32,020 | (1,663 | ) | 30,357 | 31,536 | 360 | 31,896 | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 14,124 | (14,124 | ) | — | 12,709 | (12,709 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 402,124 | $ | (61,635 | ) | $ | 340,489 | $ | 387,378 | $ | (11,222 | ) | $ | 376,156 | |||||||||
(1)Adjusted total operating expenses is defined and calculated differently from the Adjusted cash operating expenses measure the Company has reported in prior quarters. The following items include expenses in the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA: Compensation, Outside services, Occupancy, Other general and administrative and Depreciation and amortization. All of the items include expenses relating to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Adjusted Total Operating Expenses
Adjusted total operating expenses consist of total operating expenses per the income statement, adjusted to exclude the impact of items listed in the Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP reconciliation and expenses relating to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Management believes that Adjusted total operating expenses is informative to investors as it enhances the investors' overall understanding of the financial performance of the Company's business as they analyze current results compared to prior periods.
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TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (In thousands) (Unaudited) |
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Preliminary |
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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS: |
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| Three months ended | ||||||||||
| March 27, 2016 | March 29, 2015 | |||||||||
| Earnings | Diluted EPS | Earnings | Diluted EPS | |||||||
| Net income (loss) - GAAP | $(6,463 | ) | $(0.22 | ) | $2,515 | $0.10 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income, net of 40% tax: | ||||||||||
| Restructuring and transaction costs | 8,392 | 0.29 | 2,869 | 0.11 | ||||||
| Employee voluntary separation program | 4,682 | 0.16 | — | — | ||||||
| Adjusted net income - Non-GAAP | $6,611 | $0.23 | $5,384 | $0.21 | ||||||
Adjusted Net income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
Adjusted net income is defined as Net income - GAAP excluding the following adjustments: Restructuring, acquisition and remediation costs and Employee voluntary separation program, net of the impact of income taxes.
Adjusted Diluted EPS computes Adjusted net income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
Management believes Adjusted Net income and Adjusted Diluted EPS are informative to investors as they enhance investors' overall understanding of the financial performance of the Company's business as they analyze current results compared to future recurring projections.
