A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC) today reported a fourth
quarter 2020 net loss of $1.7 million, or
$(0.08) per share, and an operating loss of $4.0 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company reported a net loss of
$1.1 million, or $(0.05) per share, and an operating loss of
$2.4 million.
For the fourth quarter of 2020, on a non-GAAP
basis, A. H. Belo reported operating income adjusted for certain
items (“adjusted operating income (loss)”) of $0.5 million, an
improvement of $0.4 million when compared to adjusted
operating income of $0.1 million reported in the fourth
quarter of 2019.
For the full year 2020, the Company reported a net
loss of $6.9 million, or $(0.32) per share, and an
operating loss of $15.6 million. For the full year 2019, the
Company reported net income of $9.3 million, or $0.43 per
fully diluted share, and operating income of $9.5 million.
2019 income was driven by a pretax gain of $25.9 million from
the sale of real estate previously used as the Company’s
headquarters.
For the full year 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, the
Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $4.9 million, a
decline of $2.8 million when compared to an adjusted operating
loss of $2.1 million reported for the full year 2019.
Robert W. Decherd, chairman, president and Chief
Executive Officer, said, “The Company's business
activities stabilized to some extent in the second half of
2020 as the effects of the pandemic became clearer, enabling our
management teams to make further operating adjustments that will
enable A. H. Belo and The Dallas Morning News
to carry on during another year of challenging conditions in 2021.
The Board views these two calendar years as a single time frame
during which the Company is responding ably to significant revenue
and market pressures.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the way every colleague has
acclimated to the realities imposed by the pandemic. Working
remotely since one year ago this month, our News Department,
Belo + Company, and our business operations teams have
excelled. The News Department has admirably fulfilled the vital,
front-line role of providing meaningful news, information and
insight when our region and our country have needed these most. Our
300-plus colleagues at the North Plant have worked tirelessly to
print and distribute The News without missing a cycle, while
tending to their personal situations away from work.
“Throughout 2020, the Board supported management's
recommendations to continue making investments in operations that
will enable the Company to emerge from the pandemic as a
sustainably profitable digital news organization. Grant Moise and
Katy Murray are leading efforts internally during 2021 aimed at
defining this path forward.
“A key corporate objective for 2021 is to address the Company's
compliance with New York Stock Exchange listing requirements.
A. H. Belo became non-compliant at the end of the third
quarter of 2020 when the Company did not meet the NYSE minimums for
market capitalization and shareholders' equity. We have been in
steady contact with the NYSE and are studying options to regain
compliance. Management is discussing these with the Board and
expects to have a plan for proceeding soon.
“The outstanding balance of the Company's note to Charter
Holdings in connection with the 2019 sale of our former
headquarters in Downtown Dallas is due on June 30 of this year.
Charter made its most recent interest payment on the note timely
and continues to confirm its commitment to fulfilling its
obligation to A. H. Belo. However, new commercial real estate
development everywhere has been impacted by the economic effects of
the pandemic, so we are monitoring this situation closely and are
in contact with Charter's principal.”
Fourth Quarter Results
Total revenue was $40.8 million in the fourth quarter of
2020, a decrease of $6.0 million or 12.8 percent when
compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
Revenue from advertising and marketing services, including print
and digital revenues, was $19.8 million in the fourth quarter
of 2020, a decrease of $5.1 million or 20.4 percent when
compared to the $24.9 million reported for the fourth quarter
of 2019. The decline is primarily due to a $3.7 million
reduction in print advertising revenue, which has been
significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Circulation revenue was $16.7 million, a decrease of
$0.5 million or 2.8 percent when compared to the fourth
quarter of 2019. Home delivery revenue decreased 3.7 percent
and single copy revenue decreased 25.7 percent, primarily due
to the significantly reduced number of locations selling newspapers
as a result of the pandemic, partially offset by an increase of
$0.5 million or 39.7 percent in digital-only subscription
revenue.
Printing, distribution and other revenue decreased
$0.4 million, or 9.5 percent, to $4.3 million,
primarily due to a reduction in brokered and commercial printing,
partially offset by an increase in shared mail packaging
revenue.
Total consolidated operating expense in the fourth quarter of
2020, on a GAAP basis, was $44.8 million, an improvement of
$4.4 million or 8.9 percent compared to the fourth
quarter of 2019. The improvement is primarily due to expense
decreases of $1.7 million in newsprint, ink and other
supplies, $1.6 million in outside services, $0.5 million
in distribution, $0.4 million in employee compensation and
benefits, and $0.3 million in travel and entertainment.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, adjusted
operating expense was $46.1 million, an improvement of
$2.6 million or 5.4 percent when compared to
$48.7 million of adjusted operating expense in the fourth
quarter of 2019. The improvement is primarily due to expense
decreases in newsprint, distribution, employee compensation and
benefits, and reductions from continued management of discretionary
spending.
Full Year Results
Total revenue was $154.3 million for the full year 2020, a
decrease of $29.3 million or 15.9 percent when compared
to the prior year period.
Revenue from advertising and marketing services, including print
and digital revenues, was $72.2 million in 2020, a decrease of
$23.6 million or 24.7 percent when compared to the
$95.9 million reported for the full year 2019. Print
advertising revenue declined $15.9 million. Digital
advertising and marketing services revenue decreased
$7.7 million, primarily due to the termination of
The Dallas Morning News’ affiliate relationship with
Cars.com in September 2019.
Circulation revenue was $64.9 million, a decrease of
$3.3 million or 4.9 percent when compared to the prior
year period. Home delivery revenue decreased 5.5 percent and
single copy revenue decreased 24.7 percent, primarily as a
result of the pandemic, partially offset by an increase of
$1.6 million or 32.0 percent in digital-only subscription
revenue.
Printing, distribution and other revenue decreased
$2.3 million, or 11.8 percent, to $17.2 million for
the full year 2020, primarily due to a reduction in brokered and
commercial printing.
Total consolidated operating expense for the full year 2020, on
a GAAP basis, was $169.9 million, an improvement of
$4.2 million or 2.4 percent compared to full year 2019.
Excluding the 2019 gain of $25.9 million from the real estate
sale, operating expense improved $30.1 million or
15.0 percent. The improvement is primarily due to expense
decreases of $8.4 million in employee compensation and
benefits, $6.4 million in newsprint, ink and other supplies,
$6.3 million in outside services, $2.0 million in
depreciation, $1.4 million in distribution, $1.2 million
in advertising and promotion, and $0.9 million in travel and
entertainment.
For the full year 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, adjusted operating
expense was $170.6 million, an improvement of
$26.6 million or 13.5 percent when compared to
$197.2 million of adjusted operating expense reported for full
year 2019. The improvement is primarily due to expense decreases in
employee compensation and benefits, newsprint, distribution, and
reductions from continued management of discretionary spending
including additional measures the Company has taken this year in
order to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 743 employees, a
decrease of 87 or 10.5 percent when compared to the prior year
period. Cash and cash equivalents were $42.0 million and the
Company had no debt.
Non-GAAP Financial
Measures
Reconciliations of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating
income (loss), total net operating revenue to adjusted operating
revenue, and total operating costs and expense to adjusted
operating expense are included in the exhibits to this release.
Financial Results Conference Call
A. H. Belo Corporation will conduct a conference call on
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. CST to discuss
financial results. The conference call will be available via
webcast by accessing the Company’s website at
www.ahbelo.com/invest. An archive of the webcast will be available
at www.ahbelo.com in the Investor Relations section.
To access the listen-only conference call, dial 1-844-291-5490
and enter the following access code when prompted: 5801403. A
replay line will be available at 1-866-207-1041 from 12:00 p.m. CST
on March 9, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. CDT on
March 15, 2021. The access code for the replay is
3114516.
About A. H.
Belo Corporation
A. H. Belo Corporation is the leading local news and information
publishing company in Texas. The Company has a growing presence in
emerging media and digital marketing, and maintains capabilities
related to commercial printing, distribution and direct mail. A. H.
Belo delivers news and information in innovative ways to a broad
range of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. For
additional information, visit www.ahbelo.com or email
invest@ahbelo.com.
Statements in this communication concerning A. H. Belo
Corporation’s business outlook or future economic performance,
revenues, expenses, and other financial
and non-financial items that are not historical facts,
including statements of the Company’s expectations relating to its
plans to regain NYSE compliance, are “forward-looking statements”
as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties are, in
most instances, beyond the Company’s control, and include
changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions;
consumers’ tastes; newsprint prices; program costs; labor
relations; cybersecurity incidents; technological obsolescence; and
the current and future impacts of the COVID-19 public health
crisis. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that the board
of directors will approve a quarterly dividend in future quarters;
as well as other risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K and in the Company’s other public disclosures
and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements, which are as of the date of this
filing, are not updated to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of the statement.
A. H. Belo Corporation and
SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of
Operations
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Years Ended December 31, |
In thousands, except share and per share amounts
(unaudited) |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
Net Operating Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising and marketing services |
|
$ |
19,822 |
|
|
$ |
24,899 |
|
|
$ |
72,214 |
|
|
$ |
95,856 |
|
Circulation |
|
|
16,687 |
|
|
|
17,165 |
|
|
|
64,935 |
|
|
|
68,260 |
|
Printing, distribution and other |
|
|
4,290 |
|
|
|
4,738 |
|
|
|
17,150 |
|
|
|
19,447 |
|
Total net operating revenue |
|
|
40,799 |
|
|
|
46,802 |
|
|
|
154,299 |
|
|
|
183,563 |
|
Operating Costs and
Expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee compensation and benefits |
|
|
19,260 |
|
|
|
19,678 |
|
|
|
71,772 |
|
|
|
80,134 |
|
Other production, distribution and operating costs |
|
|
21,050 |
|
|
|
23,473 |
|
|
|
80,008 |
|
|
|
90,673 |
|
Newsprint, ink and other supplies |
|
|
2,150 |
|
|
|
3,829 |
|
|
|
10,168 |
|
|
|
16,570 |
|
Depreciation |
|
|
1,696 |
|
|
|
1,975 |
|
|
|
7,016 |
|
|
|
8,983 |
|
Amortization |
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
255 |
|
|
|
495 |
|
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of assets, net |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
(24,540 |
) |
Asset impairments |
|
|
563 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
563 |
|
|
|
1,709 |
|
Total operating costs and expense |
|
|
44,817 |
|
|
|
49,216 |
|
|
|
169,872 |
|
|
|
174,024 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
(4,018 |
) |
|
|
(2,414 |
) |
|
|
(15,573 |
) |
|
|
9,539 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
2,236 |
|
|
|
1,046 |
|
|
|
7,014 |
|
|
|
4,169 |
|
Income (Loss) Before
Income Taxes |
|
|
(1,782 |
) |
|
|
(1,368 |
) |
|
|
(8,559 |
) |
|
|
13,708 |
|
Income tax provision (benefit) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(272 |
) |
|
|
(1,687 |
) |
|
|
4,416 |
|
Net Income
(Loss) |
|
$ |
(1,739 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,096 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,872 |
) |
|
$ |
9,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share
Basis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.32 |
) |
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
Number of common shares used in the per share calculation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
|
21,410,423 |
|
|
|
21,438,953 |
|
|
|
21,410,423 |
|
|
|
21,546,257 |
|
A. H. Belo Corporation and
SubsidiariesConsolidated Balance
Sheets
|
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
In thousands (unaudited) |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
42,015 |
|
|
$ |
48,626 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
16,562 |
|
|
|
18,441 |
|
Notes receivable |
|
|
22,775 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
6,754 |
|
|
|
7,737 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
88,106 |
|
|
|
74,804 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
11,959 |
|
|
|
18,453 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
|
20,406 |
|
|
|
21,371 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
Deferred income taxes, net |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
Long-term note receivable |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,400 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
2,604 |
|
|
|
3,648 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
123,215 |
|
|
$ |
141,045 |
|
Liabilities and
Shareholders’ Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
7,759 |
|
|
$ |
6,103 |
|
Accrued compensation and other current liabilities |
|
|
10,829 |
|
|
|
13,337 |
|
Contract liabilities |
|
|
12,896 |
|
|
|
12,098 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
31,484 |
|
|
|
31,538 |
|
Long-term pension liabilities |
|
|
18,520 |
|
|
|
23,039 |
|
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
|
|
21,890 |
|
|
|
23,120 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
4,913 |
|
|
|
5,611 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
76,807 |
|
|
|
83,308 |
|
Total shareholders' equity |
|
|
46,408 |
|
|
|
57,737 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
|
$ |
123,215 |
|
|
$ |
141,045 |
|
A. H. Belo Corporation - Non-GAAP
Financial MeasuresReconciliation of Operating
Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Years Ended December 31, |
In thousands (unaudited) |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
Total net operating revenue |
|
$ |
40,799 |
|
|
$ |
46,802 |
|
|
$ |
154,299 |
|
|
$ |
183,563 |
|
Total operating costs and expense |
|
|
44,817 |
|
|
|
49,216 |
|
|
|
169,872 |
|
|
|
174,024 |
|
Operating Income
(Loss) |
|
$ |
(4,018 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,414 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,573 |
) |
|
$ |
9,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net operating revenue |
|
$ |
40,799 |
|
|
$ |
46,802 |
|
|
$ |
154,299 |
|
|
$ |
183,563 |
|
Addback: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising contra revenue |
|
|
5,643 |
|
|
|
1,897 |
|
|
|
11,043 |
|
|
|
11,013 |
|
Circulation contra revenue |
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
452 |
|
Adjusted Operating
Revenue |
|
$ |
46,552 |
|
|
$ |
48,783 |
|
|
$ |
165,657 |
|
|
$ |
195,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs and expense |
|
$ |
44,817 |
|
|
$ |
49,216 |
|
|
$ |
169,872 |
|
|
$ |
174,024 |
|
Addback: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising contra expense |
|
|
5,643 |
|
|
|
1,897 |
|
|
|
11,043 |
|
|
|
11,013 |
|
Circulation contra expense |
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
452 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
1,696 |
|
|
|
1,975 |
|
|
|
7,016 |
|
|
|
8,983 |
|
Amortization |
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
255 |
|
|
|
495 |
|
Severance expense |
|
|
2,127 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
2,748 |
|
|
|
1,678 |
|
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of assets, net |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
(24,540 |
) |
Asset impairments |
|
|
563 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
563 |
|
|
|
1,709 |
|
Adjusted Operating
Expense |
|
$ |
46,086 |
|
|
$ |
48,704 |
|
|
$ |
170,558 |
|
|
$ |
197,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating revenue |
|
$ |
46,552 |
|
|
$ |
48,783 |
|
|
$ |
165,657 |
|
|
$ |
195,028 |
|
Adjusted operating expense |
|
|
46,086 |
|
|
|
48,704 |
|
|
|
170,558 |
|
|
|
197,164 |
|
Adjusted Operating
Income (Loss) |
|
$ |
466 |
|
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
$ |
(4,901 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,136 |
) |
The Company calculates adjusted operating income (loss) by
adjusting operating income (loss) to exclude depreciation,
amortization, severance expense, (gain) loss on sale/disposal of
assets, and asset impairments (“adjusted operating income (loss)”).
The Company believes that inclusion of certain noncash expenses and
other items in the results makes for more difficult comparisons
between years and with peer group companies.
The Company adopted the new revenue guidance (Topic 606) using
the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2018.
While the Company adjusts operating revenue and expense for
non-GAAP presentation, these adjustments have no effect on adjusted
operating income (loss).
Adjusted operating income (loss) is not a measure of financial
performance under generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”). Management uses adjusted operating income (loss) and
similar measures in internal analyses as supplemental measures of
the Company’s financial performance, and for performance
comparisons versus its peer group of companies. Management uses
this non-GAAP financial measure for the purposes of evaluating
consolidated Company performance. The Company therefore believes
that the non-GAAP measure presented provides useful information to
investors by allowing them to view the Company’s business through
the eyes of management and the Board of Directors, facilitating
comparison of results across historical periods and providing a
focus on the underlying ongoing operating performance of its
business. Adjusted operating income (loss) should not be considered
in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), cash flows
provided by (used for) operating activities or other comparable
measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, this
non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures
of other companies.
Contact:Katy Murray214-977-8869
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