The New York Times Company Reports 2012 Second-Quarter Results

NEW YORK--()--The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) announced today a 2012 second-quarter diluted loss per share from continuing operations of $.57 compared with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $.05 in the same period of 2011. The loss resulted from an estimated non-cash charge of $.85 per share for the write-down of goodwill at the About Group. Excluding severance, the write-down and other special items discussed below, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $.14 in the second quarter of 2012 compared with $.11 in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company had an operating loss of $143.6 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared with an operating profit of $31.5 million in the same period of 2011. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and special items, operating profit increased 6.5 percent to $78.1 million from $73.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.

“Our second-quarter results reflect our ongoing strides in repositioning the Times Company for an increasingly multiplatform future,” said Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, The New York Times Company. “The growth in operating profit, excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and special items, was largely driven by continued strength in circulation revenues, which offset advertising revenue declines and led to overall revenue growth of about 1 percent. Total Company circulation revenues rose 8 percent, led by the nearly 11 percent growth at The New York Times Media Group as we continued to expand our digital subscription base and grow our robust consumer revenue stream.

“At quarter end, total paid digital subscriptions across the Company were approximately 532,000, up 13 percent from 472,000 as of March 18, 2012, which was the one-year anniversary of NYTimes.com’s digital subscription launch. The growth in paid digital subscriptions benefited from our decision to move the gate on NYTimes.com from 20 to 10 free articles a month, and from a host of marketing and product initiatives that we have been rolling out this year.

“While the advertising market remains challenging, the rate of decline for the Company’s total advertising revenues moderated, due primarily to improved digital advertising revenue trends, compared with first-quarter 2012 levels. This was mainly due to more favorable advertising trends at the About Group, particularly for cost-per-click advertising. Although we recorded a non-cash charge in the quarter, the About Group continues to execute on its turnaround strategy and we expect it to be on track to post continued meaningful improvement in the second half of the year.

“Operating costs declined 1 percent as we remained diligent in managing expenses despite continued investment in digital operations and high-quality news and information across the Company.

“During the quarter we sold our remaining interest in Fenway Sports Group for $63 million. The sale of our entire stake over two years totaled $225 million, a three-fold return on the initial purchase price. The proceeds from this sale, along with solid cash flow from operations, further strengthened our liquidity position and we ended the quarter with total debt and capital lease obligations of $776 million and net debt of $206 million, down from $343 million at the end of the first quarter of 2012.”

Comparisons

Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are for the second quarter of 2012 to the second quarter of 2011. The results of the Regional Media Group, which had previously been included in the News Media Group, are reported within discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of the sale of the Group in the first quarter of 2012. This release includes non-GAAP financial measures, a discussion of management’s reasons for the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.

The second-quarter 2012 results included the following special items:

  • A $194.7 million ($126.1 million after tax or $.85 per share) estimated non-cash charge for the write-down of goodwill at the About Group.
  • A $37.8 million ($22.0 million after tax or $.15 per share) gain on the sale of the Company’s remaining 210 units in Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

The second-quarter 2011 results included the following special items:

  • A $9.2 million ($5.8 million after tax or $.04 per share) non-cash charge for the write-down of certain assets held for sale at the News Media Group.
  • A $4.2 million ($2.7 million after tax or $.02 per share) charge for a pension withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan at The Boston Globe.

In addition to these special items, the Company had $1.8 million ($1.1 million after tax or $.01 per share) in severance costs in the second quarter of 2012 compared with $1.8 million ($1.1 million after tax or $.00 per share) in the second quarter of 2011.

Second-Quarter Results from Continuing Operations

Revenues

Total revenues increased 0.6 percent to $515.2 million from $512.0 million. Advertising revenues decreased 6.8 percent, circulation revenues increased 8.3 percent and other revenues increased 9.2 percent.

Print advertising revenues decreased 8.0 percent. Digital advertising revenues decreased 4.0 percent led by declines at the About Group. Circulation revenues rose mainly as the addition of digital subscription offerings and the increase in home-delivery and weekday single-copy prices in January 2012 at The Times offset a decline in print copies sold across the News Media Group. Other revenues increased largely because of higher commercial printing revenues at the New England Media Group.

Operating Costs

Operating costs decreased 0.6 percent to $464.1 million from $467.0 million. Depreciation and amortization decreased to $25.2 million from $26.6 million.

Excluding depreciation, amortization and severance, operating costs decreased 0.3 percent to $437.1 million from $438.6 million mainly due to lower professional fees and distribution costs, offset in part by higher compensation and various other costs.

Second-Quarter Business Segment Results

News Media Group

Total News Media Group revenues increased 1.2 percent to $489.8 million from $484.1 million. Advertising revenues declined 6.6 percent, circulation revenues increased 8.3 percent and other revenues increased 9.8 percent.

Print and digital advertising revenues decreased 8.0 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Circulation revenues rose mainly as the addition of digital subscription offerings and the increase in home-delivery and weekday single-copy prices in January 2012 at The Times offset a decline in print copies sold across the News Media Group.

Operating costs decreased 0.8 percent to $437.6 million from $441.3 million. Excluding depreciation, amortization and severance, operating costs decreased 0.8 percent to $412.8 million from $416.0 million mainly due to lower distribution and promotion costs, offset by higher compensation costs.

Operating profit increased 77.5 percent to $52.2 million from $29.4 million. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and special items, operating profit increased 12.9 percent to $77.0 million from $68.1 million primarily due to higher circulation revenues.

About Group

About Group revenues decreased 8.7 percent to $25.4 million from $27.8 million mainly due to declines in both display and cost-per-click advertising. Display advertising revenues were lower in the quarter as the competitive landscape and uneven economic environment offset progress made in the rebuilding of About.com’s sales team. Cost-per-click advertising revenues reflect lower click-through rates, slightly offset by modest growth in page views and cost-per-click advertising rates.

About Group operating costs increased 6.9 percent to $17.5 million from $16.4 million. Excluding depreciation, amortization and severance, operating costs increased 15.1 percent to $15.2 million from $13.2 million primarily due to higher compensation, content costs and marketing expenses resulting from the launch of a new ad campaign.

The About Group had an operating loss of $186.8 million in the second quarter of 2012 driven by the estimated non-cash charge for the write-down of goodwill compared with operating profit of $11.5 million in the second quarter of 2011. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and the write-down, operating profit decreased 30.4 percent to $10.2 million from $14.6 million.

Corporate

Corporate operating costs decreased to $9.0 million from $9.4 million mainly driven by lower professional fees, partially offset by increases in various other costs.

Other Financial Data

Digital

Digital businesses include NYTimes.com, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com, About.com, other Company Web sites and related digital products. In the second quarter of 2012, total digital advertising revenues decreased 4.0 percent to $76.7 million from $79.9 million primarily due to lower revenues at the About Group. Digital advertising revenues as a percentage of total Company advertising revenues were 31.4 percent in the second quarter of 2012 compared with 30.5 percent in the second quarter of 2011.

Digital advertising revenues at the News Media Group decreased 1.6 percent to $52.6 million from $53.5 million mainly due to declines in national display and real estate classified advertising revenues. Digital advertising revenues as a percentage of total News Media Group advertising revenues were 23.9 percent in the second quarter of 2012 compared with 22.7 percent in the second quarter of 2011.

In the first half of 2012, the Company’s total digital advertising revenues decreased 7.2 percent to $147.8 million from $159.2 million in the first half of 2011. Digital advertising revenues at the News Media Group decreased 1.9 percent to $101.1 million from $103.1 million. Digital advertising revenues as a percentage of total Company advertising revenues were 30.7 percent for the first half of 2012 compared with 30.6 percent in the first half of 2011.

Paid subscribers to digital subscription packages, e-readers and replica editions of The Times and the International Herald Tribune totaled approximately 509,000 as of the end of the second quarter, an increase of approximately 12 percent since March 18, 2012. Paid digital subscribers to BostonGlobe.com and The Boston Globe’s e-readers and replica editions totaled approximately 23,000 as of the end of the second quarter, up approximately 28 percent since March 18, 2012.

Joint Ventures

Income from joint ventures was $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared with $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2011. Joint venture results for the second quarter of 2012 were primarily impacted by the change in accounting for the Company’s investment in FSG in the first quarter of 2012, offset in part by improved results for the paper mills. Effective with the sale of 100 units in FSG in February 2012, given the Company’s reduced ownership level and lack of influence on the operations of FSG, the Company no longer recognized its proportionate share of the operating results of FSG in results from joint ventures. In May 2012, the Company sold its remaining 210 units in FSG.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net decreased to $15.5 million from $25.2 million mainly due to the prepayment of the Company’s $250 million 14.053 percent senior notes in August 2011.

Income Taxes

The Company had an income tax benefit of $36.5 million (effective tax rate of 30.4 percent) in the second quarter of 2012 and an income tax benefit of $32.5 million (effective tax rate of 31.5 percent) in the first six months of 2012. The effective tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2012 was unfavorably impacted by the write-down of goodwill at the About Group.

The Company had an effective tax rate of 16.5 percent and 8.6 percent in the second quarter and the first six months of 2011, respectively. The effective tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 was affected by adjustments to reduce the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions and the favorable impact of state law changes.

Liquidity

The following table details the original maturities and carrying values of the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations as of June 24, 2012. Cash in the table below excludes restricted cash of approximately $24 million that is subject to certain collateral requirements. Net debt represents debt and capital lease obligations, net of cash and short-term investments. The Company believes net debt, a non-GAAP measure, provides a useful measure of the Company’s liquidity and overall debt position.

(in thousands)     June 24, 2012*

2012    4.610% senior notes

    $ 75,000

2015    5.0% senior notes

250,000

2016    6.625% senior notes

225,000

2019    Option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building

    250,000  
Total $ 800,000
Less: Unamortized amounts     (31,304 )
Carrying value of debt $ 768,696
Capital lease obligations     7,119  
Total debt and capital lease obligations $ 775,815
Less: Cash and short-term investments     (570,149 )
Net debt     $ 205,666  

*As of March 25, 2012, net debt was $342,937, reflecting $774,283 of total debt and capital lease obligations, less $431,346 of cash and short-term investments.

The Company’s liquidity position improved by approximately $139 million in the second quarter of 2012 from the first quarter of 2012 due to proceeds from the sale of the Company’s remaining 210 units in FSG and cash flows from operations.

As of June 24, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s $125 million revolving credit facility.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures totaled approximately $10 million in the second quarter of 2012, and approximately $17 million in the first six months of 2012.

Outlook

Total advertising revenue trends in the third quarter of 2012 are expected to improve from the second-quarter levels due to better digital advertising performance across the Company.

Total circulation revenues are projected to increase in the mid- to high-single digits in the third quarter of 2012 because of growth in digital subscriptions as well as from the print price increases implemented earlier this year.

The Company expects operating costs to increase in the low- to mid-single digits in the third quarter of 2012.

In addition, the Company expects the following on a pre-tax basis in 2012:

  • Results from joint ventures: $6 to $8 million,
  • Depreciation and amortization: $105 to $110 million,
  • Interest expense, net: $60 to $65 million, and
  • Capital expenditures: approximately $50 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company’s second-quarter 2012 earnings conference call will be held on Thursday, July 26, at 11:00 a.m. E.T. To access the call, dial 888-713-4487 (in the U.S.) and 913-981-5544 (international callers). Participants should dial into the conference call approximately 10 minutes before the start time. Online listeners can link to the live webcast at www.nytco.com/investors.

An archive of the webcast will be available beginning two hours after the call at www.nytco.com/investors. The archive will be available for approximately three months. An audio replay will be available at 888-203-1112 (in the U.S.) and 719-457-0820 (international callers) beginning approximately two hours after the call until 5 p.m. E.T. on Friday, July 27. The access code is 8424737.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include national and local conditions, as well as competition, that could influence the levels (rate and volume) of national, retail and classified advertising and circulation generated by our various markets, material increases in newsprint prices and the development of our digital businesses. They also include other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s publicly filed documents, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2011. 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.

The New York Times Company, a leading global, multimedia news and information company with 2011 revenues of $2.3 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, NYTimes.com, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com, About.com and related properties. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com

   

Exhibits:

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Segment Information
News Media Group Revenues by Operating Segment
Advertising Revenues by Category
Footnotes
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    Second Quarter       Six Months
2012     2011   % Change 2012     2011     % Change

Revenues

Advertising $ 244,259 $ 262,104 -6.8% $ 482,127 $ 521,035 -7.5%
Circulation 233,291 215,388

8.3%

 

460,285

422,316 9.0%
Other(a) 37,662   34,496  

9.2%

 

72,176   69,301   4.1%
Total revenues 515,212 511,988

0.6%

 

1,014,588 1,012,652 0.2%

Operating costs

Production costs 212,698 209,848

1.4%

 

425,890 424,854 0.2%
Selling, general and administrative costs 226,223 230,595 -1.9% 460,501 464,661 -0.9%
Depreciation and amortization(b) 25,183   26,600   -5.3% 57,473   52,273   9.9%
Total operating costs 464,104 467,043 -0.6% 943,864 941,788 0.2%
Write-down of assets(c) 194,732 9,225 * 194,732 9,225 *
Pension withdrawal expense(d)   4,228   N/A   4,228   N/A
Operating (loss)/profit (143,624 ) 31,492 * (124,008 ) 57,411 *
Gain on sale of investments(e) 37,797 N/A 55,645 5,898 *
Write-down of investments(f) N/A 4,900 N/A
Income/(loss) from joint ventures 1,079 2,791 -61.3% 1,050 (2,958 ) *
Interest expense, net 15,464   25,152   -38.5% 30,916   49,743   -37.8%
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes (120,212 ) 9,131 * (103,129 ) 10,608 *
Income tax benefit/(expense) 36,541   (1,505 ) * 32,465   (909 ) *
(Loss)/income from continuing operations (83,671 ) 7,626 * (70,664 ) 9,699 *
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(g) (4,505 ) (127,449 ) -96.5% 24,565   (124,296 ) *
Net loss (88,176 ) (119,823 ) -26.4% (46,099 ) (114,597 ) -59.8%
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest 27   105   -74.3% 80   298   -73.2%
Net loss attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders $ (88,149 ) $ (119,718 ) -26.4% $ (46,019 ) $ (114,299 ) -59.7%
 
Amounts attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders:
(Loss)/income from continuing operations $ (83,644 ) $ 7,731 * $ (70,584 ) $ 9,997 *
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (4,505 ) (127,449 ) -96.5% 24,565   (124,296 ) *
Net loss $ (88,149 ) $ (119,718 ) -26.4% $ (46,019 ) $ (114,299 ) -59.7%
 
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic 148,005 147,176

0.6%

 

147,936 146,976 0.7%
Diluted 148,005 151,802 -2.5% 147,936 152,945 -3.3%
 
Basic (loss)/earnings per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders:
(Loss)/income from continuing operations $ (0.57 ) $ 0.05 * $ (0.48 ) $ 0.07 *
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (0.03 ) (0.86 ) -96.5% 0.17   (0.85 ) *
Net loss $ (0.60 ) $ (0.81 ) -25.9% $ (0.31 ) $ (0.78 ) -60.3%
 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders:
(Loss)/income from continuing operations $ (0.57 ) $ 0.05 * $ (0.48 ) $ 0.06 *
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (0.03 ) (0.84 ) -96.4% 0.17   (0.81 ) *
Net loss $ (0.60 ) $ (0.79 ) -24.1% $ (0.31 ) $ (0.75 ) -58.7%
* Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100%.                    
See footnotes page for additional information.
 

   
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
                                       
  Second Quarter     Six Months
2012     2011     % Change 2012     2011     % Change

Revenues

News Media Group $ 489,802 $ 484,144 1.2% $ 965,234 $ 953,666 1.2%
About Group 25,410   27,844   -8.7% 49,354   58,986   -16.3%
Total $ 515,212   $ 511,988   0.6% $ 1,014,588   $ 1,012,652   0.2%
 

Operating Profit/(Loss)

News Media Group $ 52,211 $ 29,422 77.5% $ 75,285 $ 55,298 36.1%
About Group (186,827 ) 11,475 * (179,831 ) 25,622 *
Corporate (9,008 ) (9,405 ) -4.2% (19,462 ) (23,509 ) -17.2%
Total $ (143,624 ) $ 31,492   * $ (124,008 ) $ 57,411   *
 

Operating Profit/(Loss) Before Depreciation & Amortization, Severance and Special Items(h)

News Media Group $ 76,959 $ 68,144 12.9% $ 133,002 $ 117,616 13.1%
About Group 10,168 14,602 -30.4% 19,338 31,522 -38.7%
Corporate (8,992 ) (9,353 ) -3.9% (17,023 ) (23,457 ) -27.4%
Total $ 78,135   $ 73,393   6.5% $ 135,317   $ 125,681   7.7%
 
*Represents a decrease in excess of 100%.
See footnotes page for additional information.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NEWS MEDIA GROUP REVENUES BY OPERATING SEGMENT
(Dollars in thousands)
 
    2012
Second Quarter     % Change vs.

2011

    Six Months     % Change vs.

2011

The New York Times Media Group

Advertising

$ 171,129 -6.9% $ 344,488 -5.7%
Circulation 194,208 10.6% 384,175 11.7%
Other 22,503   1.0% 43,226   -5.0%
Total $ 387,840   1.6% $ 771,889   2.3%
 

New England Media Group

Advertising $ 49,099 -5.3% $ 90,974 -8.6%
Circulation 39,083 -1.9% 76,110 -3.0%
Other 13,780   28.2% 26,261   25.7%
Total $ 101,962   -0.5% $ 193,345   -2.8%
 

Total News Media Group

Advertising $ 220,228 -6.6% $ 435,462 -6.3%
Circulation 233,291 8.3% 460,285 9.0%
Other(a) 36,283   9.8% 69,487   4.7%
Total $ 489,802   1.2% $ 965,234   1.2%
                         
See footnotes page for additional information.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
ADVERTISING REVENUES BY CATEGORY
(Dollars in thousands)
 
    2012
Second Quarter     % Change vs.

2011

    Six Months     % Change vs.

2011

News Media Group

National $ 147,486 -6.1% $ 292,883 -6.1%
Retail 35,971 -2.8% 70,272 -1.8%
Classified:
Help-Wanted 7,121 -3.7% 14,171 -4.6%
Real Estate 10,806 -17.1% 20,783 -17.0%
Automotive 5,518 -12.5% 11,329 -9.9%
Other 7,039   -9.9% 14,494   -7.9%
Total Classified 30,484 -11.7% 60,777 -10.9%
Other 6,287   -11.0% 11,530   -14.0%
Total News Media Group 220,228   -6.6% 435,462   -6.3%
 
About Group 24,031 -8.9% 46,665 -16.7%
   
Total Company $ 244,259   -6.8% $ 482,127   -7.5%
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
FOOTNOTES
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(a) Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from news services/syndication, commercial printing, rental income, digital archives and direct mail advertising services.
             
(b) Includes $6.7 million of accelerated depreciation expense in the first quarter of 2012 for certain assets at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s facility in Millbury, Mass., associated with the consolidation of most of its printing into The Boston Globe’s facility in Boston, Mass., in the second quarter of 2012.
 
(c) In the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $194.7 million non-cash charge for the write-down of goodwill at the About Group. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a $9.2 million non-cash charge for the write-down of certain assets held for sale at the News Media Group.
 
(d) In the second quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a $4.2 million charge for a pension withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan at The Boston Globe.
 
(e) In the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $37.8 million gain on the sale of its remaining 210 units in Fenway Sports Group. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $17.8 million gain on the sale of 100 of its units in Fenway Sports Group. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a $5.9 million gain on the sale of a portion of the Company’s interest in Indeed.com, a job listing aggregator.
 
(f) In the first quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a $4.9 million non-cash charge for a write-down of certain investments.
 
(g) On January 6, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Regional Media Group, consisting of 16 regional newspapers, other print publications and related businesses. The results of the Regional Media Group, which had previously been included in the News Media Group, have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In the second quarter of 2012, we recorded post-closing adjustments related to the sale totaling $4.5 million after-tax.
 
The following tables summarize the results of operations presented as discontinued operations:
 
Second Quarter Six Months
2012 2011 2012 2011
Revenues $ $ 64,714 $ 6,115 $ 130,554
Total operating costs 58,190 8,017 118,875
Write-down of assets   152,093     152,093  
Pre-tax loss (145,569 ) (1,902 ) (140,414 )
Income tax benefit   18,120   736   16,118  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (127,449 ) (1,166 ) (124,296 )
(Loss)/gain on sale, net of income taxes:
Loss on sale (7,026 ) (4,717 )
Income tax benefit 2,521     30,448   *  
(Loss)/gain on sale, net of income taxes (4,505 )   25,731    
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes $ (4,505 ) $ (127,449 ) $ 24,565   $ (124,296 )
* Tax benefit is primarily due to a tax deduction for goodwill.
 
(h) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information” for reconciliations of operating (loss)/profit to operating profit/(loss) before depreciation, amortization, severance and special items.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION
 
 
In this release, the Company has included non-GAAP financial information with respect to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance and special items (if any), operating profit/(loss) before depreciation, amortization, severance and special items (if any) and operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and raw materials. The Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because management reviews them on a regular basis and uses them to evaluate and manage the performance of the operations. Management believes that, for the reasons outlined below, these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors as a supplement to reported diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations, operating profit/(loss) and operating costs. However, these measures should be evaluated only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as alternative or superior measures of GAAP results.
 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance and special items provide useful information in evaluating the Company’s period-to-period performance because it eliminates items that the Company does not consider to be indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation, amortization, severance and special items (if any) is useful in evaluating the Company’s ongoing performance of its businesses as it excludes the significant non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization as well as items not indicative of ongoing operating activities. Total operating costs include depreciation, amortization, severance and raw materials. Total operating costs excluding these items provide investors with helpful supplemental information on the Company’s underlying operating costs that is used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.
 
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures from, respectively, diluted (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations, operating (loss)/profit and operating costs, the most directly comparable GAAP items, are set out in the tables below.
 

Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance and special items

   
Second Quarter
2012     2011     % Change
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations $ (0.57 ) $ 0.05 *
Add:
Severance 0.01
Special items:
Write-down of assets 0.85 0.04
Gain on sale of investment (0.15 )
Pension withdrawal expense   0.02    
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance and special items $ 0.14   $ 0.11   27.3%
 
* Represents a decrease in excess of 100%.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION (continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
 

Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items

   
Second Quarter 2012
News Media Group     About Group     Corporate     Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) $ 52,211 $ (186,827 ) $ (9,008 ) $ (143,624 )
Add:
Depreciation & amortization 22,920 2,263 25,183
Severance 1,828 16 1,844
Special item:
Write-down of assets   194,732     194,732  
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and a special item $ 76,959   $ 10,168   $ (8,992 ) $ 78,135  
 
Second Quarter 2011
News Media Group About Group Corporate Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) $ 29,422 $ 11,475 $ (9,405 ) $ 31,492
Add:
Depreciation & amortization 23,894 2,706 26,600
Severance 1,375 421 52 1,848
Special items:
Write-down of assets 9,225 9,225
Pension withdrawal expense 4,228       4,228  
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items $ 68,144   $ 14,602   $ (9,353 ) $ 73,393  
 
% Change
News Media Group About Group Corporate Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) 77.5% * -4.2% *
Add:
Depreciation & amortization -4.1% -16.4% N/A -5.3%
Severance 32.9% N/A -69.2% -0.2%
Special items:
Write-down of assets N/A N/A N/A *
Pension withdrawal expense N/A N/A N/A N/A
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items 12.9% -30.4% -3.9% 6.5%
 
* Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100%.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION (continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
 

Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items

   
Six Months 2012
News Media Group     About Group     Corporate     Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) $ 75,285 $ (179,831 ) $ (19,462 ) $ (124,008 )
Add:
Depreciation & amortization 53,036 4,437 57,473
Severance 4,681 2,439 7,120
Special item:
Write-down of assets   194,732     194,732  
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and a special item $ 133,002   $ 19,338   $ (17,023 ) $ 135,317  
 
Six Months 2011
News Media Group About Group Corporate Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) $ 55,298 $ 25,622 $ (23,509 ) $ 57,411
Add:
Depreciation & amortization 46,817 5,456 52,273
Severance 2,048 444 52 2,544
Special items:
Write-down of assets 9,225 9,225
Pension withdrawal expense 4,228       4,228  
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items $ 117,616   $ 31,522   $ (23,457 ) $ 125,681  
 
% Change
News Media Group About Group Corporate Total Company
Operating profit/(loss) 36.1% * -17.2% *
Add:
Depreciation & amortization 13.3% -18.7% N/A 9.9%
Severance * N/A * *
Special items:
Write-down of assets N/A N/A N/A *
Pension withdrawal expense N/A N/A N/A N/A
Operating profit/(loss) before depreciation & amortization, severance and special items 13.1% -38.7% -27.4% 7.7%
 
* Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100%.
 

 
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION (continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
           

Reconciliation of total Company operating costs before depreciation & amortization, severance and raw materials

 
Second Quarter

Total Company

2012 2011 % Change
Operating costs $ 464,104 $ 467,043 -0.6%
Less:
Depreciation & amortization 25,183 26,600
Severance 1,844   1,848    
Operating costs before depreciation & amortization and severance 437,077 438,595 -0.3%
Less:
Raw materials 33,596   34,222    
Operating costs before depreciation & amortization, severance and raw materials $ 403,481   $ 404,373   -0.2%
 

Reconciliation of News Media Group operating costs before depreciation & amortization and severance

 
Second Quarter

News Media Group

2012 2011 % Change
Operating costs $ 437,591 $ 441,269 -0.8%
Less:
Depreciation & amortization 22,920 23,894
Severance 1,828   1,375    
Operating costs before depreciation & amortization and severance $ 412,843   $ 416,000   -0.8%
 

Reconciliation of About Group operating costs before depreciation & amortization and severance

 
Second Quarter

About Group

2012 2011 % Change
Operating costs $ 17,505 $ 16,369 6.9 %
Less:
Depreciation & amortization 2,263 2,706
Severance   421    
Operating costs before depreciation & amortization and severance $ 15,242   $ 13,242   15.1 %

Contacts

The New York Times Company
Media:
Abbe Serphos, 212-556-4425
serphos@nytimes.com
or
Investors:
Paula Schwartz, 212-556-5224
paula.schwartz@nytimes.com
Andrea Passalacqua, 212-556-7354
andrea.passalacqua@nytimes.com

Release Summary

The New York Times Company Reports 2012 Second-Quarter Results

Contacts

The New York Times Company
Media:
Abbe Serphos, 212-556-4425
serphos@nytimes.com
or
Investors:
Paula Schwartz, 212-556-5224
paula.schwartz@nytimes.com
Andrea Passalacqua, 212-556-7354
andrea.passalacqua@nytimes.com