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Graham Holdings Co - Quarter Report: 2008 June (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 29, 2008

or

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 1-6714

 

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   53-0182885

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1150 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.   20071
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(202) 334-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x.    No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x.

Shares outstanding at August 1, 2008:

 

Class A Common Stock    1,291,693 Shares
Class B Common Stock    8,073,720 Shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

Index to Form 10-Q

 

PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

   Financial Statements
   a.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks Ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007    3
   b.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks Ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007    4
   c.    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 29, 2008 (Unaudited) and December 30, 2007    5
   d.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Twenty-Six Weeks Ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007    6
   e.    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition    20

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    28

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    28

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    29

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    30

Item 6.

   Exhibits    31

Signatures

   32

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
 

Operating revenues

        

Education

   $ 576,464     $ 503,487     $ 1,119,720     $ 979,268  

Advertising

     268,699       318,310       536,425       611,101  

Circulation and subscriber

     224,214       202,365       442,822       399,116  

Other

     36,840       22,611       70,390       42,896  
                                
     1,106,217       1,046,773       2,169,357       2,032,381  
                                

Operating costs and expenses

        

Operating

     507,985       464,040       999,138       914,715  

Selling, general and administrative

     525,655       399,099       965,703       785,856  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     61,479       54,060       121,939       107,509  

Amortization of intangible assets

     6,282       4,314       10,892       7,046  
                                
     1,101,401       921,513       2,097,672       1,815,126  
                                

Income from operations

     4,816       125,260       71,685       217,255  

Other income (expense)

        

Equity in (losses) earnings of affiliates

     (5,653 )     (135 )     (8,896 )     8,948  

Interest income

     1,286       2,705       3,382       5,981  

Interest expense

     (6,098 )     (6,159 )     (12,632 )     (12,084 )

Other, net

     2,848       4,345       6,927       5,146  
                                

(Loss) income before income taxes

     (2,801 )     126,016       60,466       225,246  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (100 )     57,200       23,900       92,000  
                                

Net (loss) income

     (2,701 )     68,816       36,566       133,246  

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

     (237 )     (230 )     (710 )     (715 )
                                

Net (loss) income available for common shares

   $ (2,938 )   $ 68,586     $ 35,856     $ 132,531  
                                

Basic (loss) earnings per common share

   $ (0.31 )   $ 7.22     $ 3.78     $ 13.94  
                                

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share

   $ (0.31 )   $ 7.19     $ 3.77     $ 13.89  
                                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 2.15     $ 2.05     $ 6.45     $ 6.15  
                                

Basic average number of common shares outstanding

     9,480       9,502       9,482       9,508  

Diluted average number of common shares outstanding

     9,480       9,536       9,508       9,542  

 

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The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
(In thousands)    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
 

Net (loss) income

   $ (2,701 )   $ 68,816     $ 36,566     $ 133,246  
                                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     6,485       9,551       13,943       11,459  

Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     2,482       11,660       (50,699 )     12,407  

Pension and other postretirement plan adjustments

     (1,883 )     (1,131 )     (3,770 )     (2,276 )
                                
     7,084       20,080       (40,526 )     21,590  

Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income

     (440 )     (8,874 )     22,514       (8,715 )
                                
     6,644       11,206       (18,012 )     12,875  
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 3,943     $ 80,022     $ 18,554     $ 146,121  
                                

 

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The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands)    June 29,
2008
    December 30,
2007
 
   (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 196,273     $ 321,466  

Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments

     130,200       51,678  

Accounts receivable, net

     459,536       480,743  

Deferred income taxes

     45,502       46,399  

Income taxes

     5,503       —    

Inventories

     36,629       23,194  

Other current assets

     75,796       71,490  
                
     949,439       994,970  

Property, plant and equipment

    

Buildings

     346,681       346,116  

Machinery, equipment and fixtures

     2,276,903       2,185,920  

Leasehold improvements

     254,005       239,641  
                
     2,877,589       2,771,677  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,709,882 )     (1,596,698 )
                
     1,167,707       1,174,979  

Land

     49,474       49,187  

Construction in progress

     83,263       56,571  
                
     1,300,444       1,280,737  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     357,203       417,781  

Investments in affiliates

     99,468       102,399  

Goodwill, net

     1,553,827       1,498,237  

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net

     526,840       520,905  

Amortized intangible assets, net

     69,631       70,437  

Prepaid pension cost

     942,074       1,034,789  

Deferred charges and other assets

     88,127       84,254  
                
   $ 5,887,053     $ 6,004,509  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 551,363     $ 564,744  

Income taxes

     —         4,580  

Deferred revenue

     362,671       354,564  

Dividends declared

     20,730       —    

Short-term borrowings

     499,038       89,585  
                
     1,433,802       1,013,473  

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     82,739       81,041  

Accrued compensation and related benefits

     243,439       242,583  

Other liabilities

     86,468       84,214  

Deferred income taxes

     663,392       709,694  

Long-term debt

     16       400,519  
                
     2,509,856       2,531,524  

Redeemable preferred stock

     11,826       11,826  
                

Preferred stock

     —         —    
                

Common shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock

     20,000       20,000  

Capital in excess of par value

     227,187       217,780  

Retained earnings

     4,304,145       4,329,726  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     57,514       42,845  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     123,120       153,539  

Unrealized gain on pension and other postretirement plans

     295,890       298,152  

Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury

     (1,662,485 )     (1,600,883 )
                
     3,365,371       3,461,159  
                
   $ 5,887,053     $ 6,004,509  
                

 

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The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
(In thousands)    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 36,566     $ 133,246  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     121,939       107,509  

Amortization of intangible assets

     10,892       7,046  

Net pension benefit

     (13,182 )     (10,799 )

Early retirement program expense

     112,001       —    

Foreign exchange gain

     (7,263 )     (4,604 )

Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates, net of distributions

     9,086       (8,948 )

(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes

     (20,511 )     16,892  

Change in assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease in accounts receivable, net

     26,614       28,746  

(Increase) decrease in inventories

     (13,435 )     5,051  

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (27,132 )     (44,999 )

(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue

     (4,170 )     17,910  

Increase in income taxes receivable

     (10,129 )     (21,971 )

Increase in other assets and other liabilities, net

     (6,536 )     (2,597 )

Other

     2,392       2,624  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     217,132       225,106  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Investments in certain businesses, net of cash acquired

     (55,975 )     (136,391 )

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (133,832 )     (137,932 )

Investments in affiliates and cost method investments

     (7,834 )     (14,639 )

Investments in marketable equity securities and other investments

     (68,563 )     —    

Other

     807       3,464  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (265,397 )     (285,498 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Common shares repurchased

     (64,287 )     (15,609 )

Dividends paid

     (41,417 )     (39,587 )

Issuance of commercial paper, net

     10,200       —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     8,319       2,124  

Excess tax benefit on stock options

     3,188       361  

Cash overdraft

     2,871       2,936  

Principal payments on debt

     (1,363 )     (3,038 )

Other

     —         (294 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (82,489 )     (53,107 )
                

Effect of currency exchange rate change

     5,561       1,475  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (125,193 )     (112,024 )

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     321,466       348,148  
                

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 196,273     $ 236,124  
                

 

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The Washington Post Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Organization, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Washington Post Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified education and media company whose principal operations include educational and career services, newspaper and magazine publishing, television broadcasting, cable television systems and electronic information services.

The results of operations at the education division Kaplan, Inc. (“Kaplan”), when examined on a quarterly basis, reflect the volatility of Kaplan stock compensation charges, as well as other seasonal effects. Results of operations, when examined on a quarterly basis, also reflect the seasonality of advertising that affects the newspaper, magazine and broadcasting operations. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters are typically higher than first and third quarter revenues.

Financial Periods

The Company generally reports on a thirteen week fiscal quarter ending on the Sunday nearest the calendar quarter-end. The fiscal quarters for 2008 and 2007 ended on June 29, 2008, March 30, 2008, July 1, 2007 and April 1, 2007, respectively. With the exception of the newspaper publishing operations and the corporate office, subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-quarter basis.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. The Company’s results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007 may not be indicative of the Company’s future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007.

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 was effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal year 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of these provisions did not have any impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, as the Company’s existing fair value measurements are consistent with the guidance of SFAS 157. The FASB deferred the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis, until the beginning of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 157 will have on its pension related financial assets and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not valued on a recurring basis (at least annually). See Note 10 for additional disclosures about fair value measurements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 allows entities to voluntarily choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (“fair value option”). The fair value option may be elected on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, SFAS 159 specifies that unrealized gains and losses for that instrument be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. This statement was effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal year 2008. We did not apply the fair value option to any of our outstanding instruments and, therefore, SFAS 159 did not have an impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R requires the acquisition method of accounting to be applied to all business combinations, which significantly changes the accounting for certain aspects of business combinations. Under SFAS 141R, an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS 141R will change the accounting treatment for certain specific acquisition related items including: (1) expensing acquisition related costs as incurred; (2) valuing noncontrolling interests at fair value at the acquisition date; and (3) expensing restructuring costs associated with an acquired business. SFAS 141R also includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of fiscal year 2009, except as it relates to certain income tax accounting matters. The Company expects SFAS 141R to have an impact on its accounting for future business combinations once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon the acquisitions that are made in the future.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (minority interest) is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the Consolidated Financial Statements and separate from the parent company’s equity. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. This statement also requires disclosure, on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. This statement is effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal year 2009. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact SFAS 160 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors

 

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to be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Its intent is to improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure its fair value. This FSP is effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal year 2009. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of FSP 142-3 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities” (“FSP 03-6-1”). FSP 03-6-1 clarifies that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are to be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” This FSP is effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal year 2009 and requires all presented prior-period earnings per share data to be adjusted retrospectively. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact FSP 03-6-1 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2: Investments

Investments in marketable equity securities at June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 29,
2008
   December 30,
2007

Total cost

   $ 279,329    $ 213,561

Gross unrealized gains

     205,199      255,898
             

Total fair value

   $ 484,528    $ 469,459
             

In the first quarter of 2008, the Company purchased $65.8 million in the common stock of Corinthian Colleges, Inc, a publicly traded education company. There were no additional investments in marketable equity securities during the second quarter of 2008 or in the first six months of 2007.

As of June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007, the Company had money market investments of $4.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, that are classified as “cash and cash equivalents” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company’s affiliates. In the first six months of 2007, $8.9 million of the equity in earnings of affiliates is due to a gain on the sale of land at the Company’s Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited affiliate.

Note 3: Acquisitions

In the second quarter of 2008, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their professional and test preparation divisions totaling $14.8 million. In the first quarter of 2008, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their professional and test preparation divisions totaling $31.4 million. Also in the first quarter of 2008, the cable division acquired subscribers in the Winona, Mississippi area for $15.6 million. Most of the purchase price for these acquisitions has been allocated to goodwill and other intangibles and property, plant and equipment on a preliminary basis.

In 2007, Kaplan purchased a 40% interest in ACE Education, a provider of education in China that provides preparation courses for entry to U.K. universities, along with degree and professional training programs at campuses throughout China. In the first quarter of 2008, Kaplan exercised an option to increase its investment in ACE Education to a majority interest. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter. As of June 29, 2008, this investment is included in investment in affiliates as Kaplan does not have control of ACE Education.

 

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In July 2008, the Company announced an agreement with NBC Universal to acquire WTVJ, the NBC-owned and operated television station in Miami, FL. The Company will continue to operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate. The purchase price is approximately $205 million and the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The acquisition is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The Company also owns and operates WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami, FL.

In the second quarter of 2007, the Company completed four business acquisitions, primarily in the education division, totaling $29.1 million. These included Kaplan higher education division’s acquisitions of Sagemont Virtual, a leader in the growing field of online high school instruction that has been doing business as the University of Miami Online High School, and Virtual Sage, a developer of online high school courses. In the first quarter of 2007, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their professional division totaling $115.8 million. These acquisitions included EduNeering Holdings, Inc., a Princeton, N.J. based provider of knowledge management solutions for organizations in the pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, energy and manufacturing sectors. Also in the first quarter of 2007, the cable division acquired subscribers in the Boise, Idaho area for $4.3 million.

Pro forma results of operations for current and prior years, assuming the acquisitions occurred at the beginning of 2007, are not materially different from reported results of operations.

Note 4: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from franchise agreements at its cable division, as the Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide the Company with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company’s cable division historically has obtained renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without any material modifications to the agreements. Amortized intangible assets are primarily mastheads, customer relationship intangibles and non-compete agreements, with amortization periods up to ten years.

The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Gross    Accumulated
Amortization
   Net

2008

        

Goodwill

   $ 1,852,229    $ 298,402    $ 1,553,827

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     690,646      163,806      526,840

Amortized intangible assets

     124,749      55,118      69,631
                    
   $ 2,667,624    $ 517,326    $ 2,150,298
                    

2007

        

Goodwill

   $ 1,796,639    $ 298,402    $ 1,498,237

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     684,711      163,806      520,905

Amortized intangible assets

     114,663      44,226      70,437
                    
   $ 2,596,013    $ 506,434    $ 2,089,579
                    

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the six months ended June 29, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Goodwill, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions    Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes and
Other
   Balance as of
June 29, 2008

Education

   $ 1,020,177    $ 36,408    $ 18,745    $ 1,075,330

Newspaper Publishing

     81,169      —        —        81,169

Television Broadcasting

     203,165      —        —        203,165

Magazine Publishing

     25,015      —        —        25,015

Cable Television

     85,666      293      —        85,959

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     83,045      144      —        83,189
                           
   $ 1,498,237    $ 36,845    $ 18,745    $ 1,553,827
                           

 

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Table of Contents
     Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions    Balance as of
June 29, 2008

Education

   $ 9,262      —      $ 9,262

Newspaper Publishing

     —        —        —  

Television Broadcasting

     —        —        —  

Magazine Publishing

     —        —        —  

Cable Television

     511,643    $ 5,935      517,578

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     —        —        —  
                    
   $ 520,905    $ 5,935    $ 526,840
                    

 

     Amortized Intangible Assets, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions and
Additions
    Amortization     Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes and
Other
   Balance as of
June 29, 2008

Education

   $ 36,822    $ 9,593     $ (7,352 )   $ 400    $ 39,463

Newspaper Publishing

     4,240      —         (324 )     1      3,917

Television Broadcasting

     —        —         —         —        —  

Magazine Publishing

     —        —         —         —        —  

Cable Television

     1,081      332       (155 )     —        1,258

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     28,294      (240 )     (3,061 )     —        24,993
                                    
   $ 70,437    $ 9,685     $ (10,892 )   $ 401    $ 69,631
                                    

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the six months ended July 1, 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

     Goodwill, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions    Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes
   Balance as of
July 1, 2007

Education

   $ 845,754    $ 110,190    $ 7,516    $ 963,460

Newspaper Publishing

     79,739      468      —        80,207

Television Broadcasting

     203,165      —        —        203,165

Magazine Publishing

     25,015      —        —        25,015

Cable Television

     85,666      —        —        85,666

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     912      —        —        912
                           
   $ 1,240,251    $ 110,658    $ 7,516    $ 1,358,425
                           

 

     Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions    Balance as of
July 1,2007

Education

   $ 9,262      —      $ 9,262

Newspaper Publishing

     —        —        —  

Television Broadcasting

     —        —        —  

Magazine Publishing

     —        —        —  

Cable Television

     508,480    $ 3,229      511,709

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     —        —        —  
                    
   $ 517,742    $ 3,229    $ 520,971
                    

 

     Amortized Intangible Assets, Net
     Beginning
of Year
   Acquisitions
and Additions
   Amortization     Foreign Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes and
Other
   Balance as of
July 1, 2007

Education

   $ 25,270    $ 20,630    $ (6,288 )   $ 111    $ 39,723

Newspaper Publishing

     5,508      —        (584 )     —        4,924

Television Broadcasting

     —        —        —         —        —  

Magazine Publishing

     —        —        —         —        —  

Cable Television

     1,021      —        (174 )     —        847

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

     —        —        —         —        —  
                                   
   $ 31,799    $ 20,630    $ (7,046 )   $ 111    $ 45,494
                                   

 

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Table of Contents

Note 5: Borrowings

Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):

 

     June 29,
2008
    December 30,
2007
 

Commercial paper borrowings

   $ 95.0     $ 84.8  

5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009

     399.8       399.7  

Other indebtedness

     4.2       5.6  
                

Total

     499.0       490.1  

Less current portion

     (499.0 )     (89.6 )
                

Total long-term debt

   $ —       $ 400.5  
                

The Company’s commercial paper borrowings at June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007 were at average interest rates of 2.2 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

The Company’s $399.8 million unsecured notes that are due February 15, 2009 are now classified as current liabilities at June 29, 2008.

The Company’s other indebtedness at June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007 is at interest rates of 5% to 8% and matures from 2008 to 2009.

During the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $457.3 million and $406.1 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.1 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. During the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred net interest expense of $4.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $475.0 million and $405.5 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.1 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred net interest expense of $9.3 million and $6.1 million, respectively.

Note 6: (Loss) Earnings Per Share

The Company’s (loss) earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 and 2007, are presented below:

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
     June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
   June 29,
2008
   July 1,
2007

Net (loss) income available for common shares

   $ (2,938 )   $ 68,586    $ 35,856    $ 132,531
                            

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

     9,480       9,502      9,482      9,508
                            

Effect of dilutive shares:

          

Stock options and restricted stock

     24       34      26      34

Less: Dilutive shares excluded from calculation due to net loss

     (24 )     —        —        —  
                            

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

     9,480       9,536      9,508      9,542

Basic (loss) earnings per common share

   $ (0.31 )   $ 7.22    $ 3.78    $ 13.94
                            

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share

   $ (0.31 )   $ 7.19    $ 3.77    $ 13.89
                            

For the second quarter of 2008, there are 9,480,073 weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding; these amounts are the same as the Company reported a net loss for the second quarter of 2008.

The first six months of 2008 diluted earnings per share amount excludes the effects of 29,625 stock options outstanding, respectively, as their inclusion would be antidilutive. The second quarter and first six months of 2007 diluted earnings per share amount excludes the effects of 12,000 and 7,500 stock options outstanding, respectively, as their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 7: Pension and Postretirement Plans

The total cost (income) arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension plans for the second quarter and six months ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007, consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Pension Plans  
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
     June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
 

Service cost

   $ 6,855     $ 7,020     $ 13,761     $ 13,153  

Interest cost

     11,334       11,858       22,752       22,217  

Expected return on assets

     (24,246 )     (24,755 )     (48,673 )     (46,382 )

Amortization of transition asset

     (9 )     (14 )     (19 )     (25 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     1,065       1,273       2,139       2,385  

Recognized actuarial gain

     (1,566 )     (1,146 )     (3,142 )     (2,147 )
                                

Net periodic benefit

     (6,567 )     (5,764 )     (13,182 )     (10,799 )

Early retirement program expense

     82,351       —         104,875       —    
                                

Total cost (income)

   $ 75,784     $ (5,764 )   $ 91,693     $ (10,799 )
                                

 

     SERP
     Thirteen Weeks Ended    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
     June 29,
2008
   July 1,
2007
   June 29,
2008
   July 1,
2007

Service cost

   $ 406    $ 384    $ 812    $ 769

Interest cost

     849      768      1,698      1,537

Amortization of prior service cost

     111      112      223      223

Recognized actuarial loss

     172      231      343      461
                           

Net periodic cost

     1,538      1,495      3,076      2,990

Early retirement program expense

     5,027      —        7,126      —  
                           

Total cost

   $ 6,565    $ 1,495    $ 10,202    $ 2,990
                           

The total cost arising from the Company’s postretirement plans for the second quarter and six months ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007, consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Postretirement Plans  
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
     June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
    June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
 

Service cost

   $ 942     $ 914     $ 1,885     $ 1,828  

Interest cost

     1,212       1,227       2,423       2,454  

Amortization of prior service credit

     (1,286 )     (1,176 )     (2,572 )     (2,352 )

Recognized actuarial gain

     (372 )     (410 )     (743 )     (820 )
                                

Total cost

   $ 496     $ 555     $ 993     $ 1,110  
                                

Newsweek offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees in the first quarter of 2008 and 117 employees accepted the offer. The Company recorded early retirement program expense of $4.6 million and $29.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively, which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans.

The Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program in March 2008 to some employees of The Washington Post newspaper and the corporate office; 236 employees have accepted the offer. The early retirement program expense of $82.8 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2008, which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans.

Note 8: Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to non-operating income, net, of $4.3 million for the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $6.9 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007, is as follows (in millions):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
     June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007
   June 29,
2008
    July 1,
2007

Foreign currency gains, net

   $ 2.9     $ 3.8    $ 7.3     $ 4.6

Gain on cost method and other investments

     —         0.5      —         0.5

Other (losses), net

     (0.1 )     —        (0.4 )     —  
                             

Total

   $ 2.8     $ 4.3    $ 6.9     $ 5.1
                             

Note 9: Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2008 was computed based on a 39.5% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2008. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 45.4%. Results for the second quarter of 2007 included an additional $15.5 million in income tax expense related to Bowater Mersey, the Company’s 49% owned affiliate based in Canada. The Company previously recorded deferred income taxes on the equity in earnings (losses) of Bowater Mersey based on the 5% dividend withholding rate provided in the tax treaty between the U.S. and Canada. In the second quarter of 2007, the Company obtained additional information related to Bowater Mersey’s Canadian tax position and determined that deferred income taxes on the equity in earnings (losses) of this investment should have been recorded at a 35% tax rate. $12.9 million of the expense related to 2006 and prior years; $2.6 million of the expense related to the first quarter of 2007. The Company concluded that these charges were not material to the Company’s financial positions or results of operations for 2007 and prior years, based on its consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors. Also included in the second quarter of 2007 was a $6.3 million income tax benefit related to a change in certain state income tax laws enacted in the second quarter of 2007. Both of these items were non-cash items in 2007, impacting the Company’s long-term net deferred income tax liabilities. Excluding the impact of these items, the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 38.0%.

The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2008 was 39.5%, compared to 40.8% for the first six months of 2007. Results for the first six months of 2007 included the additional $12.9 million in income tax expense related to the Company’s Bowater Mersey affiliate, and the $6.3 million income tax benefit related to a change in certain state income tax laws enacted in the second quarter of 2007. Excluding the impact of these items, the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2007 was 38.0%.

Note 10: Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with SFAS 157, a fair value measurement is determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. SFAS 157 also established a three-tiered hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2) and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3). Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measure. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 29, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

          Fair Value Measurements as of
June 29, 2008
     Fair Value at
June 29, 2008
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Items
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

Assets:

        

Marketable equity securities(1)

        

Current

   $ 127,325    $ 127,325      —  

Non-current

     357,203      357,203      —  

Other current investments(2)

     2,875      —      $ 2,875
                    

Total financial assets

   $ 487,403    $ 484,528    $ 2,875
                    

Liabilities:

        

Deferred compensation plan liabilities(3 )

   $ 80,479    $ —      $ 80,479
                    

Total financial liabilities

   $ 80,479    $ —      $ 80,479
                    

 

(1)

The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.

(2)

Other investments represent time deposits with original maturities greater than 90 days but less than one year.

(3)

Includes The Washington Post Company Deferred Compensation Plan and supplemental savings plan benefits under The Washington Post Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, the total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability.

Note 11: Business Segments

The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments. The 2008 and 2007 asset information is as of June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Second Quarter Period

(in thousands)

 

     Education     Newspaper
Publishing
    Television
Broadcasting
   Magazine
Publishing
    Cable
Television
    Other
Businesses
and
Corporate
Office
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Consolidated  

2008

                 

Operating revenues

   $ 576,464     $ 197,286     $ 82,836    $ 62,686     $ 178,914     $ 9,141     $ (1,110 )   $ 1,106,217  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 47,421     $ (96,704 )   $ 29,652    $ (3,716 )   $ 40,105     $ (11,942 )   $ —       $ 4,816  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                    (5,653 )

Interest expense, net

                    (4,812 )

Other, net

                    2,848  
                       

Loss before income taxes

                  $ (2,801 )
                       

Depreciation expense

   $ 16,482     $ 11,401     $ 2,272    $ 525     $ 30,743     $ 56     $ —       $ 61,479  

Amortization expense

   $ 4,512     $ 150     $ —      $ —       $ 89     $ 1,531     $ —       $ 6,282  

Net pension (expense) credit

   $ (930 )   $ (78,916 )   $ 284    $ 5,979     $ (359 )   $ (1,842 )   $ —       $ (75,784 )

Identifiable assets

   $ 1,895,154     $ 747,943     $ 470,395    $ 823,767     $ 1,217,846     $ 147,952     $ —       $ 5,303,057  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                    484,528  

Investments in affiliates

                    99,468  
                       

Total assets

                  $ 5,887,053  
                       

 

     Education     Newspaper
Publishing
    Television
Broadcasting
   Magazine
Publishing
   Cable
Television
    Other
Businesses
and
Corporate
Office
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Consolidated  

2007

                  

Operating revenues

   $ 503,487     $ 227,901     $ 87,863    $ 73,418    $ 154,421     $ —       $ (317 )   $ 1,046,773  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 37,548     $ 17,758     $ 35,203    $ 12,914    $ 32,097     $ (10,260 )   $ —       $ 125,260  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                     (135 )

Interest expense, net

                     (3,454 )

Other, net

                     4,345  
                        

Income before income taxes

                   $ 126,016  
                        

Depreciation expense

   $ 14,299     $ 9,566     $ 2,374    $ 568    $ 26,888     $ 365     $ —       $ 54,060  

Amortization expense

   $ 4,020     $ 292     $ —      $ —      $ 2     $ —       $ —       $ 4,314  

Net pension credit

(expense)

   $ (906 )   $ (2,601 )   $ 306    $ 9,285    $ (320 )   $ —       $ —       $ 5,764  

Identifiable assets

   $ 1,930,525     $ 832,655     $ 464,815    $ 837,527    $ 1,205,374     $ 161,755     $ —       $ 5,432,651  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                     469,459  

Investments in affiliates

                     102,399  
                        

Total assets

                   $ 6,004,509  
                        

 

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Table of Contents

Six Month Period

(in thousands)

 

     Education     Newspaper
Publishing
    Television
Broadcasting
   Magazine
Publishing
    Cable
Television
    Other
Businesses
and
Corporate
Office
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Consolidated  

2008

                 

Operating revenues

   $ 1,119,720     $ 403,376     $ 160,504    $ 116,074     $ 353,171     $ 18,600     $ (2,088 )   $ 2,169,357  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 94,152     $ (95,546 )   $ 56,256    $ (36,046 )   $ 74,390     $ (21,521 )   $ —       $ 71,685  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                    (8,896 )

Interest expense, net

                    (9,250 )

Other, net

                    6,927  
                       

Income before income taxes

                  $ 60,466  
                       

Depreciation expense

   $ 32,781     $ 21,885     $ 4,470    $ 1,049     $ 61,567     $ 187     $ —       $ 121,939  

Amortization expense

   $ 7,352     $ 324     $ —      $ —       $ 155     $ 3,061     $ —       $ 10,892  

Net pension (expense) credit

   $ (1,808 )   $ (81,156 )   $ 568    $ (6,720 )   $ (718 )   $ (1,859 )   $ —       $ (91,693 )

 

     Education     Newspaper
Publishing
    Television
Broadcasting
   Magazine
Publishing
   Cable
Television
    Other
Businesses
and
Corporate
Office
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Consolidated  

2007

                  

Operating revenues

   $ 979,268     $ 447,055     $ 168,697    $ 134,661    $ 303,396     $ —       $ (696 )   $ 2,032,381  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 71,891     $ 32,684     $ 64,614    $ 6,931    $ 60,116     $ (18,981 )   $ —       $ 217,255  

Equity in earnings of affiliates

                     8,948  

Interest expense, net

                     (6,103 )

Other, net

                     5,146  
                        

Income before income taxes

                   $ 225,246  
                        

Depreciation expense

   $ 28,352     $ 18,810     $ 4,732    $ 1,109    $ 53,776     $ 730     $ —       $ 107,509  

Amortization expense

   $ 6,288     $ 584     $ —      $ —      $ 174     $ —       $ —       $ 7,046  

Net pension credit (expense)

   $ (1,748 )   $ (5,200 )   $ 612    $ 17,774    $ (639 )   $ —       $ —       $ 10,799  

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s education division comprises the following operating segments:

Second Quarter Period

(in thousands)

 

     Higher
Education
   Test Prep    Professional    Corporate
Overhead
and Other
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Total
Education

2008

               

Operating revenues

   $ 298,881    $ 153,651    $ 123,707    $ 304     $ (79 )   $ 576,464

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 41,251    $ 25,296    $ 10,152    $ (29,321 )   $ 43     $ 47,421

Identifiable assets

   $ 629,338    $ 417,802    $ 838,503    $ 9,511     $ —       $ 1,895,154

Depreciation expense

   $ 8,353    $ 3,469    $ 3,697    $ 963     $ —       $ 16,482

Amortization expense

            $ 4,512       $ 4,512

Kaplan stock-based incentive compensation expense

            $ 13,965       $ 13,965
     Higher
Education
   Test Prep    Professional    Corporate
Overhead
and Other
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Total
Education

2007

               

Operating revenues

   $ 243,700    $ 148,519    $ 111,594    $ 318     $ (644 )   $ 503,487

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 25,703    $ 25,961    $ 12,724    $ (26,607 )   $ (233 )   $ 37,548

Identifiable assets

   $ 748,269    $ 380,158    $ 785,593    $ 16,505     $ —       $ 1,930,525

Depreciation expense

   $ 6,749    $ 3,411    $ 3,332    $ 807     $ —       $ 14,299

Amortization expense

            $ 4,020       $ 4,020

Kaplan stock-based incentive compensation expense

            $ 12,951       $ 12,951

Six Month Period

(in thousands)

 

     Higher
Education
   Test Prep    Professional    Corporate
Overhead
and Other
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Total
Education

2008

               

Operating revenues

   $ 593,484    $ 289,526    $ 236,300    $ 688     $ (278 )   $ 1,119,720

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 85,454    $ 34,435    $ 10,887    $ (36,705 )   $ 81     $ 94,152

Depreciation expense

   $ 16,558    $ 6,957    $ 7,362    $ 1,904     $ —       $ 32,781

Amortization expense

            $ 7,352       $ 7,352

Kaplan stock-based incentive compensation expense

            $ 7,283       $ 7,283
     Higher
Education
   Test Prep    Professional    Corporate
Overhead
and Other
    Intersegment
Elimination
    Total
Education

2007

               

Operating revenues

   $ 491,722    $ 282,798    $ 204,712    $ 680     $ (644 )   $ 979,268

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 61,950    $ 40,592    $ 18,554    $ (48,972 )   $ (233 )   $ 71,891

Depreciation expense

   $ 13,649    $ 6,879    $ 6,073    $ 1,751     $ —       $ 28,352

Amortization expense

            $ 6,288       $ 6,288

Kaplan stock-based incentive compensation expense

            $ 23,219       $ 23,219

Education products and services are provided through the Company’s subsidiary Kaplan, Inc. Kaplan’s businesses include higher education services, which includes Kaplan’s domestic and international post-secondary education businesses, including fixed facility colleges which offer bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and diploma programs primarily in the fields of healthcare, business and information technology; and online post-secondary and career programs. Kaplan’s businesses also include domestic and international test preparation, which includes Kaplan’s standardized test prep and English-language course offerings, as well as K12 and Score, which offer multi-media learning and private tutoring to children and educational resources to parents. Kaplan’s businesses also include Kaplan professional, which provides education and career services to business people and other professionals domestically and internationally. The education division’s

 

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primary segments are higher education, test prep and professional. Kaplan “Corporate Overhead and Other” is also included; “Other” includes Kaplan stock compensation expense and amortization of certain intangibles. Certain minor changes were made to Kaplan’s segment reporting in the third quarter of 2007 due to changes in the management structure, which are reflected in the second quarter and first six months of 2007 Kaplan segment amounts.

Newspaper publishing includes the publication of newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area and Everett, Washington; newsprint warehousing and recycling facilities; and the majority of the Company’s online media publishing businesses (primarily washingtonpost.com).

The magazine publishing division consists of the publication of a weekly news magazine, Newsweek, which has one domestic and three English-language international editions (and, in conjunction with others, publishes seven foreign-language editions around the world) and the publication of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel. The magazine publishing division also includes certain online media publishing businesses (newsweek.com and budgettravel.com).

Revenues from both newspaper and magazine publishing operations are derived from advertising and, to a lesser extent, from circulation.

Television broadcasting operations are conducted through six VHF, television stations serving the Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando and Jacksonville television markets. All stations are network-affiliated (except for WJXT in Jacksonville) with revenues derived primarily from sales of advertising time.

Cable television operations consist of cable systems offering basic cable, digital cable, pay television, cable modem, telephony and other services to subscribers in midwestern, western, and southern states. The principal source of revenue is monthly subscription fees charged for services.

In 2008, other businesses and corporate office includes the expenses associated with the Company’s corporate office and the operating results of CourseAdvisor. In 2007, other businesses and corporate office includes the expenses associated with the Company’s corporate office. CourseAdvisor is a lead generation provider for the post-secondary education market.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

This analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

Results of Operations

Net loss for the second quarter of 2008 was $2.7 million ($0.31 loss per share), compared to net income of $68.8 million ($7.19 per share) for the second quarter of last year.

Results for the second quarter of 2008 included charges of $87.4 million related to early retirement program expense at The Washington Post newspaper, the corporate office and Newsweek (after-tax impact of $52.9 million, or $5.58 per share), which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans. Results for the second quarter of 2008 also reflect a decline in equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates associated with $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company’s affiliates (after-tax impact of $4.1 million, or $0.43 per share).

Results for the second quarter of 2007 included additional net income tax expense of $9.2 million ($0.97 per share) as a result of a $15.5 million ($1.63 per share) increase in taxes associated with Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited, the Company’s 49%-owned affiliate based in Canada, and a tax benefit of $6.3 million ($0.66 per share) associated with changes in certain state income tax laws. Both of these were non-cash items in the second quarter of 2007, impacting the Company’s long-term net deferred income tax liabilities.

Revenue for the second quarter of 2008 was $1,106.2 million, up 6% from $1,046.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. The increase is due to significant revenue growth at the education and cable television divisions. Revenues were down at the Company’s newspaper publishing, magazine publishing and television broadcasting divisions.

Operating income declined in the second quarter of 2008 to $4.8 million, from $125.3 million in the second quarter of 2007, due largely to charges of $87.4 million associated with early retirement plan buyouts in the second quarter of 2008. The newspaper publishing and magazine publishing divisions reported losses in the second quarter of 2008. Operating results were also down at the television broadcasting division, while the education and cable divisions reported improved results for the quarter.

For the first six months of 2008, net income totaled $36.6 million ($3.77 per share), compared with $133.2 million ($13.89 per share) for the same period of 2007. Results for the first six months of 2008 included charges of $112.0 million related to early retirement program expense at The Washington Post newspaper, the corporate office and Newsweek (after-tax impact of $67.8 million, or $7.13 per share), which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans. Results for the first six months of 2008 also reflect a decline in equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates associated with $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company’s affiliates (after-tax impact of $4.1 million, or $0.43 per share). Results for the first six months of 2007 included additional net income tax expense of $6.6 million ($0.70 per share) as a result of a $12.9 million ($1.36 per share) increase in taxes associated with Bowater Mersey and a tax benefit of $6.3 million ($0.66 per share) associated with changes in certain state income tax laws. Both of these were non-cash items in 2007, impacting the Company’s long-term net deferred income tax liabilities. Also included in the first six months of 2007 was a significant increase in equity in earnings of affiliates primarily from a gain on the sale of land at the Company’s Bowater Mersey affiliate (after-tax impact of $6.5 million, or $0.68 per share).

Revenue for the first half of 2008 was $2,169.4 million, up 7% from $2,032.4 million in the first half of 2007, due to increased revenues at the Company’s education and

 

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cable divisions, partially offset by revenue declines at the Company’s newspaper publishing, magazine publishing and television broadcasting divisions. Operating income for the first half of 2008 decreased to $71.7 million, from $217.3 million in the first half of 2007, due largely to early retirement program expenses of $112.0 million and significant declines in operating results at the newspaper publishing and magazine publishing divisions. Operating results also declined at the television broadcasting division, while the education and cable divisions reported improved results for the first six months of 2008.

The Company’s operating income for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 included $6.6 million and $13.2 million of net pension credits, respectively, compared to $5.8 million and $10.8 million of net pension credits, respectively, for the same periods of 2007, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

Education Division. Education division revenue totaled $576.5 million for the second quarter of 2008, a 14% increase over revenue of $503.5 million for the same period of 2007. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, education division revenue increased 11% for the second quarter of 2008. Kaplan reported operating income of $47.4 million for the second quarter of 2008, up 26% from $37.5 million in the second quarter of 2007.

For the first six months of 2008, education division revenue totaled $1,119.7 million, a 14% increase over revenue of $979.3 million for the same period of 2007. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, education division revenue increased 10% for the first six months of 2008. Kaplan reported operating income of $94.2 million for the first six months of 2008, up 31% from $71.9 million for the first six months of 2007. Operating income in the first six months of 2008 includes stock compensation expense of $7.3 million, compared to stock compensation expense of $23.2 million in the first six months of 2007.

A summary of Kaplan’s operating results for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 compared to 2007 is as follows:

 

                                      
     Second Quarter     YTD  
(In thousands)    2008     2007     % Change     2008     2007     % Change  

Revenue

            

Higher education

   $ 298,881     $ 243,700     23     $ 593,484     $ 491,722     21  

Test prep

     153,651       148,519     3       289,526       282,798     2  

Professional

     123,707       111,594     11       236,300       204,712     15  

Kaplan corporate

     304       318     (4 )     688       680     1  

Intersegment elimination

     (79 )     (644 )   —         (278 )     (644 )   —    
                                    
   $ 576,464     $ 503,487     14     $ 1,119,720     $ 979,268     14  
                                            

Operating income (loss)

            

Higher education

   $ 41,251     $ 25,703     60     $ 85,454     $ 61,950     38  

Test prep

     25,296       25,961     (3 )     34,435       40,592     (15 )

Professional

     10,152       12,724     (20 )     10,887       18,554     (41 )

Kaplan corporate overhead

     (10,845 )     (9,636 )   (13 )     (22,071 )     (19,464 )   (13 )

Other*

     (18,476 )     (16,971 )   (9 )     (14,634 )     (29,508 )   50  

Intersegment elimination

     43       (233 )   —         81       (233 )   —    
                                    
   $ 47,421     $ 37,548     26     $ 94,152     $ 71,891     31  
                                            

 

* Other includes charges accrued for stock-based incentive compensation and amortization of certain intangibles.

Higher education includes Kaplan’s domestic and international post-secondary education businesses, including fixed-facility colleges as well as online post-secondary and career programs. Higher education revenue grew by 23% for the second quarter of 2008 and 21% in the first half of 2008. Enrollments increased 18% to 83,400 at June 30, 2008, compared to 70,800 at June 30, 2007, due primarily to enrollment growth in the online programs. Higher education results in the first

 

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half of 2008 include additional costs associated with the expansion of Kaplan’s online high school and international programs. Higher education results in the first quarter of 2007 were adversely affected by $2.7 million in lease termination charges.

Funds provided under student financial aid programs created under Title IV of the Federal Higher Education Act account for a large portion of Kaplan Higher Education (KHE) revenues; these funds are provided in the form of federal loans and grants. In addition, some KHE students also obtain non-Title IV private loans from lenders to finance a portion of their education. In response to recent tightening in the credit markets, certain lenders have announced that they will apply more stringent lending standards for non-Title IV private student loans. KHE estimates that approximately 7% of its domestic revenues come from non-Title IV private loans obtained by its students. To date, KHE has not been significantly impacted by the changes in the student loan market; however, continued tightening of the credit markets may result in financing difficulties for those students who rely on non-Title IV loans. Legislative and administrative efforts by both the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education are currently pending to help enhance capacity in the U.S. student loan markets; however, the outcome of these efforts is uncertain.

Test prep includes Kaplan’s standardized test preparation and English-language course offerings, as well as the K12 and Score businesses. Test prep revenue, excluding Score, grew 9% in the second quarter of 2008 and 8% in the first half of 2008, largely due to growth in English-language programs. Score revenues declined 46% for both the second quarter and first six months of 2008 as a result of the restructuring announced in the fourth quarter of 2007, which included the closing of 75 Score centers. After closings and consolidations, Score operates 79 centers that focus on providing computer-assisted instruction and small-group tutoring. Operating income for test prep declined in the first half of 2008 due to slower revenue growth combined with higher payroll and marketing costs for the traditional test preparation programs, along with continued weakness at Score.

Professional includes Kaplan’s domestic and overseas professional businesses. Professional revenue grew 11% in the second quarter of 2008 and 15% in the first half of 2008, largely due to acquisitions made since the comparable periods of 2007. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, professional revenue was flat for the second quarter of 2008 and grew 2% in the first six months of 2008 due to revenue growth at Kaplan Professional (U.K.) and Kaplan Professional (Asia-Pacific) and from growth in the Schweser CFA exam course offerings, offset by continued declines in professional’s real estate book publishing and real estate course offerings. Operating income is down largely due to continued weakness in professional’s real estate businesses and severance and other transition costs related to the restructuring of the Kaplan Professional (U.S.) businesses, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2007. In connection with this restructuring, product changes are being implemented and certain operations are being decentralized, in addition to employee terminations. The restructuring has largely been completed, and $1.8 million and $3.2 million in severance costs were recorded in the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively.

Corporate represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.’s corporate office and other minor activities.

Other includes charges (credits) for incentive compensation arising from equity awards under the Kaplan stock option plan, which was established for certain members of Kaplan’s management. Under the plan, the amount of compensation expense (credit) varies directly with the estimated fair value of Kaplan’s common stock, which is based on a comparison of operating results and public market values of other education companies. Kaplan recorded stock compensation expense of $14.0 million and $13.0 million in the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $7.3 million and $23.2 million in the first six months of 2008 and 2007, respectively, related to this plan. In addition, Other includes amortization of certain intangibles, which increased due to recent Kaplan acquisitions.

 

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Newspaper Publishing Division. Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $197.3 million for the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of 13% from $227.9 million in the second quarter of 2007; division revenue decreased 10% to $403.4 million for the first six months of 2008, from $447.1 million for the first six months of 2007.

As previously announced, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to some employees of The Washington Post newspaper in March 2008, and 231 employees accepted the offer. The early retirement program expense of $79.8 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2008, which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans. The newspaper division reported an operating loss of $96.7 million in the second quarter of 2008, compared to operating income of $17.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, the newspaper division reported an operating loss of $95.5 million, compared to operating income of $32.7 million for the first six months of 2007. The reduction in operating results is due primarily to the $79.8 million in early retirement program expense recorded in the second quarter of 2008. Excluding this charge, the newspaper division reported an operating loss for the second quarter and the first six months of 2008 due to the continued decline in division revenues; expenses were up slightly, despite newsprint expense declines of 7% and 10% for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively.

Print advertising revenue at The Post in the second quarter of 2008 declined 22% to $99.8 million, from $128.4 million in the second quarter of 2007, and decreased 17% to $211.4 million for the first six months of 2008, from $253.6 million in the same period of 2007. The decreases are primarily the result of a large decline in classified advertising revenue, along with significant reductions in retail and general.

For the first six months of 2008, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 2.6% and 3.7%, respectively, compared to the same periods of the prior year. For the six months ended June 29, 2008, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 631,900 and average Sunday circulation totaled 881,400.

As previously announced, The Post will close its College Park, MD, printing plant in 2010. The Post has recently determined that only one of the four presses at its College Park, MD, printing plant will be moved to The Post’s Springfield, VA, plant. The Company reassessed the useful life of the other three presses and recorded accelerated depreciation beginning in June 2008; $1.2 million in accelerated deprecation was recorded in the second quarter of 2008, and the Company estimates that $7.3 million in accelerated depreciation will be recorded in the second half of 2008.

Revenue generated by the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, increased 4% to $29.3 million for the second quarter of 2008, from $28.2 million for the second quarter of 2007; online revenues increased 6% to $56.4 million in the first six months of 2008, from $53.2 million for the first six months of 2007. Display online advertising revenue grew 11% and 14% for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively. Online classified advertising revenue on washingtonpost.com declined 1% in the second quarter of 2008, and was up slightly for the first six months of 2008. A small portion of the Company’s online publishing revenues is included in the magazine publishing division.

Television Broadcasting Division. Revenue for the television broadcasting division decreased 6% in the second quarter of 2008 to $82.8 million, from $87.9 million in 2007; operating income for the second quarter of 2008 declined 16% to $29.7 million, from $35.2 million in 2007. For the first six months of 2008, revenue decreased 5% to $160.5 million, from $168.7 million in 2007; operating income for the first six months of 2008 declined 13% to $56.3 million, from $64.6 million in 2007. The decreases in revenue and operating income are primarily due to soft advertising demand overall, offset by an increase of $0.5 million and $3.3 million in political advertising revenue for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively.

 

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In July 2008, the Company announced an agreement with NBC Universal to acquire WTVJ, the NBC-owned and operated television station in Miami, FL. The Company will continue to operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate. The purchase is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The acquisition is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The Company also owns and operates WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami, FL.

Magazine Publishing Division. Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $62.7 million for the second quarter of 2008, a 15% decrease from $73.4 million for the second quarter of 2007; division revenue totaled $116.1 million for the first six months of 2008, a 14% decrease from $134.7 million for the first six months of 2007. The decline is due to a 21% and 18% reduction in advertising revenue at Newsweek for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively, due in part to fewer ad pages at the domestic edition, but also as a result of lower rates due to the previously announced circulation rate base reduction, from 3.1 million to 2.6 million. Subscription revenue at the domestic edition also declined due to the rate base reduction.

As previously announced, Newsweek offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees in the first quarter of 2008 and 117 employees accepted the offer. The early retirement program expense totaled $29.2 million, which will be funded mostly from the assets of the Company’s pension plans. Of this amount, $24.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2008 and $4.6 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2008.

The division had an operating loss of $3.7 million in the second quarter of 2008, compared to operating income of $12.9 million in the second quarter of 2007, with the decline due to the revenue reductions discussed above and $4.6 million in early retirement program expense. The division had an operating loss of $36.0 million for the first six months of 2008, compared to operating income of $6.9 million for the first six months of 2007, with the decline due primarily to $29.2 million in early retirement program expense and the revenue reductions discussed above, offset by a decline in subscription, manufacturing and distribution expenses at the domestic edition of Newsweek.

Cable Television Division. Cable division revenue of $178.9 million for the second quarter of 2008 represents a 16% increase from $154.4 million in the second quarter of 2007; for the first six months of 2008, revenue increased 16% to $353.2 million, from $303.4 million in the same period of 2007. The 2008 revenue increase is due to continued growth in the division’s cable modem, telephone and digital revenues, as well as a rate increase in September 2007 for most high-speed data subscribers and a January 2008 basic video cable service rate increase at nearly all of its systems. The last rate increase for most high-speed data subscribers was in March 2003, and the last rate increase for basic cable subscribers was in February 2006. In January 2008, the cable division purchased approximately 6,600 subscribers in Winona, MS, which also had a favorable impact on revenue growth for 2008.

Cable division operating income increased 25% to $40.1 million in the second quarter of 2008, versus $32.1 million in the second quarter of 2007; cable division operating income for the first six months of 2008 increased 24% to $74.4 million, from $60.1 million for the first six months of 2007. The increase in operating income is due to the division’s revenue growth, offset by higher depreciation and programming expenses and increases in Internet and telephony costs.

At June 30, 2008, Revenue Generating Units (RGUs) grew 9% due to continued growth in high-speed data and telephony subscribers and increases in the basic video and digital video subscriber categories. The cable division began offering telephone service on a very limited basis in the second quarter of 2006; as of June 30, 2008, telephone service is being offered in all or part of systems representing 90% of homes passed. RGUs include about 7,000 subscribers who receive free basic cable service, primarily local governments, schools and other organizations as required by the various franchise agreements.

 

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A summary of RGUs is as follows:

 

     June 30,
2008
   June 30,
2007

Cable Television Division Subscribers

     

Basic

   701,894    696,673

Digital

   224,996    220,557

High-speed data

   361,269    316,357

Telephony

   85,972    23,990
         

Total

   1,374,131    1,257,577
         

Below are details of Cable division capital expenditures for the first six months of 2008 and 2007, as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories (in millions):

 

     2008    2007

Customer Premise Equipment

   $ 20.2    $ 27.7

Scaleable Infrastructure

     6.1      9.2

Line Extensions

     8.1      8.7

Upgrade/Rebuild

     4.6      5.2

Support Capital

     19.0      16.3
             

Total

   $ 58.0    $ 67.1
             

Other Businesses and Corporate Office. In October 2007, the Company acquired the outstanding stock of CourseAdvisor, Inc., an online lead generation provider, headquartered in Wakefield, MA. Through its search engine marketing expertise and proprietary technology platform, CourseAdvisor generates student leads for the post-secondary education market. CourseAdvisor operates as an independent subsidiary of The Washington Post Company.

In the first half of 2008, other businesses and corporate office included the expenses of the Company’s corporate office and the operating results of CourseAdvisor. In the first half of 2007, other businesses and corporate office included the expenses of the Company’s corporate office.

Revenue for other businesses (CourseAdvisor) totaled $9.1 million and $18.6 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively. Operating expenses were $21.1 million for the second quarter of 2008, from $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2007; operating expenses for the first six months of 2008 were $40.1 million, from $19.0 million in the first six months of 2007. The increase in expenses for 2008 is due to expenses at CourseAdvisor and $3.0 million in corporate office early retirement program expense recorded in the second quarter of 2008.

Equity in (Losses) Earnings of Affiliates. The Company’s equity in losses of affiliates for the second quarter of 2008 was $5.7 million, compared to losses of $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, the Company’s equity in losses of affiliates totaled $8.9 million, compared to income of $8.9 million for the same period of 2007. Results for the second quarter of 2008 include $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company’s affiliates. In the first quarter of 2007, $8.9 million of the equity in earnings of affiliates was due to a gain on the sale of land at the Company’s Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited affiliate. The Company holds a 49% interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense). The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to other non-operating income, net, of $4.3 million for the second quarter of 2007. The second quarter 2008 non-operating income, net, includes $2.9 million in foreign currency gains. The second quarter 2007 non-operating income, net, includes $3.8 million in foreign currency gains.

 

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The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $6.9 million for the first six months of 2008, compared to other non-operating income, net, of $5.1 million for the same period of the prior year. The 2008 non-operating income, net, includes $7.3 million in foreign currency gains. The 2007 non-operating income, net, includes $4.6 million in foreign currency gains.

A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the twenty-six weeks ended June 29, 2008 and July 1, 2007, is as follows (in millions):

 

     2008     2007

Foreign currency gains, net

   $ 7.3     $ 4.6

Gain on cost method and other investments

     —         0.5

Other (losses), net

     (0.4 )     —  
              

Total

   $ 6.9     $ 5.1
              

Net Interest Expense. The Company incurred net interest expense of $4.8 million and $9.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2008, respectively, compared to $3.5 million and $6.1 million for the same periods of 2007. The increases are due to a decline in interest income, as well as higher average borrowings in the first half of 2008 versus the same period of the prior year. At June 29, 2008, the Company had $499.0 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.9%.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2008 was computed based on a 39.5% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2008. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 45.4%. As previously discussed, results for the second quarter of 2007 included an additional $15.5 million in income tax expense related to Bowater Mersey, the Company’s 49%-owned affiliate based in Canada. Also included in the second quarter of 2007 was a $6.3 million income tax benefit related to a change in certain state income tax laws enacted in the second quarter of 2007. Both of these were non-cash items in 2007, impacting the Company’s long-term net deferred income tax liabilities. Excluding the impact of these items, the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 38.0%.

The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2008 was 39.5%, compared to 40.8% for the first six months of 2007. As previously discussed, results for the first six months of 2007 included an additional $12.9 million in income tax expense related to the Company’s Bowater Mersey affiliate and a $6.3 million income tax benefit related to a change in certain state income tax laws enacted in the second quarter of 2007. Excluding the impact of these items, the effective tax rate for the first six months of 2007 was 38.0%.

(Losses) Earnings Per Share. The calculation of diluted (losses) earnings per share for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 was based on 9,480,073 and 9,507,927 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, compared to 9,536,132 and 9,542,040, respectively, for the second quarter and first six months of 2007. The Company repurchased 108,633 shares of its Class B common stock at a cost of $64.3 million during the first half of 2008.

Financial Condition: Capital Resources and Liquidity

Acquisitions and Dispositions. In the second quarter of 2008, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their professional and test preparation divisions totaling $14.8 million. In the first quarter of 2008, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their professional and test preparation divisions totaling $31.4 million. Also in the first quarter of 2008, the cable division acquired subscribers in the Winona, Mississippi area for $15.6 million. Most of the purchase price for these acquisitions has been allocated to goodwill and other intangibles and property, plant and equipment on a preliminary basis.

 

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In 2007, Kaplan purchased a 40% interest in ACE Education, a provider of education in China that provides preparation courses for entry to U.K. universities, along with degree and professional training programs at campuses throughout China. In the first quarter of 2008, Kaplan exercised an option to increase its investment in ACE Education to a majority interest. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter. As of June 29, 2008, this investment is included in investment in affiliates as Kaplan does not have control of ACE Education.

In July 2008, the Company announced an agreement with NBC Universal to acquire WTVJ, the NBC-owned and operated television station in Miami, FL. The Company will continue to operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate. The purchase price is approximately $205 million and the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The acquisition is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The Company also owns and operates WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami, FL.

Capital expenditures. During the first six months of 2008, the Company’s capital expenditures totaled $133.8 million. The Company estimates that its capital expenditures will be in the range of $310 million to $335 million in 2008.

Liquidity. The Company’s borrowings have increased by $8.9 million, to $499.0 million at June 29, 2008, as compared to borrowings of $490.1 million at December 30, 2007. At June 29, 2008, the Company has $196.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $321.5 million at December 30, 2007. The Company had money market investments of $4.5 million and $5.1 million that are classified as “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007, respectively.

At June 29, 2008, the Company had $499.0 million in total debt outstanding, which comprised $95.0 million of commercial paper borrowings, $399.8 million of 5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009, and $4.2 million in other debt.

The Company has $399.8 million in unsecured notes that mature on February 15, 2009 and are now classified as short-term borrowings. While the Company has sufficient cash and marketable equity securities as of June 29, 2008 that could be used to pay off this debt at maturity, the Company currently expects that it will refinance some or all of this debt by borrowing money in the capital markets and/or issuing commercial paper under its $500 million commercial paper program.

During the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $457.3 million and $406.1 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.1 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. During the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred net interest expense of $4.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $475.0 million and $405.5 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.1 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred net interest expense of $9.3 million and $6.1 million, respectively.

At June 29, 2008 and December 30, 2007, the Company had a working capital deficit of $484.4 million and $18.5 million, respectively. The increase in working capital deficit is due to the Company’s $399.8 million unsecured notes due February 15, 2009 now classified as current liabilities. The Company maintains working capital levels consistent with its underlying business requirements and consistently generates cash from operations in excess of required interest payments. The Company expects to fund its estimated capital needs primarily through existing cash balances and internally generated funds and, to a lesser extent, through commercial paper borrowings. In management’s opinion, the Company will have ample liquidity to meet its various cash needs throughout 2008.

 

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In the second quarter of 2008, the Company executed a building lease agreement with a total commitment of approximately $114 million. The lease will commence in late 2008 and end in 2024. There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or other commercial commitments from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For more information about these forward-looking statements and related risks, please refer to the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk in the normal course of its business due primarily to its ownership of marketable equity securities, which are subject to equity price risk; to its borrowing and cash-management activities, which are subject to interest rate risk; and to its foreign business operations, which are subject to foreign exchange rate risk. The Company’s market risk disclosures set forth in its 2007 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K have not otherwise changed significantly.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer) and the Company’s Senior Vice President-Finance (the Company’s principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), as of June 29, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President-Finance have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President—Finance, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 29, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

During the quarter ended June 29, 2008, the Company purchased shares of its Class B Common Stock as set forth in the following table:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plan*
   Maximum
Number of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plan*

Mar.31 — May 4,2008

   0      —      0    410,994

May 5 — Jun.1,2008

   0      —      0    410,994

Jun.2 — Jun.29,2008

   106,029    $ 589.25    106,029    304,965
                   

Total

   106,029    $ 589.25    106,029   

 

* On September 22, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase, on the open market or otherwise, up to 542,800 shares of its Class B Common Stock, and the existence of that authorization was disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003. There is no expiration date for that authorization. All purchases made during the quarter ended June 29, 2008 were open market transactions.

 

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

At the Company’s May 8, 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders elected each of the nominees named in the Company’s proxy statement dated March 24, 2008 to its Board of Directors. The voting results are set forth below:

 

Class A Directors

Nominee

   Votes For    Votes
Withheld
   Broker
Non-Votes

Lee C. Bollinger

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Warren E. Buffett

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Barry Diller

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Melinda F. Gates

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Thomas S. Gayner

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Donald E. Graham

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

Anne M. Mulcahy

   1,291,693    -0-    -0-

 

Class B Directors

Nominee

   Votes For    Votes
Withheld
   Broker
Non-Votes

Christopher C. Davis

   7,129,747    300,732    -0-

John L. Dotson Jr.

   7,317,467    113,012    -0-

Ronald L. Olson

   5,251,571    2,178,908    -0-

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  3.1

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated November 13, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003).

  3.2

   Certificate of Designation for the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock dated September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).

  3.3

   By-Laws of the Company as amended and restated through November 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2007).

  4.1

   Form of the Company’s 5.50% Notes due February 15, 2009, issued under the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).

  4.2

   Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).

  4.3

   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 2003, among WP Company LLC, the Company and Bank One, NA, as successor to The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between The Washington Post Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).

  4.4

   Five Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 8, 2006, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, National Association, SunTrust Bank, The Bank of New York, PNC Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2006).

10.1

   The Washington Post Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as amended on June 26, 2008.

31.1

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

32

   Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

    THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
    (Registrant)
Date: August 5, 2008    

/s/ Donald E. Graham

    Donald E. Graham,
    Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: August 5, 2008    

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.

    John B. Morse, Jr.,
    Senior Vice President-Finance
    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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