NEW YORK TIMES CO - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2016

Commission file number 1-5837

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



NEW YORK		13-1102020
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

620 EIGHTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK

(Address of principal executive offices)

10018

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-556-1234

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

Number of shares of each class of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 29, 2016 (exclusive of treasury shares):



Class A Common Stock	160,111,668	shares
Class B Common Stock	816,635	shares

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

INDEX



	ITEM NO.
PART I		Financial Information	1
Item	1	Financial Statements	1
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2016 (unaudited) and December 27, 2015	1
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the quarter and three months ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015	3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the quarter and three months ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015	4
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015	5
		Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item	2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item	3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	23
Item	4	Controls and Procedures	23

PART II		Other Information	24
Item	1	Legal Proceedings	24
Item	1A	Risk Factors	24
Item	2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	24
Item	6	Exhibits	24

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)



	March 27, 2016		December 27, 2015
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	185,693	$	105,776
Short-term marketable securities	436,397		507,639
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $12,233 in 2016 and $13,485 in 2015)	170,018		207,180
Prepaid expenses	21,536		19,430
Other current assets	32,484		22,507
Total current assets	846,128		862,532
Other assets
Long-term marketable securities	252,157		291,136
Investments in joint ventures	10,922		22,815
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $870,536 in 2016 and $856,974 in 2015)	621,696		632,439
Goodwill	110,291		109,085
Intangible assets	12,250		—
Deferred income taxes	305,812		309,142
Miscellaneous assets	152,731		190,541
Total assets	$	2,311,987	$	2,417,690

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-(Continued)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)



	March 27, 2016			December 27, 2015
	(Unaudited)
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	85,887		$	96,082
Accrued payroll and other related liabilities	52,303			98,256
Unexpired subscriptions	64,051			60,184
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	188,579			188,377
Accrued expenses and other	122,318			120,686
Total current liabilities	513,138			563,585
Other liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	243,907			242,851
Pension benefits obligation	615,096			627,697
Postretirement benefits obligation	61,800			62,879
Other	84,966			92,223
Total other liabilities	1,005,769			1,025,650
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock of $.10 par value:
Class A – authorized: 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2016 – 168,982,469; 2015 – 168,263,533 (including treasury shares: 2016 – 8,870,801; 2015 – 7,691,129)	16,898			16,826
Class B – convertible – authorized and issued shares: 2016 – 816,635; 2015 – 816,635 (including treasury shares: 2016 – none; 2015 – none)	82			82
Additional paid-in capital	140,895			146,348
Retained earnings	1,314,030			1,328,744
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	(171,211		)	(156,155		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,164			17
Funded status of benefit plans	(505,167		)	(509,111		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(504,003		)	(509,094		)
Total New York Times Company stockholders’ equity	796,691			826,751
Noncontrolling interest	(3,611		)	1,704
Total stockholders’ equity	793,080			828,455
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,311,987		$	2,417,690

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)




	For the Quarters Ended
	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015
	(13 weeks)
Revenues
Circulation	$	217,994		$	212,793
Advertising	139,680			149,908
Other	21,841			21,538
Total revenues	379,515			384,239
Operating costs
Production costs:
Raw materials	17,875			20,277
Wages and benefits	92,471			90,638
Other	47,516			45,721
Total production costs	157,862			156,636
Selling, general and administrative costs	178,246			178,797
Depreciation and amortization	15,472			14,844
Total operating costs	351,580			350,277
Pension settlement charges	—			40,329
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			4,697
Operating profit/(loss)	27,935			(11,064		)
Loss from joint ventures	(41,896		)	(572		)
Interest expense, net	8,826			12,192
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(22,787		)	(23,828		)
Income tax benefit	(9,201		)	(9,407		)
Net loss	(13,586		)	(14,421		)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	5,315			159
Net loss attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	(8,271	)	$	(14,262	)
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	161,003			163,988
Diluted	161,003			163,988
Basic loss per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.09	)
Diluted loss per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.09	)
Dividends declared per share	$	0.04		$	0.04

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	For the Quarters Ended
	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015
	(13 weeks)
Net loss	$	(13,586	)	$	(14,421	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Income/(loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments	1,642			(8,527		)
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation	6,552			49,338
Other comprehensive income, before tax	8,194			40,811
Income tax expense	3,103			16,320
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,091			24,491
Comprehensive (loss)/income	(8,495		)	10,070
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	5,315			159
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	(3,180	)	$	10,229

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	For the Quarters Ended
	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015
	(13 weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(13,586	)	$	(14,421	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Pension settlement charges	—			40,329
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			4,697
Depreciation and amortization	15,472			14,844
Stock-based compensation expense	2,931			1,852
Undistributed loss of joint ventures	41,896			572
Long-term retirement benefit obligations	(6,886		)	(2,602		)
Uncertain tax positions	460			(118		)
Other-net	(5,793		)	5,271
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable-net	37,162			46,788
Other current assets	(1,808		)	9,410
Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities	(94,399		)	(98,532		)
Unexpired subscriptions	3,867			2,983
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	(20,684		)	11,073
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities	(34,912		)	(136,466		)
Maturities of marketable securities	143,965			357,820
Cash distribution from corporate-owned life insurance	38,000			—
Acquisition of digital marketing agency	(12,250		)	—
Capital expenditures	(10,542		)	(8,791		)
Change in restricted cash	(470		)	398
Other-net	(1,026		)	(1,472		)
Net cash provided by investing activities	122,765			211,489
Cash flows from financing activities
Long-term obligations:
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(138		)	(223,664		)
Dividends paid	(6,461		)	(6,693		)
Capital shares:
Stock issuances	—			101,879
Repurchases	(15,684		)	(3,221		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(22,283		)	(131,699		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	79,798			90,863
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	119			(1,295		)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	105,776			176,607
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	185,693		$	266,175

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management of The New York Times Company (the “Company”), the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015, and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively as “we,” “us” or “our.” All adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules, certain notes or other financial information that are normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. These financial statements, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations. The fiscal periods included herein comprise 13 weeks for the first quarter.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

For comparability, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations for additional information regarding reclassified amounts.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As of March 27, 2016, our significant accounting policies, which are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015, have not changed.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which provides guidance on accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance becomes effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 25, 2016. Early application is permitted. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures, and intrinsic value will be applied using a modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. Amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when the Company withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement will be applied retrospectively. Amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term will be applied prospectively. The Company may elect to apply the amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new stock compensation guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which provides guidance on accounting for leases and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The guidance requires lessees to recognize the following for all operating and finance leases at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is the obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and (2) a right-of-use asset representing the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases with a term of 12 months or less. The guidance does not fundamentally change lessor accounting; however, some changes have been made to align that guidance with the lessee guidance and other areas within GAAP. This guidance becomes effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 30, 2018. Early application is permitted. This guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis for leases existing at, or entered into after, the earliest period presented in the financial statements. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new leasing guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which prescribes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. There are two transition options available to entities: the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Under the full retrospective approach, the Company would restate prior periods in compliance with Accounting Standards Codification 250,

“Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” Alternatively, the Company may elect the modified retrospective approach, which allows for the new revenue standard to be applied to existing contracts as of the effective date and record a cumulative catch-up adjustment to retained earnings. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, subject to finalization. Early application is permitted. Subsequently, in March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. The amendments in ASU 2016-08 do not change the core principle of ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB also issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance on identifying promised goods or services when identifying a performance obligation and improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments in ASU 2016-10 do not change the core principle of ASU 2014-09. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new revenue guidance.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not specifically identified in our disclosures are either not applicable to the Company or not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Our marketable debt securities consisted of the following:



(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		December 27, 2015
Short-term marketable securities
U.S Treasury securities	$	155,103	$	184,278
Corporate debt securities	163,595		185,561
U.S. agency securities	54,114		65,222
Municipal securities	—		1,363
Certificates of deposit	38,253		60,244
Commercial paper	25,332		10,971
Total short-term marketable securities	$	436,397	$	507,639
Long-term marketable securities
Corporate debt securities	$	105,406	$	119,784
U.S. agency securities	128,971		150,583
U.S Treasury securities	17,780		20,769
Total long-term marketable securities	$	252,157	$	291,136

As of March 27, 2016, our short-term and long-term marketable securities had remaining maturities of less than 1 month to 12 months and 13 months to 20 months, respectively. See Note 9 for additional information regarding the fair value of our marketable securities.

NOTE 4. GOODWILL

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill as of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015 were as follows:



(In thousands)	Total Company
Balance as of December 27, 2015	$	109,085
Foreign currency translation	1,206
Balance as of March 27, 2016	$	110,291

The foreign currency translation line item reflects changes in goodwill resulting from fluctuating exchange rates related to the consolidation of certain international subsidiaries.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company acquired HelloSociety, LLC (“HelloSociety”), a digital marketing agency, for $12.3 million in a cash transaction effective February 29, 2016. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of this acquisition subsequent to the date of acquisition.

The Company has preliminarily allocated the entire purchase price of the HelloSociety acquisition to intangible assets pending the completion of the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This allocation will be adjusted once additional information concerning asset and liability valuations is obtained. The final asset and liability fair values may differ from those included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 27, 2016; however, the changes are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS

Equity Method Investments

As of March 27, 2016, our investments in joint ventures consisted of equity ownership interests in the following entities:



Company	Approximate % Ownership
Donohue Malbaie Inc.	49	%
Madison Paper Industries	40	%
Women in the World Media, LLC	30	%

We have investments in Donohue Malbaie Inc. (“Malbaie”), a Canadian newsprint company, Madison Paper Industries (“Madison”), a partnership that operated a supercalendered paper mill in Maine, and Women in the World Media, LLC, a live-event conference business.

Our Company and UPM-Kymmene Corporation, a Finnish paper manufacturing company, are partners through subsidiary companies in Madison. The Company’s 40% ownership of Madison is through an 80%-owned consolidated subsidiary. UPM-Kymmene owns 60% of Madison, including a 10% interest through a 20% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated subsidiary of the Company. During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a $41.4 million loss from joint ventures related to the announced closure of the paper mill operated by Madison. Our proportionate share of the loss was $20.1 million after tax and adjusted for the allocation of the loss to the noncontrolling interest. As a result of these costs, our investment in Madison was decreased to zero and a liability of $29.6 million was recorded in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe Madison will have sufficient existing assets to sell and recover, including cash, receivables and inventory, and therefore we do not currently expect that we will be required to use any of our cash in the wind down of this investment.

We received no distributions from our equity method investments during the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015.

We purchase newsprint from Malbaie, and previously purchased supercalendered paper from Madison, at competitive prices. Such purchases totaled $3.0 million and $3.5 million for the three-month periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively.

Cost Method Investments

The aggregate carrying amount of cost method investments included in “Miscellaneous assets’’ in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were $12.2 million and $11.9 million for March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015, respectively.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 7. DEBT OBLIGATIONS

Our current indebtedness includes senior notes and the repurchase option related to a sale-leaseback of a portion of our New York headquarters. Our total debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:



(In thousands, except percentages)	March 27, 2016		December 27, 2015
Senior notes due in December 2016:
Principal amount	$	189,170	$	189,170
Less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 6.625%	591		793
Total senior notes due in 2016	188,579		188,377
Option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building in 2019:
Principal amount	250,000		250,000
Less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 13.0%	12,855		13,905
Total option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building in 2019	237,145		236,095
Capital lease obligations	6,762		6,756
Total debt and capital lease obligations	432,486		431,228
Less current portion	188,579		188,377
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	243,907	$	242,851

See Note 9 for information regarding the fair value of our long-term debt.

“Interest expense, net,” as shown in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015
Interest expense	$	9,922		$	12,169
Amortization of debt costs and discount on debt	1,253			1,215
Capitalized interest	(116		)	(51		)
Interest income	(2,233		)	(1,141		)
Total interest expense, net	$	8,826		$	12,192

NOTE 8. OTHER

Severance Costs

We recognized severance costs of $3.6 million and $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. These costs are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative costs” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We had a severance liability of $10.4 million and $14.9 million included in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015, respectively.

Pension Settlement Charge

See Note 10 for information regarding our pension settlement charge.

Multiemployer Pension Plan Withdrawal Expense

See Note 10 for information regarding our multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses incurred to promote our consumer and marketing services were $21.1 million and $21.4 million in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Capitalized Computer Software Costs

Amortization of capitalized computer software costs included in “Depreciation and amortization” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $3.0 million and $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The transaction would be in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, based on assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels:

Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2–inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3–unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Assets/Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes our financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015:



(In thousands)	March 27, 2016								December 27, 2015
(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Deferred compensation	$	29,004	$	29,004	$	—	$	—	$	35,578	$	35,578	$	—	$	—

The deferred compensation liability, included in “Other liabilities—Other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, consists of deferrals under The New York Times Company Deferred Executive Compensation Plan (the “DEC”), which enables certain eligible executives to elect to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis. The deferred amounts are invested at the executives’ option in various mutual funds. The fair value of deferred compensation is based on the mutual fund investments elected by the executives and on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The DEC was frozen effective December 31, 2015.

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Reported, at Fair Value

Our marketable securities, which include U.S. Treasury securities, corporate debt securities, U.S. government agency securities, municipal securities, certificates of deposit and commercial paper, are recorded at amortized cost (see Note 3). As of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015, the amortized cost approximated fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these investments. We classified these investments as Level 2 since the fair value estimates are based on market observable inputs for investments with similar terms and maturities.

The carrying value of our long-term debt was $237 million as of March 27, 2016 and $236 million as of December 27, 2015. The fair value of our long-term debt was $316 million as of March 27, 2016 and December 27, 2015. We estimate the fair value of our debt utilizing market quotations for debt that have quoted prices in active markets. Since our debt does not trade on a daily basis in an active market, the fair value estimates are based on market observable inputs based on borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and average maturities (Level 2).

NOTE 10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Pension

Single-Employer Plans

We sponsor several single-employer defined benefit pension plans, the majority of which have been frozen. We also participate in two joint Company and Guild-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees who are members of The News Guild of New York, including The Newspaper Guild of New York - The New York Times Pension Fund, which was frozen in 2012 and replaced by a successor plan, The Guild-Times Adjustable Pension Plan.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
	March 27, 2016								March 29, 2015
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans
Service cost	$	2,247		$	—	$	2,247		$	2,988		$	—	$	2,988
Interest cost	16,574			2,034		18,608			18,938			2,502		21,440
Expected return on plan assets	(27,790		)	—		(27,790		)	(28,775		)	—		(28,775		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	7,069			1,053		8,122			9,397			1,270		10,667
Amortization of prior service credit	(486		)	—		(486		)	(486		)	—		(486		)
Effect of settlement	—			—		—			40,329			—		40,329
Net periodic pension (income)/cost	$	(2,386	)	$	3,087	$	701		$	42,391		$	3,772	$	46,163

During the first three months of 2016 and 2015, we made pension contributions of $2.1 million to certain qualified pension plans. We expect to make total contributions of $7.6 million in 2016 to satisfy funding requirements.

In the first quarter of 2016, we changed the methodology used to calculate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for retirement plans to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs. Historically we calculated these service and interest components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. As of the first quarter of 2016, we have elected to utilize an approach that discounts the individual expected cash flows using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve over the projected cash flow period. We have accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate that is inseparable from a change in accounting principle and accordingly have accounted for it prospectively.

As part of our strategy to reduce the pension obligations and the resulting volatility of our overall financial condition, we have offered lump-sum payments to certain former employees participating in both our qualified and non-qualified pension plans. In the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a pension settlement charge of $40.3 million in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans. These lump-sum payments totaled $98.3 million and were made with cash from the qualified pension plans, not with Company cash. The effect of this lump-sum payment offer was to reduce our pension obligations by $142.8 million

Multiemployer Plans

During the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a $4.7 million charge related to a partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit income were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015
Service cost	$	104		$	147
Interest cost	495			688
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,026			1,303
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,110		)	(2,475		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(485	)	$	(337	)

NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES

The Company had an income tax benefit of $9.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2015. The income tax benefit in 2016 is due to the $22.8 million loss from continuing operations before taxes that resulted from the Company’s share of losses from the announced closure of the Madison paper mill. The income tax benefit in 2015 was due to the $23.8 million loss from continuing operations before taxes that resulted from two pension charges.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 12. EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE

We compute earnings/(loss) per share using a two-class method, an earnings allocation method used when a company’s capital structure includes either two or more classes of common stock or common stock and participating securities. This method determines earnings/(loss) per share based on dividends declared on common stock and participating securities (i.e., distributed earnings), as well as participation rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings.

Earnings/(loss) per share is computed using both basic shares and diluted shares. The difference between basic and diluted shares is that diluted shares include the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of outstanding securities. Our stock options, stock-settled long-term performance awards and restricted stock units could have the most significant impact on diluted shares. The decrease in our basic shares is primarily due to repurchases of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

Securities that could potentially be dilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share when a loss from continuing operations exists or when the exercise price exceeds the market value of our Class A Common Stock, because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts.

The number of stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive was approximately 6 million in the first quarter of 2016 and approximately 8 million in the first quarter of 2015.

NOTE 13. SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY INFORMATION

Stockholders’ equity is summarized as follows:



(In thousands)	Total New York Times Company Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance as of December 27, 2015	$	826,751		$	1,704		$	828,455
Net loss	(8,271		)	(5,315		)	(13,586		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,091			—			5,091
Effect of issuance of shares	(8,675		)	—			(8,675		)
Share repurchases	(15,056		)	—			(15,056		)
Dividends declared	(6,443		)	—			(6,443		)
Stock-based compensation	3,294			—			3,294
Balance as of March 27, 2016	$	796,691		$	(3,611	)	$	793,080



(In thousands)	Total New York Times Company Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance as of December 28, 2014	$	726,328		$	2,021		$	728,349
Net loss	(14,262		)	(159		)	(14,421		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	24,491			—			24,491
Effect of issuance of shares	99,828			—			99,828
Share repurchases	(3,800		)	—			(3,800		)
Dividends declared	(6,693		)	—			(6,693		)
Stock-based compensation	1,938			—			1,938
Balance as of March 29, 2015	$	827,830		$	1,862		$	829,692

In January 2009, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, we issued warrants to affiliates of Carlos Slim Helú, then the beneficial owner of approximately 8% of our Class A Common Stock (excluding the warrants), to purchase 15.9 million shares of our Class A Common Stock at a price of $6.3572 per share. On January 14, 2015, the warrant holders exercised these warrants in full and the Company received cash proceeds of $101.1 million from this exercise.

On January 13, 2015, the Board of Directors terminated an existing authorization to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approved a new repurchase authorization of $101.1 million, equal to the cash proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of warrants. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had repurchased 6,690,905 Class A shares under this authorization for a cost of $84.9 million (excluding commissions) and $16.2 million remained. Our Board of

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Directors has authorized us to purchase shares under this authorization from time to time as market conditions permit. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI by component as of March 27, 2016:



(In thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Funded Status of Benefit Plans			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 27, 2015	$	17	$	(509,111	)	$	(509,094	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax⁽¹⁾	1,642		—			1,642
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax⁽¹⁾	—		6,552			6,552
Income tax expense⁽¹⁾	495		2,608			3,103
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,147		3,944			5,091
Balance as of March 27, 2016	$	1,164	$	(505,167	)	$	(504,003	)


⁽¹⁾	All amounts are shown net of noncontrolling interest.

The following table summarizes the reclassifications from AOCI for the three months ended March 27, 2016:



(In thousands)
Detail about accumulated other comprehensive loss components	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			Affect line item in the statement where net income is presented
Funded status of benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit⁽¹⁾	$	(2,596	)	Selling, general & administrative costs
Amortization of actuarial loss⁽¹⁾	9,148			Selling, general & administrative costs
Total reclassification, before tax⁽²⁾	6,552
Income tax expense	2,608			Income tax (benefit)/expense
Total reclassification, net of tax	$	3,944


⁽¹⁾	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other retirement benefits. See Note 10 for additional information.


⁽²⁾	There were no reclassifications relating to noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended March 27, 2016.

NOTE 14. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have one reportable segment that includes The New York Times, International New York Times, NYTimes.com, international.nytimes.com and related businesses. Therefore, all required segment information can be found in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our operating segment generated revenues principally from circulation and advertising. Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, rental income, our NYT Live business and e-commerce.

NOTE 15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Restricted Cash

We were required to maintain $29.2 million of restricted cash as of March 27, 2016 and $28.7 million as of December 27, 2015, the majority of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.

Newspaper and Mail Deliverers–Publishers’ Pension Fund

In September 2013, the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers-Publishers’ Pension Fund (the “Fund”) assessed a partial withdrawal liability to the Company in the amount of $26 million for the plan years ending May 31, 2012 and 2013, an amount that was increased to approximately $34 million in December 2014, when the Fund issued a revised partial withdrawal liability assessment for the plan year ending May 31, 2013. The Fund claims that when City & Suburban Delivery Systems, Inc., a retail and newsstand distribution subsidiary of the Company and the largest contributor to the Fund, ceased operations in 2009, it triggered a decline of more than 70% in contribution base units in each of these two plan years. The Company disagrees with

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

both the Fund’s determination that a partial withdrawal occurred and the methodology by which it calculated the withdrawal liability, and the matter is currently being arbitrated. We do not believe that a loss is probable on this matter and have not recorded a loss contingency for the period ended March 27, 2016. However, as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, we have been making the quarterly payments to the Fund set forth in the demand letters. As of March 27, 2016, we have paid $13.4 million since the receipt of the initial demand letter, including $1.8 million in 2016.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corporation

The Company is involved in class action litigation brought on behalf of individuals who, from 2006 to 2011, delivered newspapers at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corporation (“Worcester”), a subsidiary of the Company. The plaintiffs are asserting several claims against Worcester, including a challenge to their classification as independent contractors, and seek unspecified damages. In April 2016, the parties engaged in an unsuccessful mediation process to resolve the litigation. The Company believes that the claims made by the plaintiffs are without merit and continues to vigorously defend its position. The Company is unable to estimate a loss or range of possible losses at this time.

Other

We are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business that are now pending against us. These actions are generally for amounts greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that may be required to be made. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome in one or more matters could be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for an individual reporting period. However, based on currently available information, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On April 26, 2016, we informed employees of proposed measures intended to streamline our international operations and support future growth efforts. These measures include a redesign of our international print newspaper and the relocation of certain editing and production operations currently conducted in Paris to our locations in Hong Kong and New York. These measures would result in the elimination of approximately 70 positions.

We have initiated discussions with the relevant employee works council in Paris regarding the proposed measures. We expect to incur approximately $15 million of total costs related to the measures, including approximately $13 million of relocation and severance-related charges and approximately $2 million of lease impairment and other contract-related charges.

The proposed measures remain subject to consultation with the works council, which will be conducted in accordance with applicable French law. We currently anticipate substantially all of the charges relating to the proposed measures to be recognized in the second quarter of 2016.

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

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We are a global media organization that includes newspapers, print and digital products and investments. We have one reportable segment with businesses that include our newspapers, websites, mobile applications and related businesses.

We generate revenues principally from circulation and advertising. Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, rental income, our NYT Live business and e-commerce. Our main operating costs are employee-related costs.

In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we present certain information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are presenting in this report supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measures that exclude depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and certain identified special items, as applicable. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and should be read in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. For further information and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP items, respectively, diluted (loss)/earnings per share, operating profit and operating costs, see “Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Financial Highlights

For the first quarter of 2016, diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.05, compared with a loss of $0.09 for the first quarter of 2015. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below (or “adjusted diluted earnings per share,” a non-GAAP measure) were $0.10 and $0.11 for the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company had an operating profit of $27.9 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared with an operating loss of $11.1 million for the first quarter of 2015. Operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below (or “adjusted operating profit,” a non-GAAP measure) was $51.5 million and $59.2 million for the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

During the first quarter, the Company acquired HelloSociety, LLC (“HelloSociety”), a digital marketing agency, for $12.3 million in a cash transaction. Management expects this acquisition to complement our branded content studio and contribute to digital advertising revenue.

Total revenues decreased slightly to $379.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 from $384.2 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, the Company reclassified revenue from our Crossword product, including prior period information, into circulation revenues from other revenues. See “—Results of Operations—Circulation Revenues” for more information on this reclassification.

Compared with the first quarter of 2015, circulation revenues increased 2.4% in the first quarter of 2016, as digital subscription growth and a print home-delivery price increase for The Times more than offset a decline in the number of print copies sold. Circulation revenues from our digital-only subscription packages, e-readers and replica editions increased 14.2% in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015.

Paid digital-only subscriptions totaled approximately 1,357,000 as of the end of the first quarter of 2016, a 23.5% increase compared to the end of the first quarter of 2015. Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, the Company revised the number of paid digital-only subscriptions to include paid subscriptions to our Crossword product, and similarly revised prior period information. See “—Results of Operations—Circulation Revenues” for more information.

Total advertising revenues decreased 6.8% in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015, reflecting a 9.0% decrease in print advertising revenues and a 1.3% decrease in digital advertising revenues. The decrease in print advertising revenues resulted primarily from a decline in display advertising. The decrease in digital advertising revenues primarily reflected a decrease in traditional website display advertising, partially offset by increases in revenue from our mobile platform, our programmatic buying channels and the HelloSociety acquisition.

Compared with the first quarter of 2015, other revenues increased 1.4% in the first quarter of 2016, driven primarily by increased revenues from the Company’s NYT Live business.

Operating costs were relatively flat in the first quarter of 2016 at $351.6 million compared with $350.3 million in the first quarter of 2015, as higher costs associated with hiring in later quarters of 2015 and higher severance were offset by lower non-operating retirement costs. Operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs

discussed below (or “adjusted operating costs,” a non-GAAP measure) increased 0.9 percent to $328.0 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared with $325.0 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Non-operating retirement costs decreased to $4.5 million during the first quarter of 2016 compared with $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2015, driven by a change in the methodology of calculating the discount rate applied to retirement costs.

During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a $41.4 million loss from joint ventures related to the closure of a paper mill operated by Madison Paper Industries (“Madison”), in which we have an investment through a subsidiary. Our proportionate share of the loss was $20.1 million after tax and adjusted for the allocation of the loss to the noncontrolling interest. As a result of these costs, our investment in Madison was decreased to zero and a liability of $29.6 million was recorded in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe Madison will have sufficient existing assets to sell and recover, including cash, receivables and inventory, and therefore we do not currently expect that we will be required to use any of our cash in the wind down of this investment.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents our consolidated financial results:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015			% Change
Revenues
Circulation	$	217,994		$	212,793		2.4	%
Advertising	139,680			149,908			(6.8	)%
Other	21,841			21,538			1.4	%
Total revenues	379,515			384,239			(1.2	)%
Operating costs
Production costs:
Raw materials	17,875			20,277			(11.8	)%
Wages and benefits	92,471			90,638			2.0	%
Other	47,516			45,721			3.9	%
Total production costs	157,862			156,636			0.8	%
Selling, general and administrative costs	178,246			178,797			(0.3	)%
Depreciation and amortization	15,472			14,844			4.2	%
Total operating costs	351,580			350,277			0.4	%
Pension settlement charges	—			40,329			*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			4,697			*
Operating profit/(loss)	27,935			(11,064		)	*
Loss from joint ventures	(41,896		)	(572		)	*
Interest expense, net	8,826			12,192			(27.6	)%
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(22,787		)	(23,828		)	(4.4	)%
Income tax benefit	(9,201		)	(9,407		)	(2.2	)%
Net loss	(13,586		)	(14,421		)	(5.8	)%
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	5,315			159			*
Net loss attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	(8,271	)	$	(14,262	)	(42.0	)%

* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.

Revenues

Circulation Revenues

Total circulation revenues consist of revenues from our print and digital products, including our digital-only subscription packages, e-readers and replica editions. These revenues are based on the number of copies of the printed newspaper sold (through home-delivery subscriptions and single-copy and bulk sales) and digital-only subscriptions and the rates charged to the respective customers. All print home-delivery subscribers receive unlimited digital access.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company reclassified the subscription revenue from our Crossword product, including prior period information, into circulation revenues from other revenues. The following table summarizes the first-quarter 2016 and 2015 digital-only subscription revenues:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		March 29, 2015		% Change
Digital-only subscription revenues:
Digital-only news product subscription revenues	$	52,075	$	46,127	12.9	%
Digital Crossword product subscription revenues	2,098		1,323		58.6	%
Total digital-only subscription revenues	$	54,173	$	47,450	14.2	%

Consistent with this reclassification, the Company also adjusted the number of digital-only subscriptions to include Crossword product subscriptions. The following table summarizes first-quarter 2016 and 2015 digital-only subscriptions:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016	March 29, 2015	% Change
Digital-only subscriptions:
Digital-only news product subscriptions	1,161	957	21.3	%
Digital Crossword product subscriptions	196	142	38.0	%
Total digital-only subscriptions	1,357	1,099	23.5	%

Circulation revenues increased 2.4% in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same prior-year period primarily due to growth in our digital subscription base and an increase in print home-delivery prices at The Times, offset by a reduction in the number of print copies sold. Revenues from our digital-only subscriptions (including e-readers and replica editions) were $54.2 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 14.2% from the first quarter of 2015.

Advertising Revenues

Advertising revenues are derived from the sale of our advertising products and services on our print, web and mobile platforms. These revenues are primarily determined by the volume, rate and mix of advertisements. Display advertising revenue is principally from advertisers promoting products, services or brands in print in the form of column-inch ads, and on our web and mobile platforms in the form of banners, video, rich media and other interactive ads. Classified advertising revenue includes line-ads sold in the major categories of real estate, help wanted, automotive and other. Other advertising revenue primarily includes creative services fees associated with our branded content studio; revenue from preprinted advertising, also known as free-standing inserts; revenue generated from branded bags in which our newspapers are delivered; and advertising revenues from our news services business.

Advertising revenues (print and digital) by category were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		March 29, 2015		% Change
Display	$	126,021	$	136,433	(7.6	)%
Classified	8,164		9,324		(12.4	)%
Other	5,495		4,151		32.4	%
Total	$	139,680	$	149,908	(6.8	)%

Below is a percentage breakdown of advertising revenues (print and digital) for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015:



	Display		Classified		Other		Total
2016	90	%	6	%	4	%	100	%
2015	91	%	6	%	3	%	100	%

Print advertising revenues, which represented 70.1% of total advertising revenues for the first quarter of 2016, declined 9.0% in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same prior-year period, driven by a decline in display advertising, primarily in the entertainment, corporate, advocacy, retail and financial categories, partially offset by an increase in the luxury category.

Digital advertising revenues, which represented 29.9% of total advertising revenues for the first quarter of 2016, decreased 1.3% compared with the same prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in traditional website display advertising, partially offset by increases in revenue from our mobile platform, our programmatic buying channels and the HelloSociety acquisition.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased 1.4% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the same prior-year period, primarily due to revenues from our NYT Live business.

Operating Costs

Operating costs were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		March 29, 2015		% Change
Production costs:
Raw materials	$	17,875	$	20,277	(11.8	)%
Wages and benefits	92,471		90,638		2.0	%
Other	47,516		45,721		3.9	%
Total production costs	157,862		156,636		0.8	%
Selling, general and administrative costs	178,246		178,797		(0.3	)%
Depreciation and amortization	15,472		14,844		4.2	%
Total operating costs	$	351,580	$	350,277	0.4	%

Production Costs

Production costs increased in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015 due to an increase in wages and benefits expenses ($1.8 million) and other expenses ($1.8 million), offset by a decrease in raw materials expense ($2.4 million). Wages and benefits expenses increased as a result of increased headcount to support our digital initiatives. Other expenses increased primarily as a result of higher outside service costs. Raw materials expense decreased as a result of a 16.8% decline in newsprint expense in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015, with 4.2% from lower consumption and 12.6% from lower pricing. The decline was partially offset by a 3.0% increase in magazine paper expense in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015, with 2.0% from higher consumption and 1.0% from higher pricing.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, general and administrative costs decreased in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015 primarily due to a decrease in non-operating retirement costs ($4.3 million), distribution costs ($1.6 million), outside services ($1.4 million) and other expenses (approximately $2 million), offset by higher compensation costs ($6.9 million) and severance costs ($2.1 million). Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of increased hiring to support growth initiatives.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the first quarter of 2015 primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense related to new technology equipment, as well as building improvements at various locations.

Other Items

See Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding other items.

NON-OPERATING ITEMS

Joint Ventures

See Note 6 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our joint venture investments.

Interest Expense, Net

See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding interest expense.

Income Taxes

See Note 11 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We have included in this report certain supplemental financial information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures in this report:


•	diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and the impact of special items (or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations);


•	operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit); and


•	operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs (or adjusted operating costs).

The special items in the first quarter of 2016 consisted of a $41.4 million loss ($20.1 million after tax and net of the noncontrolling interest) from joint ventures related to the announced closure of the paper mill operated by Madison.

The special items in the first quarter of 2015 consisted of a $40.3 million pension settlement charge ($24.0 million after tax) in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans and a $4.7 million charge ($2.8 million after tax) for a partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan.

We have included these non-GAAP financial measures because management reviews them on a regular basis and uses them to evaluate and manage the performance of our operations. We believe that, for the reasons outlined below, these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors as a supplement to reported diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations, operating profit/(loss) and operating costs. However, these measures should be evaluated only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as alternative or superior measures of GAAP results.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share provides useful information in evaluating our period-to-period performance because it eliminates items that we do not consider to be indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. Adjusted operating profit is useful in evaluating the ongoing performance of our businesses as it excludes the significant non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization as well as items not indicative of ongoing operating activities. Total operating costs include depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs. Adjusted operating costs, which exclude these items, provide investors with helpful supplemental information on our underlying operating costs that is used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Non-operating retirement costs include:


•	interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial gain and loss components of pension expense;


•	interest cost and amortization of actuarial gain and loss components of retiree medical expense; and


•	all expenses associated with multiemployer pension plan withdrawal obligations, not otherwise included as special items.

These non-operating retirement costs are primarily tied to financial market performance and changes in market interest rates and investment performance. Non-operating retirement costs do not include service costs and amortization of prior service costs for pension and retiree medical benefits, which we believe reflect the ongoing operating costs of providing pension and retiree medical benefits to our employees. We consider non-operating retirement costs to be outside the performance of our ongoing core business operations and believe that presenting operating results excluding non-operating retirement costs, in addition to our GAAP operating results, will provide increased transparency and a better understanding of the underlying trends in our operating business performance.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures from, respectively, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, operating profit and operating costs, the most directly comparable GAAP items, as well as details on the components of non-operating retirement costs, are set out in the tables below.



Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations)

	For the Quarters Ended
	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015			% Change
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.09	)	(44.4	)%
Add:
Severance	0.01			0.01			*
Non-operating retirement costs	0.02			0.03			(33.3	)%
Special items:
Pension settlement charge	—			0.15			*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			0.02			*
Loss from joint ventures, net of tax and noncontrolling interest	0.13			—			*
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ⁽¹⁾	$	0.10		$	0.11		(9.1	)%
⁽¹⁾ Amounts may not add due to rounding.
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful



Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation & amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit)

	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		March 29, 2015			% Change
Operating profit/(loss)	$	27,935	$	(11,064	)	*
Add:
Depreciation & amortization	15,472		14,844			4.2	%
Severance	3,600		1,517			*
Non-operating retirement costs	4,536		8,875			(48.9	)%
Special items:
Pension settlement charges	—		40,329			*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—		4,697			*
Adjusted operating profit	$	51,543	$	59,198		(12.9	)%
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.



Reconciliation of operating costs before depreciation & amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs (or adjusted operating costs)

	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016		March 29, 2015		% Change
Operating costs	$	351,580	$	350,277	0.4	%
Less:
Depreciation & amortization	15,472		14,844		4.2	%
Severance	3,600		1,517		*
Non-operating retirement costs	4,536		8,875		(48.9	)%
Adjusted operating costs	$	327,972	$	325,041	0.9	%



Components of non-operating retirement costs⁽¹⁾
	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015			% Change
Pension:
Interest cost	$	18,608		$	21,440		(13.2	)%
Expected return on plan assets	(27,790		)	(28,775		)	(3.4	)%
Amortization and other costs	8,122			10,667			(23.9	)%
Non-operating pension costs	(1,060		)	3,332			*
Other postretirement benefits:
Interest cost	495			688			(28.1	)%
Amortization and other costs	1,026			1,303			(21.3	)%
Non-operating other postretirement benefits costs	1,521			1,991			(23.6	)%
Expenses associated with multiemployer pension plan withdrawal obligations	4,075			3,552			14.7	%
Total non-operating retirement costs	$	4,536		$	8,875		(48.9	)%
⁽¹⁾Components of non-operating retirement costs do not include special items.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We believe our cash balance and cash provided by operations, in combination with other sources of cash, will be sufficient to meet our financing needs over the next twelve months. As of March 27, 2016, we had cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities of $874.2 million and total debt and capital lease obligations of $432.5 million. Accordingly, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities exceeded total debt and capital lease obligations by $441.8 million. Our cash and investment balances have declined since the end of 2015, primarily due to variable compensation payments of approximately $53 million, net tax payments of $23.2 million, stock repurchases of $15.7 million and the HelloSociety purchase price of $12.3 million, offset by proceeds from the maturity of $144.0 million of marketable securities and $38.0 million cash distribution from the liquidation of certain investments related to our corporate-owned life insurance.

On January 13, 2015, the Board of Directors terminated an existing authorization to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approved a new repurchase authorization of $101.1 million, equal to the cash proceeds received by the Company from the exercise. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had repurchased 6,690,905 Class A shares under this authorization for a cost of $84.9 million (excluding commissions) and $16.2 million remained. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase shares under this authorization from time to time as market conditions permit. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

On February 18, 2016 our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.04 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock that was paid on April 21, 2016, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2016. Our Board of Directors will continue to evaluate the appropriate dividend level on an ongoing basis in light of our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, restrictions in any existing indebtedness and other relevant factors.

Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

Cash flows provided by/(used in) by category were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2016			March 29, 2015			% Change
Operating activities	$	(20,684	)	$	11,073		*
Investing activities	$	122,765		$	211,489		(42.0	)%
Financing activities	$	(22,283	)	$	(131,699	)	(83.1	)%

* Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.

Operating Activities

Cash from operating activities is generated by cash receipts from circulation, advertising sales and other revenue transactions. Operating cash outflows include payments for employee compensation, pension and other benefits, raw materials, interest and income taxes.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased in the first three months of 2016 compared with the same prior-year period due to higher income tax payments, higher costs and a decline in overall revenues.

Investing Activities

Cash from investing activities generally includes proceeds from marketable securities that have matured and the sale of assets, investments or a business. Cash used in investing activities generally includes purchases of marketable securities, payments for capital projects, restricted cash, acquisitions of new businesses and investments.

Net cash provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2016 was primarily due to maturities of marketable securities, cash distribution from the liquidation of certain investments related to our corporate-owned life insurance, offset by net purchases of marketable securities, capital expenditures and the purchase price for HelloSociety.

Financing Activities

Cash from financing activities generally includes borrowings under third-party financing arrangements, the issuance of long-term debt and funds from stock option exercises. Cash used in financing activities generally includes the repayment of amounts outstanding under third-party financing arrangements, the payment of dividends and the payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations.

Net cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2016 was primarily related to share repurchases of $15.7 million and dividend payments of $6.5 million.

Restricted Cash

Third-Party Financing

As of March 27, 2016, our current indebtedness included senior notes and the repurchase option related to a sale-leaseback of a portion of our New York headquarters. See Note 7 for information regarding our total debt and capital lease obligations. See Note 9 for information regarding the fair value of our long-term debt.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our critical accounting policies are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015. As of March 27, 2016, our critical accounting policies have not changed from December 27, 2015.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS & OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015. As of March 27, 2016, our contractual obligations and off-sheet balance sheet arrangements have not changed materially from December 27, 2015.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance. We may also make written and oral forward-looking statements in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and otherwise. We have tried, where possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” “could,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon our then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in any such statements. You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements. Factors that we think could, individually or in the aggregate, cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results include those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015, as well as other risks and factors identified from time to time in our SEC filings.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015, details our disclosures about market risk. As of March 27, 2016, there were no material changes in our market risks from December 27, 2015.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 27, 2016. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 27, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business that are now pending against us. These actions are generally for amounts greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that may be required to be made. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain matters, which is incorporated herein by reference. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome in one or more matters could be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for an individual reporting period. However, based on currently available information, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as set forth in “Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015.

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



Period	Total number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased (a)	Average price paid per share of Class A Common Stock (b)	Total number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (c)	Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares of Class A Common Stock that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (d)
December 28, 2015 - January 31, 2016	955,811	12.74	955,811	$	19,095,000
February 1, 2016 - February 28, 2016	223,861	12.77	223,861	$	16,235,000
February 29, 2016 - March 27, 2016	—	—	—	$	16,235,000
Total for the first quarter of 2016	1,179,672	12.74	1,179,672	$	16,235,000

⁽¹⁾

On January 13, 2015, the Board of Directors terminated an existing authorization to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approved a new repurchase authorization of $101.1 million, equal to the cash proceeds received by the Company from an exercise of warrants. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had repurchased 6,690,905 Class A shares under this authorization for a cost of $84.9 million (excluding commissions) and $16.2 million remained. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase shares under this authorization from time to time as market conditions permit. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

Item 6. Exhibits

An exhibit index has been filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

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 NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
		(Registrant)

Date:	May 5, 2016	/s/ JAMES M. FOLLO
		James M. Follo Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2016



Exhibit No.



10.1		Amendment No. 1 to The New York Times Companies Supplemental Retirement and Investment Plan, amended March 14, 2016 and effective January 1, 2016.

12		Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.

32.1		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.