NEW YORK TIMES CO - Quarter Report: 2017 September (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 September 24, 2017

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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by the check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 October 27, 2017 (exclusive of treasury shares):



Class A Common Stock	161,394,059	shares
Class B Common Stock	808,763	shares

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

INDEX



	ITEM NO.
PART I		Financial Information	1
Item	1	Financial Statements	1
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as September 24, 2017 (unaudited) and December 25, 2016	1
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the quarters and nine months ended September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016	3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the quarters and nine months ended September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016	5
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016	6
		Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item	2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item	3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	30
Item	4	Controls and Procedures	31

PART II		Other Information	32
Item	1	Legal Proceedings	32
Item	1A	Risk Factors	32
Item	2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	32
Item	6	Exhibits	33

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)



	September 24, 2017		December 25, 2016
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	244,667	$	100,692
Short-term marketable securities	336,442		449,535
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $13,838 in 2017 and $16,815 in 2016)	142,323		197,355
Prepaid expenses	17,869		15,948
Other current assets	26,462		32,648
Total current assets	767,763		796,178
Other assets
Long-term marketable securities	241,782		187,299
Investments in joint ventures	20,472		15,614
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $945,416 in 2017 and $903,736 in 2016)	618,835		596,743
Goodwill	143,171		134,517
Deferred income taxes	290,473		301,342
Miscellaneous assets	156,462		153,702
Total assets	$	2,238,958	$	2,185,395

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)



	September 24, 2017			December 25, 2016
	(Unaudited)
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	116,724		$	104,463
Accrued payroll and other related liabilities	90,651			96,463
Unexpired subscriptions	76,886			66,686
Accrued expenses and other	134,411			131,125
Total current liabilities	418,672			398,737
Other liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	249,375			246,978
Pension benefits obligation	518,395			558,790
Postretirement benefits obligation	55,107			57,999
Other	78,735			78,647
Total other liabilities	901,612			942,414
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock of $.10 par value:
Class A – authorized: 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2017 – 170,220,136; 2016 – 169,206,879 (including treasury shares: 2017 – 8,870,801; 2016 – 8,870,801)	17,022			16,921
Class B – convertible – authorized and issued shares: 2017 – 810,933; 2016 – 816,632 (including treasury shares: 2017 – none; 2016 – none)	81			82
Additional paid-in capital	159,830			149,928
Retained earnings	1,373,478			1,331,911
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	(171,211		)	(171,211		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,571			(1,822		)
Funded status of benefit plans	(465,440		)	(477,994		)
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	(653		)	—
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(460,522		)	(479,816		)
Total New York Times Company stockholders’ equity	918,678			847,815
Noncontrolling interest	(4		)	(3,571		)
Total stockholders’ equity	918,674			844,244
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,238,958		$	2,185,395

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						For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
	(13 weeks)						(39 weeks)
Revenues
Subscription	$	246,638		$	217,099		$	739,050		$	654,573
Advertising	113,633			124,898			375,895			395,733
Other	25,364			21,550			76,568			65,386
Total revenues	385,635			363,547			1,191,513			1,115,692
Operating costs
Production costs:
Wages and benefits	89,866			91,041			269,209			274,142
Raw materials	15,718			18,228			48,461			53,115
Other	44,336			47,347			134,771			139,938
Total production costs	149,920			156,616			452,441			467,195
Selling, general and administrative costs	184,483			184,596			595,491			534,911
Depreciation and amortization	15,677			15,384			46,961			46,003
Total operating costs	350,080			356,596			1,094,893			1,048,109
Headquarters redesign and consolidation	2,542			—			6,929			—
Restructuring charge	—			2,949			—			14,804
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			(4,971		)	—			6,730
Operating profit	33,013			8,973			89,691			46,049
Gain/(loss) from joint ventures	31,557			463			31,464			(41,845		)
Interest expense, net	4,660			9,032			15,118			26,955
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	59,910			404			106,037			(22,751		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	23,420			121			40,873			(8,956		)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	36,490			283			65,164			(13,795		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	488			—			488			—
Net income/(loss)	36,002			283			64,676			(13,795		)
Net (income)/loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(3,673		)	123			(3,567		)	5,719
Net income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	32,329		$	406		$	61,109		$	(8,076	)
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	162,173			161,185			161,798			161,092
Diluted	164,405			162,945			164,005			161,092
Basic earnings/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	0.20		$	—		$	0.38		$	(0.05	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			—
Net income/(loss)	$	0.20		$	—		$	0.38		$	(0.05	)

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				For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016
	(13 weeks)				(39 weeks)
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders:
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	$	0.20	$	—	$	0.37	$	(0.05	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—		—		—		—
Net income/(loss)	$	0.20	$	—	$	0.37	$	(0.05	)
Dividends declared per share	$	0.08	$	0.08	$	0.12	$	0.12

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					For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016		September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
	(13 weeks)					(39 weeks)
Net income/(loss)	$	36,002		$	283	$	64,676		$	(13,795	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Income on foreign currency translation adjustments	6,099			604		11,170			2,110
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation	6,921			6,552		20,762			19,655
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	(1,081		)	—		(1,081		)	—
Other comprehensive income, before tax	11,939			7,156		30,851			21,765
Income tax expense	4,200			2,912		11,557			8,492
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,739			4,244		19,294			13,273
Comprehensive income/(loss)	43,741			4,527		83,970			(522		)
Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(3,673		)	123		(3,567		)	5,719
Comprehensive income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	40,068		$	4,650	$	80,403		$	5,197

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
	(39 weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income/(loss)	$	64,676		$	(13,795	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Restructuring charge	—			14,804
Multiemployer pension plan charges	—			11,701
Depreciation and amortization	46,961			46,003
Stock-based compensation expense	10,927			8,561
Undistributed (gain)/loss of joint ventures	(31,464		)	41,845
Long-term retirement benefit obligations	(21,897		)	(22,366		)
Uncertain tax positions	139			53
Other-net	2,609			8,257
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable-net	55,032			54,591
Other assets	(1,761		)	(21,926		)
Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities	12,473			(45,546		)
Unexpired subscriptions	10,200			3,461
Net cash provided by operating activities	147,895			85,643
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities	(398,246		)	(514,809		)
Maturities of marketable securities	454,022			522,655
Cash distribution from corporate-owned life insurance	—			38,000
Business acquisitions	—			(15,410		)
Purchase of investments – net of proceeds	(422		)	(1,840		)
Change in restricted cash	7,014			3,816
Capital expenditures	(47,831		)	(21,820		)
Other-net	1,070			(380		)
Net cash provided by investing activities	15,607			10,212
Cash flows from financing activities
Long-term obligations:
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(414		)	(460		)
Dividends paid	(19,483		)	(19,416		)
Capital shares:
Stock issuances	4,142			273
Repurchases	—			(15,684		)
Share-based compensation tax withholding	(3,984		)	(9,572		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,739		)	(44,859		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	143,763			50,996
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	212			166
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	100,692			105,776
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	244,667		$	156,938

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 September 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016. 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 25, 2016. 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 third 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.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Except as described herein, as of September 24, 2017, our significant accounting policies, which are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2016, have not changed:

Marketable Securities

We have investments in marketable debt securities. We determine the appropriate classification of our investments at the date of purchase and reevaluate the classifications at the balance sheet date. Marketable debt securities with maturities of 12 months or less are classified as short-term. Marketable debt securities with maturities greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Historically, we have accounted for all marketable securities as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) and stated at amortized cost as we had the intent and ability to hold our marketable debt securities until maturity. However, on June 29, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a change to the Company’s cash reserve investment policy to allow the Company to sell marketable securities prior to maturity. Beginning in the third quarter of 2017, the Company reclassified all marketable securities from HTM to available-for-sale (“AFS”).

Securities that we might not hold until maturity are classified as AFS securities and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, after applicable income taxes, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).

We conduct an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) analysis on a quarterly basis or more often if a potential loss-triggering event occurs. We consider factors such as the duration, severity and the reason for the decline in value, the potential recovery period and whether we intend to sell. For AFS securities, we also consider whether (i) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis and (ii) the amortized cost basis cannot be recovered as a result of credit losses.

Other

As of the second quarter of 2017, the Company has renamed “circulation revenues” as “subscription revenues.” Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our print and digital products (including our news product, as well as Crossword and Cooking products), as well as single-copy sales of our print products (which comprise approximately 10% of these revenues). These revenues are based on both the number of copies of the printed newspaper sold and digital-only subscriptions, and the rates charged to the respective customers.

Recently Adopted 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 became effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 25, 2016.

As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, we recognized excess tax windfalls in income tax expense rather than additional paid-in capital of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the quarter and nine months ended

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

September 24, 2017, respectively. Excess tax shortfalls and/or windfalls for share-based payments are now included in net cash from operating activities rather than net cash from financing activities. The changes have been applied prospectively in accordance with the ASU and prior periods have not been adjusted. Additionally, the presentation of employee taxes paid to taxing authorities for share-based transactions are now included in net cash from financing activities rather than net cash from operating activities. This change was applied retrospectively and as a result, we reclassified $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 25, 2016 in our Condensed Statement of Cash Flows from operating activities to financing activities. No other material changes resulted from the adoption of this standard.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The new guidance requires the service cost component to be presented separately from the other components of net benefit costs. Service cost will be presented with other employee compensation cost within operations. The other components of net benefit cost, such as interest cost, amortization of prior service cost and gains or losses are required to be presented outside of operations. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component in the income statement and allows a practical expedient for the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements.

Since the changes required in ASU 2017-07 only change the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations classification of the components of net periodic benefit cost, no changes are expected to net income. Upon adoption of the ASU during the first quarter of 2018, the Company will separately present the components of net periodic benefit cost or income, excluding the service cost component, in non-operating expenses on a retrospective basis. The historical components of net periodic benefit cost are disclosed in the Company’s previously filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.” The new guidance introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

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 and expect that most of our operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard. The adoption of the standard will require us to add right-of-use assets and lease liabilities onto our balance sheet. Based upon our initial evaluation, we do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our results of operations and liquidity.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments including requirements to measure most equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, to perform a qualitative assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values, and to separately present financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and by type of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

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 for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017. 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 with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded to retained earnings. We currently anticipate adopting the new standard using the modified retrospective method beginning January 1, 2018.

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. 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. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance to address certain issues on assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. The amendments in ASU 2014-09, 2016-10, and 2016-12 do not change the core principle of ASU 2014-09.

Based upon our initial evaluation, we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. While we continue to evaluate the impact of the new revenue guidance, we currently believe that the most significant changes will be primarily related to how we account for certain licensing arrangements in the other revenue category.

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

NOTE 3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

As noted in Note 2, the Company reclassified all marketable securities from HTM to AFS in the third quarter of 2017, following a change to the Company’s cash reserve investment policy that allows the Company to sell marketable securities prior to maturity. This change resulted in the recording of a $1.1 million net unrealized loss in other comprehensive income. The reclassification of the investment portfolio to AFS was made to provide increased flexibility in the use of our investments to support current operations.

The following table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair market value of our AFS securities as of September 24, 2017:



	September 24, 2017
(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses			Fair Value
Short-term AFS securities
U.S Treasury securities	$	73,220	$	—	$	(45	)	$	73,175
Corporate debt securities	156,683		35		(79		)	156,639
U.S. governmental agency securities	53,842		1		(89		)	53,754
Certificates of deposit	20,403		—		—			20,403
Commercial paper	32,471		—		—			32,471
Total short-term AFS securities	$	336,619	$	36	$	(213	)	$	336,442
Long-term AFS securities
U.S. governmental agency securities	$	97,431	$	2	$	(616	)	96,817
Corporate debt securities	97,583		21		(259		)	97,345
U.S Treasury securities	47,672		—		(52		)	47,620
Total long-term AFS securities	$	242,686	$	23	$	(927	)	$	241,782

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table represents the AFS securities as of September 24, 2017 that were in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:



	September 24, 2017
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Gross unrealized losses			Fair Value		Gross unrealized losses			Fair Value		Gross unrealized losses
Short-term AFS securities
U.S Treasury securities	$	73,175	$	(45	)	$	—	$	—		$	73,175	$	(45	)
Corporate debt securities	101,648		(77		)	2,500		(2		)	104,148		(79		)
U.S. governmental agency securities	42,490		(53		)	8,964		(36		)	51,454		(89		)
Total short-term AFS securities	$	217,313	$	(175	)	$	11,464	$	(38	)	$	228,777	$	(213	)
Long-term AFS securities
U.S. governmental agency securities	$	47,620	$	(312	)	$	—	(304		)	$	47,620	$	(616	)
Corporate debt securities	66,428		(196		)	8,918		(63		)	75,346		(259		)
U.S Treasury securities	53,142		(52		)	39,697		—			92,839		(52		)
Total long-term AFS securities	$	167,190	$	(560	)	$	48,615	$	(367	)	$	215,805	$	(927	)

We periodically review our AFS securities for OTTI. See Note 2 for factors we consider when assessing AFS securities for OTTI. As of September 24, 2017, we did not intend to sell and it was not likely that we would be required to sell these investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Unrealized losses related to these investments are primarily due to interest rate fluctuations as opposed to changes in credit quality. Therefore, as of September 24, 2017, we have recognized no OTTI loss.

The following table presents the amortized cost of our HTM securities as of December 25, 2016:



	December 25, 2016
(In thousands)	Amortized Cost
Short-term HTM securities (1)
U.S Treasury securities	$	150,623
Corporate debt securities	150,599
U.S. governmental agency securities	64,135
Commercial paper	84,178
Total short-term HTM securities	$	449,535
Long-term HTM securities (1)
U.S. governmental agency securities	$	110,732
Corporate debt securities	61,775
U.S Treasury securities	14,792
Total long-term HTM securities	$	187,299

⁽¹⁾ All HTM securities were recorded at amortized cost and not adjusted to fair value in accordance with the HTM accounting treatment. As of December 25, 2016, the amortized cost approximated fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these investments.

As of September 24, 2017, our short-term and long-term marketable securities had remaining maturities of less than 1 month to 12 months and 13 months to 34 months, respectively. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value of our marketable securities.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

In 2016, the Company acquired two digital marketing agencies, HelloSociety, LLC and Fake Love, LLC for an aggregate of $15.4 million in separate all-cash transactions. Also in 2016, the Company acquired Submarine Leisure Club, Inc., which owned the product review and recommendation websites The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, in an all-cash transaction. We paid $25.0 million, including a payment made for a non-compete agreement, and also entered into a consulting agreement and retention agreements that will likely require payments over the three years following the acquisition.

The Company allocated the purchase prices for these acquisitions based on the final valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting in allocations to goodwill, intangibles, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets.

The aggregate carrying amount of intangible assets of $8.6 million related to these acquisitions has been included in “Miscellaneous Assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated useful lives for these assets range from 3 to 7 years and are amortized on a straight-line basis.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill as of September 24, 2017, and since December 25, 2016, were as follows:



(In thousands)	Total Company
Balance as of December 25, 2016	$	134,517
Measurement period adjustment ⁽¹⁾	(198		)
Foreign currency translation	8,852
Balance as of September 24, 2017	$	143,171

(1)Includes measurement period adjustment in connection with the Submarine Leisure Club, Inc. acquisition.

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

NOTE 5. INVESTMENTS

Equity Method Investments

As of September 24, 2017, our investments in joint ventures totaled $20.5 million and we had equity ownership interests in the following entities:



Company	Approximate % Ownership
Donohue Malbaie Inc.	49	%
Madison Paper Industries	40	%

We have investments in Donohue Malbaie Inc. (“Malbaie”), a Canadian newsprint company, and Madison Paper Industries (“Madison”), a partnership that previously operated a supercalendered paper mill in Maine. In the third quarter of 2017, we sold our 30% ownership in Women in the World Media, LLC, a live event conference business, for a nominal amount.

The Company and UPM-Kymmene Corporation (“UPM”), 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 which owns 50% of Madison. UPM owns 60% of Madison, including a 10% interest through a 20% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The paper mill was closed in May 2016. During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a $41.4 million loss from joint ventures related to the closure. The Company’s proportionate share of the loss was $20.1 million after tax and net of noncontrolling interest. As a result of the mill closure, we wrote our investment down to zero.

The Company’s joint venture in Madison is currently being liquidated. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Madison sold certain assets at the mill site and we recognized a gain of $3.9 million related to the sale. In the third quarter of 2017, Madison sold the remaining assets at the mill site (which primarily consisted of hydro power assets), and the Company recognized a gain of $30.1 million related to this sale. The Company’s proportionate share of the gain was $16.1 million after tax and net of noncontrolling interest.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents summarized income statement information for Madison, which follows a calendar year:



	For the Quarters Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	40,523
Expenses:
Cost of sales	(105		)	(1,450		)	(1,277		)	(68,039		)
General and administrative income/(expense) and other	60,216			(566		)	59,662			(66,056		)
Total costs and expenses	60,111			(2,016		)	58,385			(134,095		)
Operating income/(loss)	60,111			(2,016		)	58,385			(93,572		)
Other (expense)/income	(1		)	2			(7		)	4
Net income/(loss)	$	60,110		$	(2,014	)	$	58,378		$	(93,568	)

We received no distributions from our equity method investments during the quarters and nine months ended September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016.

We purchase newsprint from Malbaie, and previously purchased supercalendered paper from Madison, at competitive prices. These purchases totaled $2.3 million and $3.7 million for the third quarters ended September 24, 2017, and September 25, 2016, respectively, and $7.7 million and $10.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 24, 2017, and September 25, 2016, respectively.

Cost Method Investments

The aggregate carrying amounts of cost method investments included in “Miscellaneous assets’’ in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were $14.0 million and $13.6 million for September 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, respectively.

NOTE 6. DEBT OBLIGATIONS

Our indebtedness consisted of 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)	September 24, 2017		December 25, 2016
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%	7,423		9,801
Total option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building in 2019	242,577		240,199
Capital lease obligations	6,798		6,779
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	249,375	$	246,978

See Note 8 for additional 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						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
Interest expense	$	6,956		$	10,022		$	20,775		$	29,964
Amortization of debt costs and discount on debt	801			1,226			2,379			3,670
Capitalized interest	(345		)	(131		)	(852		)	(412		)
Interest income	(2,752		)	(2,085		)	(7,184		)	(6,267		)
Total interest expense, net	$	4,660		$	9,032		$	15,118		$	26,955

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 7. OTHER

Advertising Expenses

Advertising expenses incurred to promote our brand, subscription products and marketing services were $26.6 million and $22.3 million in the third quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $86.0 million and $63.6 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Capitalized Computer Software Costs

Amortization of capitalized computer software costs included in “Depreciation and amortization” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were $4.0 million and $2.8 million in the third quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $9.7 million and $8.5 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Headquarters Redesign and Consolidation

In December 2016, we announced plans to redesign our headquarters building, consolidate our space within a smaller number of floors and lease the additional floors to third parties. These changes are expected to generate additional rental income and result in a more collaborative workspace. We incurred $2.5 million and $6.9 million of total costs related to these measures in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. The capital expenditures related to these measures were approximately $26 million and $37 million in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017, respectively.

Severance Costs

On May 31, 2017, we announced certain measures in our newsroom designed to streamline our editing process and allow us to make further investments in the newsroom. These measures resulted in a workforce reduction primarily affecting our newsroom. We recognized severance costs of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $23.0 million in the first nine months of 2017, substantially all of which were related to this workforce reduction. We recognized severance costs of $13.0 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $18.3 million in the first nine months of 2016. These costs are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative costs” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Additionally, during the second quarter of 2016, we announced certain measures to streamline our international print operations and support future growth efforts. These measures included a redesign of our international print newspaper and the relocation of certain editing and production operations conducted in Paris to our locations in Hong Kong and New York. During the third and second quarters of 2016, we incurred $2.9 million and $11.9 million, respectively, of total costs related to the measures, primarily related to relocation and severance charges. These costs were recorded in “Restructuring charge” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We had a severance liability of $25.2 million and $23.2 million included in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2017, and December 25, 2016, respectively. We anticipate most of the expenditures will be recognized within the next twelve months.

NOTE 8. 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.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

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

The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 24, 2017, and December 25, 2016:



(In thousands)	September 24, 2017								December 25, 2016 ⁽³⁾
(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Short-term AFS securities ⁽¹⁾
U.S Treasury securities	$	73,175	$	—	$	73,175	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Corporate debt securities	156,639		—		156,639		—		—		—		—		—
U.S. governmental agency securities	53,754		—		53,754		—		—		—		—		—
Certificates of deposit	20,403		—		20,403		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial paper	32,471		—		32,471		—		—		—		—		—
Total short-term AFS securities	$	336,442	$	—	$	336,442	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Long-term AFS securities ⁽¹⁾
U.S. governmental agency securities	$	96,817	$	—	$	96,817	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Corporate debt securities	97,345		—		97,345		—		—		—		—		—
U.S Treasury securities	47,620		—		47,620		—		—		—		—		—
Total long-term AFS securities	$	241,782	$	—	$	241,782	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation ⁽²⁾	$	28,354	$	28,354	$	—	$	—	$	31,006	$	31,006	$	—	$	—

⁽¹⁾ 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 fair value (see Note 3). We classified these investments as Level 2 since the fair value is based on market observable inputs for investments with similar terms and maturities.

⁽²⁾ 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. Participation in the DEC was frozen effective December 31, 2015.

⁽³⁾ As noted in Note 2, in the third quarter of 2017, we reclassified our marketable securities from HTM to AFS. Prior to being classified as AFS, the securities were recorded at amortized cost and not adjusted to fair value in accordance with the HTM accounting treatment.

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Reported, at Fair Value

The carrying value of our long-term debt was approximately $243 million as of September 24, 2017 and approximately $240 million as of December 25, 2016. The fair value of our long-term debt was approximately $281 million and $298 million as of September 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, respectively. 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 9. 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 NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The NewsGuild 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 components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended
	September 24, 2017								September 25, 2016
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans
Service cost	$	2,423		$	—	$	2,423		$	2,248		$	—	$	2,248
Interest cost	15,596			1,956		17,552			16,573			2,034		18,607
Expected return on plan assets	(26,136		)	—		(26,136		)	(27,790		)	—		(27,790		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	7,351			1,088		8,439			7,069			1,054		8,123
Amortization of prior service credit	(486		)	—		(486		)	(487		)	—		(487		)
Net periodic pension (income)/cost	$	(1,252	)	$	3,044	$	1,792		$	(2,387	)	$	3,088	$	701



	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017								September 25, 2016
(In thousands)	Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans			Qualified Plans			Non- Qualified Plans		All Plans
Service cost	$	7,269		$	—	$	7,269		$	6,743		$	—	$	6,743
Interest cost	46,784			5,868		52,652			49,720			6,102		55,822
Expected return on plan assets	(78,408		)	—		(78,408		)	(83,369		)	—		(83,369		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	22,057			3,264		25,321			21,206			3,160		24,366
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,458		)	—		(1,458		)	(1,459		)	—		(1,459		)
Net periodic pension (income)/cost	$	(3,756	)	$	9,132	$	5,376		$	(7,159	)	$	9,262	$	2,103

During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, we made pension contributions of $5.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, to certain qualified pension plans.

As part of our continued effort to reduce the size and volatility of our pension obligations, in October 2017, the Company entered into agreements with an insurance company to transfer future benefit obligations and annuity administration for certain retirees (or their beneficiaries) in two of the Company’s qualified pension plans. Additionally, as part of our management of the funded status of our qualified pension plans, in October 2017, the Company made a $100 million aggregate contribution to these pension plans, which was funded by cash on hand. See Note 15 for additional information.

Multiemployer Plans

During the third quarter of 2016, we received $5.0 million in connection with an arbitration matter related to a multiemployer pension plan. In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded a charge of $11.7 million related to partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan in connection with the same arbitration matter. See Note 14 for additional information with respect to the arbitration.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Other Postretirement Benefits

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



	For the Quarters Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
Service cost	$	92		$	104		$	276		$	313
Interest cost	470			495			1,410			1,485
Amortization of actuarial loss	905			1,026			2,715			3,078
Amortization of prior service credit	(1,939		)	(2,110		)	(5,816		)	(6,330		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(472	)	$	(485	)	$	(1,415	)	$	(1,454	)

NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

The Company had income tax expense of $23.4 million and $40.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. The Company had income tax expense of $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 and an income tax benefit of $9.0 million in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to higher income from continuing operations in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017.

The Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations were 39.1% and 38.5% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations were 30.0% and 39.4% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2017 was primarily due to higher income from continuing operations compared with the same period prior year.

NOTE 11. 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 a significant impact on diluted shares.

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 2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, and approximately 5 million and 6 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.

There were no anti-dilutive stock-settled long-term performance awards and restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2017 or first nine months of 2017 and 2016. The number of stock-settled long-term performance awards and restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive was approximately 2 million in the third quarter of 2016.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 12. 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 25, 2016	$	847,815		$	(3,571	)	$	844,244
Net income	61,109			3,567			64,676
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	19,294			—			19,294
Effect of issuance of shares	158			—			158
Dividends declared	(19,543		)	—			(19,543		)
Stock-based compensation	9,845			—			9,845
Balance as of September 24, 2017	$	918,678		$	(4	)	$	918,674



(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	(8,076		)	(5,719		)	(13,795		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	13,273			—			13,273
Effect of issuance of shares	(9,298		)	—			(9,298		)
Share repurchases	(15,056		)	—			(15,056		)
Dividends declared	(19,414		)	—			(19,414		)
Stock-based compensation	9,006			—			9,006
Balance as of September 25, 2016	$	797,186		$	(4,015	)	$	793,171

On January 14, 2015, the Board of Directors approved an authorization of $101.1 million to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the third quarter of 2017. As of September 24, 2017, 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. All purchases were made pursuant to our publicly announced share repurchase program. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase shares under this authorization from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component as of September 24, 2017:



(In thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Funded Status of Benefit Plans			Net unrealized Loss on available-for-sale Securities		Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 25, 2016	$	(1,822	)	$	(477,994	)	—		$	(479,816	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, before tax⁽¹⁾	11,170			—			(1,081	)	10,089
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax⁽¹⁾	—			20,762			—		20,762
Income tax expense (benefit) ⁽¹⁾	3,777			8,208			(428	)	11,557
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,393			12,554			(653	)	19,294
Balance as of September 24, 2017	$	5,571		$	(465,440	)	(653	)	$	(460,522	)


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

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the reclassifications from AOCI for the nine months ended September 24, 2017:



(In thousands)
Detail about accumulated other comprehensive loss components	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			Affects line item in the statement where net income is presented
Funded status of benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service credit⁽¹⁾	$	(7,274	)	Selling, general & administrative costs
Amortization of actuarial loss⁽¹⁾	28,036			Selling, general & administrative costs
Total reclassification, before tax⁽²⁾	20,762
Income tax expense	8,208			Income tax expense
Total reclassification, net of tax	$	12,554


(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 9 for additional information.


(2)	There were no reclassifications relating to noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 24, 2017.

NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have one reportable segment that includes The New York Times, 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 subscriptions and advertising. Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, building rental income, NYT Live (our live events business), e-commerce and affiliate referrals.

NOTE 14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Restricted Cash

We were required to maintain $17.9 million and $24.9 million of restricted cash as of September 24, 2017 and December 25, 2016, respectively, the majority of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations. The decrease reflects the settlement of certain litigation described below.

Newspaper and Mail Deliverers–Publishers’ Pension Fund

In September 2013, the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers-Publishers’ Pension Fund (the “NMDU Fund”) assessed a partial withdrawal liability against the Company in the amount of approximately $26 million for the plan years ending May 31, 2012 and 2013 (the “Initial Assessment”), an amount that was increased to approximately $34 million in December 2014, when the NMDU Fund issued a revised partial withdrawal liability assessment for the plan year ending May 31, 2013 (the “Revised Assessment”). The NMDU Fund claimed that when City & Suburban Delivery Systems, Inc., a retail and newsstand distribution subsidiary of the Company and the largest contributor to the NMDU 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 disagreed with both the NMDU Fund’s determination that a partial withdrawal occurred and the methodology by which it calculated the withdrawal liability, and the parties engaged in arbitration proceedings to resolve the matter. In June 2016, the arbitrator issued an interim award and opinion that supported the NMDU Fund’s determination that a partial withdrawal had occurred, and concluded that the methodology used to calculate the Initial Assessment was correct. However, the arbitrator also concluded that the NMDU Fund’s calculation of the Revised Assessment was incorrect. In July 2017, the arbitrator issued a final award and opinion reflecting the same conclusions, which the Company has appealed.

Due to requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that sponsors make payments demanded by plans during arbitration and any resultant appeals, the Company had been making payments to the NMDU fund since September 2013 relating to the Initial Assessment and February 2015 relating to the Revised Assessment based on the NMDU Fund’s demand. As a result, as of September 24, 2017, we have paid $14.4 million relating to the Initial Assessment since the receipt of the initial demand letter. We also paid $5.0 million related to the Revised Assessment, which was refunded in July 2016 based on the arbitrator’s ruling. The Company recognized $0.1 million and $0.3 million of expense for the third quarter and nine months ended September 24, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized $4.5 million income (inclusive of a special item of $5.0 million) and $10.6 million of expense (inclusive of a special item of $6.7 million) for the third quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2016, respectively.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The Company had a liability of $7.3 million as of September 24, 2017, related to this matter. Management believes it is reasonably possible that the total loss in this matter could exceed the liability established by a range of zero to approximately $10 million.

NEMG T&G, Inc.

The Company was involved in class action litigation brought on behalf of individuals who, from 2006 to 2011, delivered newspapers at NEMG T&G, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“T&G”). T&G was a part of the New England Media Group, which the Company sold in 2013. The plaintiffs asserted several claims against T&G, including a challenge to their classification as independent contractors, and sought unspecified damages. In December 2016, the Company reached a settlement with respect to the claims, which was approved by the court in May 2017. As a result of the settlement, the Company recorded charges of $3.7 million ($2.3 million after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.8 million ($0.5 million after tax) in the third quarter of 2017 within discontinued operations.

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 15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Transfer of Certain Pension Obligations

On October 18, 2017, the Company entered into agreements with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) relating to The New York Times Companies Pension Plan and The Retirement Annuity Plan for Craft Employees of The New York Times Company (collectively, the “Pension Plans”). Under the agreements, the Company will purchase from MassMutual group annuity contracts with respect to the Pension Plans and transfer to MassMutual the future benefit obligations and annuity administration for approximately 3,800 retirees (or their beneficiaries). The pension benefit obligations and annuity administration for these transferred participants will be transferred to MassMutual and MassMutual will irrevocably guarantee the pension benefits for these participants.

This arrangement is part of the Company’s continued effort to reduce the overall size and volatility of our pension plan obligations, as well as the premiums and other administrative costs related thereto. By transferring these obligations to MassMutual, the Company expects to reduce its qualified pension plan obligations by approximately $225 million. The purchase of the group annuity contracts is being funded through existing assets of the Pension Plans’ respective trusts. As a result of this arrangement, the Company expects to recognize a pension settlement charge of approximately $95 million before tax in the fourth quarter of 2017. This charge represents the acceleration of deferred charges currently accrued in AOCI.

Discretionary Pension Contribution

On October 20, 2017, the Company made a $100 million aggregate discretionary contribution to the Pension Plans as part of the Company’s management of the funded status of these plans.

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

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

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

We generate revenues principally from subscriptions and advertising. Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, building rental income, NYT Live (our live events business), e-commerce and affiliate referrals. 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”). These supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measures 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 measures, see “—Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Financial Highlights

For the third quarter of 2017, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.20, compared with $0.00 for the third quarter of 2016. 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 $0.13 and $0.06 for the third quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company had an operating profit of $33.0 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared with $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. The increase was largely due to higher digital subscription revenues and lower severance costs, which more than offset lower print advertising revenues. Operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below (or “adjusted operating profit,” a non-GAAP measure) was $56.5 million and $39.2 million for the third quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Total revenues increased 6.1% to $385.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $363.5 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily driven by increases in digital and print subscription revenue, as well as digital advertising revenue, partially offset by a decrease in print advertising revenue.

Subscription revenues increased 13.6% in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to significant growth in recent quarters in the number of subscriptions to the Company’s digital subscription products, as well as the 2017 increase in home-delivery prices for The New York Times newspaper, which more than offset a decline in print copies sold. Revenue from our digital-only subscription products (which include our news product, as well as our Crossword and Cooking products) increased 46.3% in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016. Our Cooking product first launched as a paid digital product earlier in the third quarter of 2017.

Paid digital-only subscriptions totaled approximately 2,487,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2017, a 59.1% increase compared with the end of the third quarter of 2016. News product subscriptions totaled approximately 2,132,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2017, a 59.3% increase compared with the end of the third quarter of 2016. Other product subscriptions totaled approximately 355,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2017, a 57.8% increase compared with the end of the third quarter of 2016.

Total advertising revenues decreased 9.0% in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016, reflecting a 20.1% decrease in print advertising revenues, partially offset by an 11.0% increase in digital advertising revenues. The decrease in print advertising revenues resulted from a decline in display advertising, primarily in the luxury, travel, real estate, media, technology, and telecommunications categories. The increase in digital advertising revenues primarily reflected increases in revenue from our smartphone platform, programmatic channels and branded content, partially offset by a continued decrease in traditional website display advertising. We expect advertising revenues to remain under pressure in the fourth quarter of 2017, with digital advertising revenues expected to be flat or slightly lower compared with the same prior year period.

Other revenues increased 17.7% in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016, largely due to affiliate referral revenue associated with the product review and recommendation websites, The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, which the Company acquired in October 2016. The two websites were subsequently combined and re-branded as “Wirecutter.”

Operating costs decreased in the third quarter of 2017 to $350.1 million from $356.6 million in the third quarter of 2016, largely due to lower severance, print production and distribution costs, and savings in international operations, which were partially offset by higher costs following the acquisitions of Wirecutter and digital marketing agency, Fake Love, and higher marketing costs. Operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs (or “adjusted operating costs,” a non-GAAP measure) increased in the third quarter of 2017 to $329.2 million from $324.4 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Non-operating retirement costs decreased to $3.1 million during the third quarter of 2017 from $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to lower multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents our consolidated financial results:



	For the Quarters Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			% Change		September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			% Change
Revenues
Subscription	$	246,638		$	217,099		13.6	%	$	739,050		$	654,573		12.9	%
Advertising	113,633			124,898			(9.0	)%	375,895			395,733			(5.0	)%
Other	25,364			21,550			17.7	%	76,568			65,386			17.1	%
Total revenues	385,635			363,547			6.1	%	1,191,513			1,115,692			6.8	%
Operating costs
Production costs:
Wages and benefits	89,866			91,041			(1.3	)%	269,209			274,142			(1.8	)%
Raw materials	15,718			18,228			(13.8	)%	48,461			53,115			(8.8	)%
Other	44,336			47,347			(6.4	)%	134,771			139,938			(3.7	)%
Total production costs	149,920			156,616			(4.3	)%	452,441			467,195			(3.2	)%
Selling, general and administrative costs	184,483			184,596			(0.1	)%	595,491			534,911			11.3	%
Depreciation and amortization	15,677			15,384			1.9	%	46,961			46,003			2.1	%
Total operating costs	350,080			356,596			(1.8	)%	1,094,893			1,048,109			4.5	%
Headquarters redesign and consolidation	2,542			—			*		6,929			—			*
Restructuring charge	—			2,949			*		—			14,804			*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal expense	—			(4,971		)	*		—			6,730			*
Operating profit	33,013			8,973			*		89,691			46,049			94.8	%
Gain/(loss) from joint ventures	31,557			463			*		31,464			(41,845		)	*
Interest expense, net	4,660			9,032			(48.4	)%	15,118			26,955			(43.9	)%
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	59,910			404			*		106,037			(22,751		)	*
Income tax expense/(benefit)	23,420			121			*		40,873			(8,956		)	*
Income/(loss) from continuing operations	36,490			283			*		65,164			(13,795		)	*
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	488			—			*		488			—			*
Net income/(loss)	36,002			283			*		64,676			(13,795		)	*
Net (income)/loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(3,673		)	123			*		(3,567		)	5,719			*
Net income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders	$	32,329		$	406		*		$	61,109		$	(8,076	)	*


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

Revenues

Subscription Revenues

As of the second quarter of 2017, the Company has renamed “circulation revenues” as “subscription revenues.” Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our print and digital products (which include our news product, as well as our Crossword and Cooking products), as well as single-copy sales of our print products (which comprise approximately 10% of these revenues). Our Cooking product first launched as a paid digital product earlier in the third quarter of 2017. These revenues are based on both the number of copies of the printed newspaper sold and digital-only subscriptions, and the rates charged to the respective customers.

Subscription revenues increased 13.6% in the third quarter and 12.9% in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the same prior-year periods, primarily due to significant growth in recent quarters in the number of subscriptions to the Company’s digital subscription products, as well as the 2017 increase in home-delivery prices for The New York Times newspaper, which more than offset a decline in print copies sold. Revenues from our digital-only news subscriptions (including e-readers and replica editions) were $82.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $234.2 million in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of 46.2% and 44.3% from the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively.

The following table summarizes digital-only subscription revenues for the third quarters and first nine months of 2017 and 2016:



	For the Quarters Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change		September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change
Digital-only subscription revenues:
News product subscription revenues⁽¹⁾	$	82,073	$	56,144	46.2	%	$	234,234	$	162,344	44.3	%
Other product subscription revenues⁽²⁾	3,610		2,408		49.9	%	9,810		6,778		44.7	%
Total digital-only subscription revenues	$	85,683	$	58,552	46.3	%	$	244,044	$	169,122	44.3	%
⁽¹⁾Includes revenues from subscriptions to the Company’s news product. News product subscription packages that include access to the Company’s Crossword and Cooking products are also included in this category.
⁽²⁾Includes revenues from standalone subscriptions to the Company’s Crossword and Cooking products.

The following table summarizes digital-only subscriptions as of the end of the third quarters of 2017 and 2016:



	For the Quarters Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017	September 25, 2016	% Change
Digital-only subscriptions⁽¹⁾:
News product subscriptions⁽²⁾	2,132	1,338	59.3	%
Other product subscriptions⁽³⁾	355	225	57.8	%
Total digital-only subscriptions	2,487	1,563	59.1	%
⁽¹⁾ Reflects certain immaterial prior-period corrections.
⁽²⁾Includes subscriptions to the Company’s news product. News product subscription packages that include access to the Company’s Crossword and Cooking products are also included in this category.
⁽³⁾Includes standalone subscriptions to the Company’s Crossword and Cooking products.

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. Display advertising also includes branded content on The Times’s platforms. 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, among other things, our branded content studio; revenue from preprinted advertising, also known as free-standing inserts; and revenue generated from branded bags in which our newspapers are delivered.

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



	For the Quarters Ended
	September 24, 2017						September 25, 2016						% Change
(In thousands)	Print		Digital		Total		Print		Digital		Total		Print		Digital		Total
Display	$	56,710	$	41,547	$	98,257	$	72,442	$	38,447	$	110,889	(21.7	)%	8.1	%	(11.4	)%
Classified and Other	7,679		7,697		15,376		8,102		5,907		14,009		(5.2	)%	30.3	%	9.8	%
Total advertising	$	64,389	$	49,244	$	113,633	$	80,544	$	44,354	$	124,898	(20.1	)%	11.0	%	(9.0	)%



	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017						September 25, 2016						% Change
(In thousands)	Print		Digital		Total		Print		Digital		Total		Print		Digital		Total
Display	$	196,836	$	129,008	$	325,844	$	238,399	$	114,957	$	353,356	(17.4	)%	12.2	%	(7.8	)%
Classified and Other	24,966		25,085		50,051		26,156		16,221		42,377		(4.5	)%	54.6	%	18.1	%
Total advertising	$	221,802	$	154,093	$	375,895	$	264,555	$	131,178	$	395,733	(16.2	)%	17.5	%	(5.0	)%

Print advertising revenues, which represented 56.7% of total advertising revenues for the third quarter of 2017 and 59.0% of total advertising revenues for the first nine months of 2017, declined 20.1% to $64.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 16.2% to $221.8 million in the first nine months of 2017, compared with $80.5 million and $264.6 million, respectively, in the same prior-year periods. The decrease in both periods was driven by a decline in display advertising, primarily in the luxury, travel, real estate, media, technology and telecommunications categories.

Digital advertising revenues, which represented 43.3% of total advertising revenues for the third quarter of 2017 and 41.0% of total advertising revenues for the first nine months of 2017, increased 11.0% to $49.2 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 17.5% to $154.1 million in the first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared with $44.4 million and $131.2 million, respectively, in the same prior-year periods. The increase in both periods primarily reflected increases in revenue from our smartphone platform, programmatic channels and branded content, partially offset by a continued decrease in traditional website display advertising.

Classified and Other advertising revenues increased 9.8% in the third quarter of 2017 and 18.1% in the first nine months of 2017, compared with the same prior-year periods, due to an increase in digital creative services fees.

Other Revenues

Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, building rental income, our NYT Live business, e-commerce and affiliate referrals.

Other revenues increased 17.7% in the third quarter of 2017 and 17.1% in the first nine months of 2017, compared with the same prior-year periods, largely due to affiliate referral revenue associated with Wirecutter, which the Company acquired in October 2016.

Operating Costs

Operating costs were as follows:



	For the Quarters Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change		September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change
Production costs:
Wages and benefits	$	89,866	$	91,041	(1.3	)%	$	269,209	$	274,142	(1.8	)%
Raw materials	15,718		18,228		(13.8	)%	48,461		53,115		(8.8	)%
Other	44,336		47,347		(6.4	)%	134,771		139,938		(3.7	)%
Total production costs	149,920		156,616		(4.3	)%	452,441		467,195		(3.2	)%
Selling, general and administrative costs	184,483		184,596		(0.1	)%	595,491		534,911		11.3	%
Depreciation and amortization	15,677		15,384		1.9	%	46,961		46,003		2.1	%
Total operating costs	$	350,080	$	356,596	(1.8	)%	$	1,094,893	$	1,048,109	4.5	%

Production Costs

Production costs include items such as labor costs, raw materials, and machinery and equipment expenses related to news-gathering and production activity, as well as costs related to producing branded content.

Production costs decreased in the third quarter of 2017 compared with the third quarter of 2016, driven by a decrease in other expenses ($3.0 million), raw materials ($2.5 million) and wage and benefits ($1.2 million). Other expenses decreased primarily as a result of lower outside printing expenses and costs related to coverage of the 2016 presidential election that did not recur in 2017. Raw materials expense decreased due to lower newsprint and magazine consumption. Wage and benefits expense decreased due to the streamlining of our international operations in 2016.

Production costs decreased in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the first nine months of 2016, driven by a decrease in other expenses ($5.2 million), wage and benefits ($4.9 million), and raw materials ($4.7 million). Other expenses decreased primarily as a result of lower outside printing expenses. Wage and benefits expense decreased primarily due to the streamlining of our international operations in 2016. Raw materials expense decreased due to lower newsprint and magazine paper consumption, partially offset by higher newsprint pricing.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, general and administrative costs include costs associated with the selling, marketing and distribution of products as well as administrative expenses.

Selling, general and administrative costs in the third quarter of 2017 were flat compared with the third quarter of 2016 as lower severance costs ($10.9 million) were primarily offset by an increase in compensation costs ($4.8 million), promotion and marketing costs ($3.4 million) and other operating costs ($3.4 million).

Selling, general and administrative costs increased in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to an increase in compensation costs ($25.6 million), promotion and marketing costs ($22.2 million) and severance costs ($4.7 million). Compensation costs increased primarily as a result of an increase in variable compensation expenses and increased hiring to support digital growth initiatives. Promotion and marketing costs increased due to increased spending to promote our brand and subscription business. Severance costs increased due to a workforce reduction announced in the second quarter of 2017 primarily affecting our newsroom.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization costs increased in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017 compared with the same prior-year period, primarily due to the Company’s acquisition of The Wirecutter.

Other Items

See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding other items, including costs related to the redesign of our headquarters building.

NON-OPERATING ITEMS

Joint Ventures

See Note 5 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our joint venture investments.

Interest Expense, Net

See Note 6 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding interest expense.

Income Taxes

See Note 10 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 2017 consisted of:


•	a $30.1 million gain ($16.1 million after tax and net of noncontrolling interest or $.10 per share) from the sale of the remaining assets at a paper mill previously operated by Madison Paper Industries (“Madison”), in which the Company has an investment through a subsidiary, in the third quarter; and


•	expenses of $2.5 million ($1.5 million after tax or $.01 per share), $2.0 million ($1.2 million after tax or $.01 per share) and $2.4 million ($1.4 million after tax or $.01 per share) related to the ongoing redesign and consolidation of space in our headquarters building in the third, second and first quarters, respectively.

The special items in 2016 consisted of:


•	charges of $2.9 million ($1.8 million after tax or $.01 per share) and $11.9 million ($7.1 million after tax or $.04 per share) in connection with the streamlining of the Company’s international print operations (primarily consisting of severance costs) in the third and second quarters, respectively;


•	an $11.7 million charge ($7.0 million after tax or $.04 per share) for a partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan following an unfavorable arbitration decision in the second quarter, $5.0 million ($3.0 million after tax or $.02 per share) of which was reimbursed to the Company in the third quarter; and


•	a $41.4 million loss ($20.1 million after tax and net of the noncontrolling interest or $0.13 per share) from joint ventures in the first quarter related to the announced closure of a paper mill operated by Madison.

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.

Management considers special items, which may include impairment charges, pension settlement charges and other items that arise from time to time, to be outside the ordinary course of our operations. Management believes that excluding these items provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operating performance and allows more accurate comparisons of the Company’s operating results to historical performance. In addition, management excludes severance costs, which may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, because it believes these costs do not necessarily reflect expected future operating costs and do not contribute to a meaningful comparison of the Company’s operating results to historical performance.

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, provides increased transparency and a better understanding of the underlying trends in our operating business performance.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures 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								For the Nine Months Ended
	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			% Change		September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			% Change
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations	$	0.20		$	—		*		$	0.37		$	(0.05	)	*
Add:
Severance	0.01			0.08			(87.5	)%	0.14			0.11			27.3	%
Non-operating retirement costs	0.02			0.02			*		0.06			0.08			(25.0	)%
Special items:
Headquarters redesign and consolidation	0.02			—			*		0.04			—			*
Restructuring charge	—			0.02			*		—			0.09			*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal (income)/expense	—			(0.03		)	*		—			0.04			*
(Gain)/loss from joint ventures, net of noncontrolling interest	(0.16		)	—			*		(0.16		)	0.21			*
Income tax expense/(benefit) of adjustments	0.04			(0.04		)	*		(0.03		)	(0.21		)	(85.7	)%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ⁽¹⁾	$	0.13		$	0.06		*		$	0.42		$	0.27		55.6	%

⁽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							For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016			% Change		September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change
Operating profit	$	33,013	$	8,973		*		$	89,691	$	46,049	94.8	%
Add:
Depreciation & amortization	15,677		15,384			1.9	%	46,961		46,003		2.1	%
Severance	2,123		13,006			(83.7	)%	22,977		18,262		25.8	%
Non-operating retirement costs	3,100		3,845			(19.4	)%	9,642		13,349		(27.8	)%
Special items:
Headquarters redesign and consolidation	2,542		—			*		6,929		—		*
Restructuring charge	—		2,949			*		—		14,804		*
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal (income)/expense	—		(4,971		)	*		—		6,730		*
Adjusted operating profit	$	56,455	$	39,186		44.1	%	$	176,200	$	145,197	21.4	%


*	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						For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change		September 24, 2017		September 25, 2016		% Change
Operating costs	$	350,080	$	356,596	(1.8	)%	$	1,094,893	$	1,048,109	4.5	%
Less:
Depreciation & amortization	15,677		15,384		1.9	%	46,961		46,003		2.1	%
Severance	2,123		13,006		(83.7	)%	22,977		18,262		25.8	%
Non-operating retirement costs	3,100		3,845		(19.4	)%	9,642		13,349		(27.8	)%
Adjusted operating costs	$	329,180	$	324,361	1.5	%	$	1,015,313	$	970,495	4.6	%


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

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 September 24, 2017, we had cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities of $822.9 million and total debt and capital lease obligations of $249.4 million. Accordingly, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities exceeded total debt and capital lease obligations by $573.5 million. Our cash and investment balances have increased since the end of 2016, primarily due to higher cash from operating activities partially offset by cash capital expenditures of $47.8 million.

We have paid quarterly dividends of $.04 per share on the Class A and Class B Common Stock since late 2013. We currently expect to continue to pay comparable cash dividends in the future, although changes in our dividend program will be considered by our Board of Directors in light of our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant.

The Company and UPM-Kymmene Corporation (“UPM”), a Finnish paper manufacturing company, are partners through subsidiary companies in Madison, which previously operated a supercalendered paper mill in Maine. The Company’s 40% ownership of Madison is through an 80%-owned consolidated subsidiary that owns 50% of Madison. UPM owns 60% of Madison, including a 10% interest through a 20% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The paper mill was closed in May 2016. The Company’s joint venture in Madison is currently being liquidated. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Madison sold certain assets at the mill site and we recognized a gain of $3.9 million related to the sale. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company recognized a $30.1 million gain related to the sale of the remaining assets (which primarily consisted of hydro power assets). The Company’s proportionate share of the gain was $16.1 million after tax and net of noncontrolling interest. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the Company’s investment in Madison.

As part of our continued effort to reduce the size and volatility of our pension obligations, in October 2017, the Company entered into agreements with an insurance company to transfer future benefit obligations and annuity administration of certain retirees in two of the Company’s qualified pension plans. Additionally, as part of our management of the funded status of our qualified pension plans, in October 2017, the Company made a $100 million aggregate contribution to these pension plans, which was funded by cash on hand. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

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



	For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			% Change
Operating activities	$	147,895		$	85,643		72.7	%
Investing activities	$	15,607		$	10,212		52.8	%
Financing activities	$	(19,739	)	$	(44,859	)	(56.0	)%

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

Operating Activities

Cash from operating activities is generated by cash receipts from subscriptions, 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 increased in the first nine months of 2017 compared with the same prior-year period due to higher subscription revenue, lower income tax payments, higher accounts payable and a higher balance of unexpired subscriptions (or subscription revenue that has not yet been recognized).

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 nine months of 2017 was primarily related to maturities of marketable securities, partially offset by purchases of marketable securities and capital expenditures.

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, the payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations and share-based compensation tax withholding.

Net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2017 was primarily related to dividend payments of $19.5 million.

Restricted Cash

We were required to maintain $17.9 million of restricted cash as of September 24, 2017 and $24.9 million as of December 25, 2016, the majority of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures totaled approximately $67 million and $17 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cash payments related to the capital expenditures totaled approximately $48 million and $22 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in both periods was primarily driven by the ongoing redesign and consolidation of space in our headquarters building and certain improvements at our printing and distribution facility in College Point, New York.

Third-Party Financing

As of September 24, 2017, our current indebtedness consisted of the repurchase option related to a sale-leaseback of a portion of our New York headquarters. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our total debt and capital lease obligations. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 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 25, 2016. Other than as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, as of September 24, 2017, our critical accounting policies have not changed from December 25, 2016.

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 25, 2016. As of September 24, 2017, our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements have not changed materially from December 25, 2016.

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 25, 2016, 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 25, 2016, details our disclosures about market risk. As of September 24, 2017, there were no material changes in our market risks from December 25, 2016.

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 September 24, 2017. 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 September 24, 2017, 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 14 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 25, 2016.

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

(a) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

On July 28, 2017, we issued 24 shares of Class A Common Stock to holders of Class B Common Stock upon the conversion of such Class B shares into Class A shares. The conversion, which was in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation, did not involve a public offering and was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On January 14, 2015, the Board of Directors approved an authorization of $101.1 million to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the third quarter of 2017. As of September 24, 2017, 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 under this authorization. All purchases were made pursuant to our publicly announced share repurchase program. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase shares from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit No.

10.1		Amendment No. 4 to The New York Times Companies Supplemental Retirement and Investment Plan, amended August 11, 2017, and effective January 1, 2015.

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.

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:	November 1, 2017	/s/ JAMES M. FOLLO
		James M. Follo Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)