NEW YORK TIMES CO - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2022
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___ to ___
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 10018
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-556-1234
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock | NYT | New York Stock Exchange |
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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 | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x
Number of shares of each class of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 29, 2022 (exclusive of treasury shares):
Class A Common Stock | 166,699,568 | shares | ||||||
Class B Common Stock | 781,724 | shares |
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
INDEX
PART I | Financial Information | |||||||||||||||||||
Item | 1 | Financial Statements | ||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2022 (unaudited) and December 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the quarters ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the quarters ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes In Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the quarters ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the quarters ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | ||||||||||||||||||||
Item | 2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Item | 3 | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | ||||||||||||||||||
Item | 4 | Controls and Procedures | ||||||||||||||||||
PART II | Other Information | |||||||||||||||||||
Item | 1 | Legal Proceedings | ||||||||||||||||||
Item | 1A | Risk Factors | ||||||||||||||||||
Item | 2 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | ||||||||||||||||||
Item | 6 | Exhibits |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
March 27, 2022 | December 26, 2021 | |||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 169,171 | $ | 319,973 | ||||||||||
Short-term marketable securities | 52,788 | 341,075 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $12,234 in 2022 and $12,374 in 2021) | 197,492 | 232,908 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 41,766 | 33,199 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 25,798 | 25,553 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 487,015 | 952,708 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | ||||||||||||||
Long-term marketable securities | 252,815 | 413,380 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $790,884 in 2022 and $777,637 in 2021) | 570,803 | 574,952 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 414,200 | 166,360 | ||||||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 343,351 | 14,246 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 110,628 | 95,800 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous assets | 350,454 | 346,662 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,529,266 | $ | 2,564,108 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
1
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-(Continued)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
March 27, 2022 | December 26, 2021 | |||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 146,152 | $ | 127,073 | ||||||||||
Accrued payroll and other related liabilities | 111,568 | 166,464 | ||||||||||||
Unexpired subscriptions revenue | 154,360 | 119,296 | ||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other | 180,933 | 146,319 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 593,013 | 559,152 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Pension benefits obligation | 291,035 | 295,104 | ||||||||||||
Postretirement benefits obligation | 35,413 | 36,086 | ||||||||||||
Other | 114,729 | 133,041 | ||||||||||||
Total other liabilities | 441,177 | 464,231 | ||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
Common stock of $.10 par value: | ||||||||||||||
Class A – authorized: 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2022 – 176,263,169; 2021 – 175,971,801 (including treasury shares: 2022 – 9,563,601; 2021 – 8,870,801) | 17,626 | 17,597 | ||||||||||||
Class B – convertible – authorized and issued shares: 2022 – 781,724; 2021 – 781,724 | 78 | 78 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 227,815 | 230,115 | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 1,834,734 | 1,845,343 | ||||||||||||
Common stock held in treasury, at cost | (200,245) | (171,211) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes: | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 2,146 | 3,754 | ||||||||||||
Funded status of benefit plans | (382,014) | (385,680) | ||||||||||||
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | (7,069) | (1,276) | ||||||||||||
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | (386,937) | (383,202) | ||||||||||||
Total New York Times Company stockholders’ equity | 1,493,071 | 1,538,720 | ||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 2,005 | 2,005 | ||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,495,076 | 1,540,725 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,529,266 | $ | 2,564,108 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||
(13 weeks) | ||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 371,979 | $ | 329,084 | ||||||||||
Advertising | 116,270 | 97,116 | ||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 537,425 | 473,045 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs | ||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 281,365 | 250,997 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 77,588 | 60,153 | ||||||||||||
Product development | 47,433 | 38,943 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 71,357 | 56,577 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | ||||||||||||
Total operating costs | 496,429 | 421,387 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs | 34,712 | — | ||||||||||||
Operating profit | 6,284 | 51,658 | ||||||||||||
Other components of net periodic benefit costs | 1,522 | 2,599 | ||||||||||||
Interest income and other, net | 1,075 | 1,511 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 5,837 | 50,570 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,112 | 9,461 | ||||||||||||
Net income | 4,725 | 41,109 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders | $ | 4,725 | $ | 41,109 | ||||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 167,866 | 167,647 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 168,257 | 168,165 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.24 | ||||||||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.07 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||
(13 weeks) | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 4,725 | $ | 41,109 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, before tax: | ||||||||||||||
Loss on foreign currency translation adjustments | (2,209) | (2,702) | ||||||||||||
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation | 5,010 | 6,406 | ||||||||||||
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | (7,916) | (1,067) | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, before tax | (5,115) | 2,637 | ||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit)/expense | (1,380) | 709 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax | (3,735) | 1,928 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders | $ | 990 | $ | 43,037 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Quarters Ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
Capital Stock - Class A and Class B Common | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Income Taxes | Total New York Times Company Stockholders’ Equity | Non- controlling Interest | Total Stock- holders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 27, 2020 | $ | 17,609 | $ | 216,714 | $ | 1,672,586 | $ | (171,211) | $ | (410,181) | $ | 1,325,517 | $ | 2,594 | $ | 1,328,111 | ||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 41,109 | — | — | 41,109 | — | 41,109 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | (11,835) | — | — | (11,835) | — | (11,835) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 1,928 | 1,928 | — | 1,928 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options – 323,360 Class A shares | 33 | 2,414 | — | — | — | 2,447 | — | 2,447 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock units vested – 142,707 Class A shares | 14 | (4,564) | — | — | — | (4,550) | — | (4,550) | ||||||||||||||||||
Performance-based awards – 142,253 Class A shares | 14 | (5,947) | — | — | — | (5,933) | — | (5,933) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | 4,185 | — | — | — | 4,185 | — | 4,185 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 28, 2021 | $ | 17,670 | $ | 212,802 | $ | 1,701,860 | $ | (171,211) | $ | (408,253) | $ | 1,352,868 | $ | 2,594 | $ | 1,355,462 | ||||||||||
Balance, December 26, 2021 | $ | 17,675 | $ | 230,115 | $ | 1,845,343 | $ | (171,211) | $ | (383,202) | $ | 1,538,720 | $ | 2,005 | $ | 1,540,725 | ||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 4,725 | — | — | 4,725 | — | 4,725 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | (15,334) | — | — | (15,334) | — | (15,334) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | (3,735) | (3,735) | — | (3,735) | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options – 400 Class A shares | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock units vested – 127,450 Class A shares | 13 | (3,784) | — | — | — | (3,771) | — | (3,771) | ||||||||||||||||||
Performance-based awards – 163,518 Class A shares | 16 | (5,573) | — | — | — | (5,557) | — | (5,557) | ||||||||||||||||||
Share Repurchases - 692,800 Class A shares | — | — | — | (29,034) | — | (29,034) | — | (29,034) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | 7,054 | — | — | — | 7,054 | — | 7,054 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 27, 2022 | $ | 17,704 | $ | 227,815 | $ | 1,834,734 | $ | (200,245) | $ | (386,937) | $ | 1,493,071 | $ | 2,005 | $ | 1,495,076 |
5
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||
(13 weeks) | ||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 4,725 | $ | 41,109 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,685 | 14,717 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of right of use asset | 5,400 | 2,166 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 7,054 | 4,185 | ||||||||||||
Change in long-term retirement benefit obligations | (4,555) | (4,004) | ||||||||||||
Fair market value adjustment on life insurance products | 514 | 208 | ||||||||||||
Other – net | (12,198) | (1,277) | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions: | ||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable – net | 40,930 | 38,522 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | (6,646) | (3,768) | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities | (75,571) | (68,428) | ||||||||||||
Unexpired subscriptions | 7,003 | 9,499 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | (14,659) | 32,929 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Purchases of marketable securities | (2,492) | (177,543) | ||||||||||||
Maturities of marketable securities | 442,895 | 155,782 | ||||||||||||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (515,299) | — | ||||||||||||
Sales of investments – net | (958) | (70) | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (8,580) | (6,394) | ||||||||||||
Other-net | 425 | 2,017 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (84,009) | (26,208) | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Long-term obligations: | ||||||||||||||
Dividends paid | (11,839) | (10,072) | ||||||||||||
Payment of contingent consideration | (1,724) | — | ||||||||||||
Capital shares: | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from stock option exercises | 3 | 2,447 | ||||||||||||
Repurchases | (29,034) | — | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation tax withholding | (9,328) | (10,483) | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (51,922) | (18,108) | ||||||||||||
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (150,590) | (11,387) | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (164) | (341) | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period | 334,306 | 301,964 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period | $ | 183,552 | $ | 290,236 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
In the opinion of management of The New York Times Company (the “Company”), the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended March 27, 2022, and March 28, 2021. 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 26, 2021. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations. The fiscal periods included herein comprise 13 weeks for the first quarter.
In December 2021, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to change the Company’s fiscal year from a 52/53 week fiscal year ending the last Sunday of December to a calendar year. Accordingly, the Company’s 2022 fiscal year, which commenced December 27, 2021, will be extended from December 25, 2022, to December 31,2022, and subsequent fiscal years will begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.
On February 1, 2022, we acquired The Athletic Media Company (“The Athletic”), a global digital subscription-based sports media business that provides national and local coverage of more than 200 clubs and teams in the U.S. and around the world. For the first quarter of 2022, the results of The Athletic have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2022. The Athletic is a separate reportable segment of the Company. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2022, we have two reportable segments: The New York Times Group and The Athletic. Management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker), uses adjusted operating profit by segment (as defined below) in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company includes in its presentation revenues and adjusted operating costs (as defined below) to arrive at adjusted operating profit by segment.
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 March 27, 2022, our significant accounting policies, which are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2021, have not changed materially.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standard Update(s) | Topic | Effective Period | Summary | ||||||||
2021-08 | Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers | Fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. | Requires entities to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The update will generally result in an entity recognizing contract assets and contract liabilities at amounts consistent with those recorded by the acquiree immediately before the acquisition date rather than at fair value. The Company adopted this guidance on December 27, 2021. As a result of The Athletic acquisition, the Company assumed unexpired subscriptions revenue of $28.1 million. |
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
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.
7
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 3. REVENUE
We generate revenues principally from subscriptions and advertising. Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our digital and print products (which include our news product, as well as The Athletic and our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products), and single-copy and bulk sales of our print products. Subscription 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.
Advertising revenue is principally from advertisers (such as technology, financial and luxury goods companies) promoting products, services or brands on digital platforms in the form of display ads, audio and video, and in print in the form of column-inch ads. Advertising revenue is primarily derived from offerings sold directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams. A smaller proportion of our total advertising revenues is generated through programmatic auctions run by third-party ad exchanges. Advertising revenue is primarily determined by the volume (e.g., impressions), rate and mix of advertisements. Digital advertising includes our core digital advertising business and other digital advertising. Our core digital advertising business includes direct-sold website, mobile application, podcast, email and video advertisements. Advertising revenue from The Athletic is primarily podcast revenue and therefore is reflected in this category. Direct-sold display advertising, a component of core digital advertising, includes offerings on websites and mobile applications sold directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams. Other digital advertising includes open-market programmatic advertising and creative services fees. Print advertising includes revenue from column-inch ads and classified advertising as well as preprinted advertising, also known as freestanding inserts.
Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in the New York headquarters building located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York (the “Company Headquarters”), retail commerce, our student subscription sponsorship program, our live events business and television and film.
Subscription, advertising and other revenues were as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | As % of total | March 28, 2021 | As % of total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 371,979 | 69.2 | % | $ | 329,084 | 69.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Advertising | 116,270 | 21.5 | % | 97,116 | 20.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other (1) | 49,176 | 9.3 | % | 46,845 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 537,425 | 100.0 | % | $ | 473,045 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Other revenues include building rental revenue, which is not under the scope of Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Building rental revenue was approximately $7 million and $6 million for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table summarizes digital and print subscription revenues, which are components of subscription revenues above, for the quarters ended March 27, 2022, and March 28, 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | As % of total | March 28, 2021 | As % of total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscription revenues (1) | $ | 226,763 | 61.0 | % | $ | 179,599 | 54.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Print subscription revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic home delivery subscription revenues (2) | 131,391 | 35.3 | % | 134,395 | 40.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Single-copy, NYT International and Other subscription revenues (3) | 13,825 | 3.7 | % | 15,090 | 4.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subtotal print subscription revenues | 145,216 | 39.0 | % | 149,485 | 45.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total subscription revenues | $ | 371,979 | 100.0 | % | $ | 329,084 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Includes revenue from digital-only bundled and standalone subscriptions to the Company’s news product, as well as The Athletic and our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Domestic home delivery subscriptions include access to digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) NYT International is the international edition of our print newspaper. |
8
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table summarizes digital and print advertising revenues, which are components of advertising revenues above, for the quarters ended March 27, 2022, and March 28, 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | As % of total | March 28, 2021 | As % of total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital | $ | 67,014 | 57.6 | % | $ | 59,496 | 61.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
49,256 | 42.4 | % | 37,620 | 38.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total advertising | $ | 116,270 | 100.0 | % | $ | 97,116 | 100.0 | % |
Performance Obligations
We have remaining performance obligations related to digital archive and other licensing and certain advertising contracts. As of March 27, 2022, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for contracts with a duration greater than one year was approximately $128 million. The Company will recognize this revenue as performance obligations are satisfied. We expect that approximately $35 million, $25 million and $68 million will be recognized in the remainder of 2022, 2023 and thereafter through 2028, respectively.
Contract Assets
As of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, the Company had $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in contract assets recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to digital archiving licensing revenue. The contract asset is reclassified to Accounts receivable when the customer is invoiced based on the contractual billing schedule.
NOTE 4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The Company accounts for its marketable securities as available for sale (“AFS”). The Company recorded $9.7 million and $1.7 million of net unrealized losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, respectively.
9
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair market value of our AFS securities as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021:
March 27, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 28,481 | $ | 4 | $ | (217) | $ | 28,268 | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 22,681 | 12 | (157) | 22,536 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 2,000 | — | (16) | 1,984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total short-term AFS securities | $ | 53,162 | $ | 16 | $ | (390) | $ | 52,788 | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | 167,793 | $ | — | $ | (6,365) | $ | 161,428 | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 56,576 | — | (1,892) | 54,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 28,804 | — | (850) | 27,954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 8,932 | — | (183) | 8,749 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term AFS securities | $ | 262,105 | $ | — | $ | (9,290) | $ | 252,815 |
December 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 148,899 | $ | 692 | $ | (43) | $ | 149,548 | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 107,158 | 245 | (69) | 107,334 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit | 55,551 | — | — | 55,551 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | 21,145 | — | — | 21,145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 3,999 | — | (2) | 3,997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 3,500 | — | — | 3,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total short-term AFS securities | $ | 340,252 | $ | 937 | $ | (114) | $ | 341,075 | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | 242,764 | $ | 149 | $ | (1,858) | $ | 241,055 | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 119,695 | — | (549) | 119,146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 39,498 | — | (252) | 39,246 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 13,994 | — | (61) | 13,933 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term AFS securities | $ | 415,951 | $ | 149 | $ | (2,720) | $ | 413,380 |
10
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following tables represent the AFS securities as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, that were in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
March 27, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | $ | 24,589 | $ | (217) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 24,589 | $ | (217) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 13,887 | (157) | — | — | 13,887 | (157) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 1,984 | (16) | — | — | 1,984 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total short-term AFS securities | $ | 40,460 | $ | (390) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 40,460 | $ | (390) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | 154,995 | $ | (6,253) | $ | 6,433 | $ | (112) | $ | 161,428 | $ | (6,365) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 51,923 | (1,805) | 2,761 | (87) | 54,684 | (1,892) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 27,954 | (850) | — | — | 27,954 | (850) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 8,749 | (183) | — | — | 8,749 | (183) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term AFS securities | $ | 243,621 | $ | (9,091) | $ | 9,194 | $ | (199) | $ | 252,815 | $ | (9,290) |
December 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | $ | 61,018 | $ | (43) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 61,018 | $ | (43) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 53,148 | (69) | — | — | 53,148 | (69) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 1,998 | (2) | — | — | 1,998 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total short-term AFS securities | $ | 116,164 | $ | (114) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 116,164 | $ | (114) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term AFS securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | 224,022 | $ | (1,858) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 224,022 | $ | (1,858) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 119,146 | (549) | — | — | 119,146 | (549) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 39,246 | (252) | — | — | 39,246 | (252) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 13,933 | (61) | — | — | 13,933 | (61) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term AFS securities | $ | 396,347 | $ | (2,720) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 396,347 | $ | (2,720) |
We assess AFS securities on a quarterly basis or more often if a potential loss-triggering event occurs.
As of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, 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 March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, we have recognized no losses or allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities.
11
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
As of March 27, 2022, our short-term and long-term marketable securities had remaining maturities of less than one month to 12 months and 13 months to 32 months, respectively. See Note 8 for more information regarding the fair value of our marketable securities.
NOTE 5. BUSINESS COMBINATION
The Athletic Acquisition
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The results of businesses acquired in a business combination are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
On February 1, 2022, the Company acquired The Athletic in an all-cash transaction. The consideration paid of approximately $550 million was funded from cash on hand and included $523.5 million which we determined to be the purchase price for assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and $26.7 million paid in connection with the acceleration of The Athletic stock options. The stock options acceleration is included in Acquisition-related costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of March 27, 2022.
The purchase price allocation has been prepared on a preliminary basis. As additional information becomes available, the Company may revise the allocation to certain assets and liabilities, including tax estimates. The Company will finalize the acquisition accounting within the required measurement period of one year.
The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price (at fair value) to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of The Athletic as of February 1, 2022 (the date of acquisition):
(In thousands) | Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation | Estimated Useful Life (in years) | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | $ | 18,495 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 281 | 3- 5 | ||||||||||||
Right of use asset (1) | 2,612 | |||||||||||||
Trademark (2) | 160,000 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Existing subscriber base (2) | 135,000 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Developed technology (2) | 35,000 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Content archive (2) | 2,000 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 249,792 | Indefinite | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities (3) | (41,107) | |||||||||||||
Other liabilities — Other | (3,491) | |||||||||||||
Deferred tax liability, net (4) | (35,116) | |||||||||||||
Total purchase price | $ | 523,466 |
(1) Included in Miscellaneous assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) Included in Intangible assets, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(3) Includes Unexpired subscriptions revenue of $28.1 million.
(4) Included in Deferred income taxes in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Goodwill is primarily attributable to future subscribers expected to be acquired both organically and through synergies from adding The Athletic to the Company’s products as well as the acquired assembled workforce. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of trademarks is estimated using a relief from royalty valuation method, the fair
12
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
value of subscriber relationships is estimated using a multi-period excess earnings valuation method, and the fair value of developed technology and content archive is estimated using a replacement cost method.
The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company, including The Athletic, as if the business combination had occurred on December 27, 2021, the earliest period presented herein:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 544,572 | $ | 487,167 | ||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | 28,045 | (8,215) |
The pro forma adjustments include (1) transaction costs and other one-time non-recurring costs which reduced expenses by $47.8 million for the quarter ended March 27, 2022 and increased expenses by $47.8 million for the quarter ended March 28, 2021, (2) recognition of additional amortization related to the intangible assets acquired (3) alignment of accounting policies (4) recognition of the estimated income tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. The pro forma does not reflect cost savings or operating synergies expected to result from the acquisition. These pro forma results are illustrative only and not indicative of the actual results of operations that would have been achieved nor are they indicative of future results of operations.
Goodwill and Intangibles
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill as of March 27, 2022, and since December 26, 2021, were as follows:
(In thousands) | The New York Times Group | The Athletic | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 27, 2020 | $ | 171,657 | $ | — | $ | 171,657 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | (5,297) | (5,297) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 26, 2021 | 166,360 | — | 166,360 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | (1,952) | — | (1,952) | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of The Athletic | — | 249,792 | 249,792 | |||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 27, 2022 | $ | 164,408 | $ | 249,792 | $ | 414,200 |
The foreign currency translation line item reflects changes in goodwill resulting from fluctuating exchange rates related to the consolidation of certain international subsidiaries.
As of March 27, 2022, the gross book value and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets from the acquisition of The Athletic were as follows:
(In thousands) | Gross book value | Accumulated amortization | Net book value | |||||||||||||||||
Trademark | $ | 160,000 | $ | (1,333) | $ | 158,667 | ||||||||||||||
Existing subscriber base | 135,000 | (1,875) | 133,125 | |||||||||||||||||
Developed technology | 35,000 | (1,167) | 33,833 | |||||||||||||||||
Content archive | 2,000 | (167) | 1,833 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 332,000 | $ | (4,542) | $ | 327,458 |
13
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Amortization expense for intangible assets from the acquisition of The Athletic included in Depreciation and amortization in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $4.5 million as of March 27, 2022. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of 2022 and each of the following fiscal years ending December 31 is presented below:
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Remainder of 2022 | $ | 20,438 | ||||||
2023 | 27,500 | |||||||
2024 | 27,500 | |||||||
2025 | 27,500 | |||||||
2026 | 27,500 | |||||||
Thereafter | 197,020 | |||||||
Total amortization expense | $ | 327,458 |
The aggregate carrying amount of intangible assets of $343.4 million, which includes an indefinite-lived intangible of $9.0 million, is included in Intangible assets, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2022.
NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS
Non-Marketable Equity Securities
Our non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies/funds without readily determinable market values. Gains and losses on non-marketable securities revalued, sold or impaired are recognized in Interest income and other, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, non-marketable equity securities included in Miscellaneous assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets had a carrying value of $28.8 million and $27.9 million, respectively.
NOTE 7. OTHER
Capitalized Computer Software Costs
Amortization of capitalized computer software costs included in Depreciation and amortization in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.9 million and $2.6 million in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Interest income and other, net
Interest income and other, net, as shown in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, was as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Interest income and other expense, net | $ | 1,222 | $ | 1,689 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (147) | (178) | ||||||||||||
Total interest income and other, net | $ | 1,075 | $ | 1,511 |
14
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Restricted Cash
A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is as follows:
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | December 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 169,171 | $ | 319,973 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash included within miscellaneous assets | 14,381 | 14,333 | ||||||||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | $ | 183,552 | $ | 334,306 |
Substantially all of the amount included in restricted cash is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.
Revolving Credit Facility
In September 2019, the Company entered into a $250.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). Certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at specified rates based on our utilization and consolidated leverage ratio. The Credit Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a quarterly unused commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.20%.
As of March 27, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the documents governing the Credit Facility.
Severance Costs
We recognized no severance costs in the first quarter of 2022 and $0.4 severance costs in the first quarter of 2021, respectively. These costs are recorded in General and administrative costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We had a severance liability of $1.9 million and $2.1 million included in Accrued expenses and other in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, respectively.
Acquisition-Related Costs
The Company incurred $34.7 million of acquisition-related costs during the quarter ended March 27, 2022. Acquisition-related costs primarily include expenses paid in connection with the acceleration of The Athletic stock options, and legal, accounting, financial advisory and integration planning expenses.
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.
15
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 March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021:
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | December 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term AFS securities (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 28,268 | $ | — | $ | 28,268 | $ | — | $ | 149,548 | $ | — | $ | 149,548 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 22,536 | — | 22,536 | — | 107,334 | — | 107,334 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit | — | — | — | — | 55,551 | — | 55,551 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 1,984 | — | 1,984 | — | 3,997 | — | 3,997 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | — | — | — | — | 3,500 | — | 3,500 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | — | — | — | — | 21,145 | — | 21,145 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total short-term AFS securities | $ | 52,788 | $ | — | $ | 52,788 | $ | — | $ | 341,075 | $ | — | $ | 341,075 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term AFS securities (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | 161,428 | $ | — | $ | 161,428 | $ | — | $ | 241,055 | $ | — | $ | 241,055 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 54,684 | — | 54,684 | — | 119,146 | — | 119,146 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. governmental agency securities | 27,954 | — | 27,954 | — | 39,246 | — | 39,246 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal securities | 8,749 | — | 8,749 | — | 13,933 | — | 13,933 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term AFS securities | $ | 252,815 | $ | — | $ | 252,815 | $ | — | $ | 413,380 | $ | — | $ | 413,380 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation (2)(3) | $ | 16,467 | $ | 16,467 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 21,101 | $ | 21,101 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | 5,858 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,858 | $ | 7,450 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,450 |
(1) 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 previously enabled 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) The Company invests the assets associated with the deferred compensation liability in life insurance products. Our investments in life insurance products are included in Miscellaneous assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and were $50.8 million as of March 27, 2022, and $52.5 million as of December 26, 2021. The fair value of these assets is measured using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) and has not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
16
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Level 3 Liabilities
The contingent consideration liability is related to the 2020 acquisition of substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Serial Productions, LLC (the “Serial acquisition”) and represents contingent payments based on the achievement of certain operational targets, as defined in the acquisition agreement, over the five years following the acquisition. The Company estimated the fair value using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. The estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration requires subjective assumptions to be made regarding probabilities assigned to operational targets and the discount rate. As the fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs, this is a Level 3 liability.
The following table presents changes in the contingent consideration balances for the quarters ended March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 7,450 | $ | 8,431 | ||||||||||
Payments | (1,724) | — | ||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments (1) | 132 | (703) | ||||||||||||
Contingent consideration at the end of the period | $ | 5,858 | $ | 7,728 |
(1) Fair value adjustments are included in General and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The remaining contingent consideration balances as of March 27, 2022, and December 26, 2021, of $5.9 million and $7.5 million, respectively, are included in Accrued expenses and other, for the current portion of the liability, and Other non-current liabilities, for the long-term portion of the liability, in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NOTE 9. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Pension
Single-Employer Plans
We maintain The New York Times Companies Pension Plan, a frozen single-employer defined benefit pension plan. The Company also jointly sponsors a defined benefit plan with The NewsGuild of New York known as the Guild-Times Adjustable Pension Plan (the “APP”) that continues to accrue active benefits.
We also have a foreign-based pension plan for certain employees (the “foreign plan”). The information for the foreign plan is combined with the information for U.S. non-qualified plans. The benefit obligation of the foreign plan is immaterial to our total benefit obligation.
The components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Qualified Plans | Non- Qualified Plans | All Plans | Qualified Plans | Non- Qualified Plans | All Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 2,882 | $ | — | $ | 2,882 | $ | 2,276 | $ | — | $ | 2,276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 8,837 | 1,284 | 10,121 | 7,629 | 1,088 | 8,717 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (13,807) | — | (13,807) | (12,677) | — | (12,677) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss | 3,266 | 1,643 | 4,909 | 5,055 | 1,821 | 6,876 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service credit | (486) | — | (486) | (486) | — | (486) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic pension cost (1) | $ | 692 | $ | 2,927 | $ | 3,619 | $ | 1,797 | $ | 2,909 | $ | 4,706 |
(1) The service cost component of net periodic pension cost is recognized in Total operating costs, while the other components are included in Other components of net periodic benefit costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, below Operating profit.
During the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, we made pension contributions of $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, to the APP. We expect to make contractual contributions in 2022 of approximately $10 million, which more than satisfy minimum funding requirements.
17
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Other Postretirement Benefits
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost/(income) were as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 12 | $ | 13 | ||||||||||
Interest cost | 183 | 141 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss | 823 | 852 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service credit | (236) | (836) | ||||||||||||
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (1) | $ | 782 | $ | 170 |
(1) The service cost component of net periodic postretirement benefit cost/(income) is recognized in Total operating costs, while the other components are included in Other components of net periodic benefit costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, below Operating profit.
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES
The Company had income tax expense of $1.1 million and $9.5 million in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations were 19.1% and 18.7% for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense and increase in effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2022 were primarily due to lower income from continuing operations resulting from costs related to The Athletic acquisition. Excluding the tax benefit resulting from the special item related to the acquisition of The Athletic, tax expense in the first quarter of 2022 exceeded tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 primarily due to a lower benefit in the first quarter of 2022 from stock appreciation on stock-based awards that settled in the quarters.
Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminates the option to deduct research and development expenditures immediately in the year incurred and instead requires taxpayers to capitalize and amortize such expenditures over five years. If Congress does not repeal or defer the effective date of this provision, we expect our 2022 cash tax payments will increase significantly as compared to 2021. We would also expect significant increases to our deferred tax assets as we begin to capitalize our research and development expenditures.
NOTE 11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
We compute earnings per share based upon the lower of the two-class method or the treasury stock method. The two-class method is 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 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 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. The difference between basic and diluted shares of approximately 0.4 million and 0.5 million in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, dilution resulted primarily from the dilutive effect of certain restricted stock units, performance awards and stock options. In 2021, dilution resulted primarily from the dilutive effect of certain performance awards, restricted stock units and stock options.
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.
There were approximately 0.2 million and 0.1 million restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive stock options or stock-settled long-term performance awards excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021.
NOTE 12. SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY INFORMATION
In February 2022, the Board of Directors approved a $150 million Class A stock repurchase program. The authorization provides that Class A shares may be purchased from time to time as market conditions warrant, through open market purchases,
18
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
privately negotiated transactions or other means, including Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.
As of March 27, 2022, repurchases under this authorization totaled approximately $29.0 million (excluding commissions) and approximately $121.0 million remained.
The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI by component as of March 27, 2022:
(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 26, 2021 | $ | 3,754 | $ | (385,680) | $ | (1,276) | $ | (383,202) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, before tax | (2,209) | — | (7,916) | (10,125) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax | — | 5,010 | — | 5,010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit)/expense | (601) | 1,344 | (2,123) | (1,380) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)/ income, net of tax | (1,608) | 3,666 | (5,793) | (3,735) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 27, 2022 | $ | 2,146 | $ | (382,014) | $ | (7,069) | $ | (386,937) |
The following table summarizes the reclassifications from AOCI for the quarter ended March 27, 2022:
(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) | $ | (722) | Other components of net periodic benefit costs | |||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss(1) | 5,732 | Other components of net periodic benefit costs | ||||||||||||
Total reclassification, before tax(2) | 5,010 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,344 | Income tax expense | ||||||||||||
Total reclassification, net of tax | $ | 3,666 |
(1) These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefits. See Note 9 for more information.
(2) There were no reclassifications relating to noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended March 27, 2022.
Total stock-based compensation expense included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenue | $ | 1,589 | $ | 1,129 | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 365 | 347 | ||||||||||||
Product development | 1,751 | 677 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 3,349 | 2,032 | ||||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 7,054 | $ | 4,185 |
19
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company identifies a business as an operating segment if: (i) it engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses; (ii) its operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (iii) it has available discrete financial information.
On February 1, 2022, the Company acquired The Athletic (see Note 5). For the first quarter of 2022, the results of The Athletic have been included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2022. The Athletic is a separate reportable segment of the Company. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2022, we have two reportable segments: The New York Times Group and The Athletic. These segments are evaluated regularly by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker in assessing performance and allocating resources. Management uses adjusted operating profit by segment in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company includes in its presentation revenues and adjusted operating costs to arrive at adjusted operating profit by segment. Adjusted operating costs are defined as operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs. Adjusted operating profit is defined as operating profit before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items.
The following tables present segment information:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 525,268 | $ | 473,045 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | 12,157 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 537,425 | $ | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 457,543 | $ | 404,938 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | 18,979 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total adjusted operating costs | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 67,725 | $ | 68,107 | (0.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | (6,822) | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total adjusted operating profit | $ | 60,903 | $ | 68,107 | (10.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
20
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Revenues detail by segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 361,602 | $ | 329,084 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
Advertising | 114,490 | 97,116 | 17.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 525,268 | $ | 473,045 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 10,377 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
Advertising | 1,780 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 12,157 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
The New York Times Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 371,979 | $ | 329,084 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Advertising | 116,270 | 97,116 | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 537,425 | $ | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
Adjusted operating costs (operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs) detail by segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 269,476 | $ | 250,997 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 74,460 | 60,153 | 23.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development | 45,179 | 38,943 | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative (1) | 68,428 | 54,845 | 24.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 457,543 | $ | 404,938 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 11,889 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 3,128 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Product development | 2,254 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative | 1,708 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 18,979 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
The New York Times Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 281,365 | $ | 250,997 | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 77,588 | 60,153 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development | 47,433 | 38,943 | 21.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative (1) | 70,136 | 54,845 | 27.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
(1) Excludes multiemployer pension withdrawal costs of $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 27, 2022 and severance and multiemployer pension withdrawal costs of $0.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 28,2021. | ||||||||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
21
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs (or adjusted operating costs) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Operating costs | $ | 496,429 | $ | 421,387 | 17.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Severance | — | 406 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | 1,221 | 1,326 | (7.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating costs | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Operating profit | $ | 6,284 | $ | 51,658 | (87.8) | % | ||||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Severance | — | 406 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | 1,221 | 1,326 | (7.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Special items: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs | 34,712 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit | $ | 60,903 | $ | 68,107 | (10.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
NOTE 14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business that are now pending against us. These actions generally have damage claims that are greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that we would be required to pay if we lost or settled the cases. 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
On December 9, 2020, we entered into an agreement to lease and subsequently sell approximately four acres of land at our printing and distribution facility in College Point, N.Y., subject to certain conditions. The lease commenced on April 11, 2022. At the time of the lease expiration in February 2025, we will sell the parcel to the lessee for approximately $36 million. The transaction is accounted for as a sales-type lease and as a result, we recognized a gain of approximately $34 million (net of commissions) at the time of lease commencement.
22
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
We are a global media organization that includes digital and print products and related businesses. On February 1, 2022, we acquired The Athletic Media Company (“The Athletic”), a global digital subscription-based sports media business that provides national and local coverage of more than 200 clubs and teams in the U.S. and around the world. For the first quarter of 2022, the results of The Athletic have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2022. The Athletic is a separate reportable segment of the Company. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2022, we have two reportable segments: The New York Times Group and The Athletic.
We generate revenues principally from subscriptions and advertising. In addition, we generate other revenues primarily consisting of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in our headquarters (the “Company Headquarters”), retail commerce, our student subscription sponsorship program, our live events business, and television and film.
Our main operating costs are employee-related costs.
In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we present certain information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are presenting in this report supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measures that exclude depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs or multiemployer pension plan withdrawal 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 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
23
Financial Highlights
•On February 1, 2022, we acquired The Athletic and have included its results in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2022.
•Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.03 and $0.24 for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below under “ Non-GAAP Financial Measures” (or “adjusted diluted earnings per share,” a non-GAAP measure) were $0.19 and $0.26 for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
•Operating profit decreased 87.8% to $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $51.7 million in the first quarter of 2021. Operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items discussed below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” (or “adjusted operating profit,” a non-GAAP measure) decreased 10.6% to $60.9 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared with $68.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.
•Total revenues increased 13.6% to $537.4 million in the first quarter of 2022 from $473.0 million in the first quarter of 2021.
•Total subscription revenues increased 13.0% to $372.0 million in the first quarter of 2022 from $329.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. Paid digital-only subscribers totaled approximately 8,328,000 with 9,620,000 paid digital-only subscriptions at the end of the first quarter of 2022, a net increase of 387,000 digital-only subscribers and 382,000 digital-only subscriptions compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net increase of 1,354,000 digital-only subscriptions compared with the end of the first quarter of 2021.
•Total advertising revenues increased 19.7% to $116.3 in the first quarter of 2022 from $97.1 in the first quarter of 2021, due to an increase of 12.6% in digital advertising revenues and an increase of 30.9% in print advertising revenues.
•Operating costs increased 17.8% to $496.4 million in the first quarter of 2022 from $421.4 million in the first quarter of 2021. Operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs (or “adjusted operating costs,” a non-GAAP measure) increased 17.7% in the first quarter of 2022 to $476.5 million from $404.9 million in the first quarter of 2021.
•Operating costs that we refer to as “technology costs,” consisting of product development costs as well as components of costs of revenues and general and administrative costs as described below, increased 22.0% to $87.9 million compared with $72.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic
The global Covid-19 pandemic, efforts to contain it and the resulting disruptions continue to have widespread, rapidly evolving, and unpredictable impacts on global society, economies, financial markets and business practices. See “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2021, for more information. The full impact that the pandemic will have on our business, operations and financial results is uncertain and will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, including the extent of variants and resurgences; the effect of ongoing vaccination and mitigation efforts; the impact of the pandemic on economic conditions and the companies with which we do business, including our advertisers; the status of travel restrictions; and changes in consumer behavior in response to the pandemic, among many other factors. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state, local or foreign authorities, or that we determine are appropriate.
As a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the vast majority of our employees have worked remotely since March 2020. As we transition to hybrid work with employees working both from the office and remotely, we have invested and expect to continue to invest in our Company Headquarters and other offices as well as in technological improvements.
24
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents our consolidated financial results:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 371,979 | $ | 329,084 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Advertising | 116,270 | 97,116 | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 537,425 | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Operating costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 281,365 | 250,997 | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 77,588 | 60,153 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development | 47,433 | 38,943 | 21.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 71,357 | 56,577 | 26.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs | 496,429 | 421,387 | 17.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs | 34,712 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Operating profit | 6,284 | 51,658 | (87.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other components of net periodic benefit costs | 1,522 | 2,599 | (41.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income and other, net | 1,075 | 1,511 | (28.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 5,837 | 50,570 | (88.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,112 | 9,461 | (88.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | 4,725 | 41,109 | (88.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders | $ | 4,725 | $ | 41,109 | (88.5) | % |
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
25
Revenues
Subscription Revenues
Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our digital and print products (which include our news product, as well as The Athletic and our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products), and single-copy and bulk sales of our print products (which represent less than 5% of these revenues). Subscription 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.
2022 Compared with 2021
Subscription revenues increased 13.0% in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same prior-year period, primarily due to growth in the number of subscribers to the Company’s digital-only products and a benefit from subscriptions graduating to higher prices from introductory promotional pricing, as well as the inclusion of subscription revenue from The Athletic. The increases in subscription revenue were slightly offset by a decrease in print subscription revenue primarily attributable to lower domestic home delivery revenue, which declined 2.2%, as well as lower single-copy revenue. There is no print subscription revenue generated from The Athletic.
The Company ended the first quarter of 2022 with approximately 9,108,000 paid subscribers with approximately 10,390,000 paid subscriptions across its print and digital products. Of the 9,108,000 subscribers, 8,328,000 were paid digital-only subscribers with 9,620,000 paid digital-only subscriptions. As a result of the acquisition of The Athletic during the quarter, the Company added The Athletic’s approximately 1,101,000 subscribers and 1,233,000 subscriptions as of the date of acquisition.
There was a net increase of 387,000 digital-only subscribers and 382,000 digital-only subscriptions compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net increase of 1,354,000 digital-only subscriptions compared with the end of the first quarter of 2021. These net increases included approximately 16,000 net subscriber and 24,000 net subscription additions to The Athletic since the acquisition. In addition, during the quarter, the Company expanded the terms of domestic home delivery print subscriptions to include access to its Games product and canceled approximately 67,000 standalone Games subscriptions held by home delivery subscribers. This change reduced digital-only subscriptions by 67,000 in the quarter, but had no impact on subscriber numbers.
Print domestic home delivery subscribers totaled approximately 780,000 with 770,000 print subscriptions at the end of the first quarter of 2022, a net decrease of 15,000 subscribers and 14,000 subscriptions compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net decrease of 57,000 subscribers and 55,000 subscriptions compared with the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The following table summarizes digital and print subscription revenues for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscription revenues (1) | $ | 226,763 | $ | 179,599 | 26.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
Print subscription revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic home delivery subscription revenues (2) | 131,391 | 134,395 | (2.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Single-copy, NYT International and Other subscription revenues (3) | 13,825 | 15,090 | (8.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Subtotal print subscription revenues | 145,216 | 149,485 | (2.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total subscription revenues | $ | 371,979 | $ | 329,084 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
(1) Includes revenue from digital-only bundled and standalone subscriptions to the Company’s news product, as well as The Athletic and our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Domestic home delivery subscriptions include access to digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) NYT International is the international edition of our print newspaper. |
26
We offer a digital subscription package (or “bundle”) that includes access to our digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products. We also offer standalone digital subscriptions to our digital news product, as well as to The Athletic, and our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products. The Company has set out below the number of digital-only, print and total subscribers to the Company’s products as well as certain additional metrics, including average revenue per subscriber. A digital-only subscriber is defined as a subscriber who has subscribed (and provided a valid method of payment) for the right to access one or more of the Company’s digital products.
The following table summarizes digital and print subscribers as of the end of the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, and fourth quarter of 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | December 26, 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscribers(1) | 8,328 | 6,101 | 36.5 | % | 6,840 | 21.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Print subscribers(2) | 780 | 837 | (6.8) | % | 795 | (1.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total subscribers | 9,108 | 6,938 | 31.3 | % | 7,635 | 19.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Subscribers with paid digital-only subscriptions to one or more of the Company’s news, The Athletic, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products. Subscribers with a paid domestic home-delivery print subscription to The New York Times are excluded. The number of paid digital-only subscribers from group education and group corporate subscriptions (which collectively represented approximately 5% of paid digital-only subscribers as of December 26, 2021) is derived using the value of the relevant contract and a discounted subscription rate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Subscribers with a paid domestic home delivery or mail print subscription to The New York Times, which also includes access to digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products, or a paid print subscription to our Book Review or Large Type Weekly products. Book Review, Mail and Large Type Weekly subscribers are included in the count of subscribers but not subscriptions. |
The following table summarizes digital and print subscriptions(1) as of the end of the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, and the fourth quarter of 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | December 26, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscriptions (2)(3) | 9,620 | 7,033 | 36.8 | % | 8,005 | 20.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Print subscriptions (4) | 770 | 825 | (6.7) | % | 784 | (1.8) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total subscriptions | 10,390 | 7,858 | 32.2 | % | 8,789 | 18.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) While the Company is moving toward an emphasis on individual subscriber growth rather than growth of total subscriptions, we expect to continue to report on the number of subscriptions at least through the fourth quarter of 2022. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Paid digital-only subscriptions to the Company’s news, The Athletic, Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products. Standalone subscriptions to these products are counted separately and bundle subscriptions are counted as one subscription. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) The number of paid digital-only subscriptions includes estimated group corporate and group education subscriptions (which collectively represent approximately 5% of paid digital-only subscriptions as of December 26, 2021). We calculate this estimate using the value of the relevant contract and a discounted subscription rate. The actual number of users who have access to our products through group subscriptions is substantially higher. In the fourth quarter of 2021, we updated the discounted subscription rate used as part of this calculation in order to bring it in line with our current digital subscription pricing model. For comparison purposes, we recast digital-only subscriptions in prior periods using the updated methodology, and this resulted in approximately 42,000 additional group corporate and group education subscriptions in the first quarter of 2021. There is no impact to subscription revenue as a result of this change. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) Paid domestic home-delivery print subscriptions to The New York Times, which also include access to digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products. Excludes subscriptions to our Book Review or Large Type Weekly products and subscriptions to The New York Times that are delivered by mail. |
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The following table summarizes supplementary subscriber metrics as of the end of the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, and fourth quarter of 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands except for ARPU) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | December 26, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscriber ARPU(1) | $ | 9.04 | $ | 9.15 | (1.2) | % | $ | 9.55 | (5.3) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total multiproduct subscribers(2) | 2,569 | 2,100 | 22.3 | % | 2,351 | 9.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital-only subscribers with News(3) | 6,150 | 5,290 | 16.3 | % | 5,880 | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribers with The Athletic(4) | 1,257 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) “Digital-only subscriber Average Revenue per User” or “Digital-only subscriber ARPU” is calculated by dividing the average monthly digital subscription revenue (calculated by dividing digital subscription revenue in the quarter by 3.25 to reflect a 28-day billing cycle) in the measurement period by the average number of digital subscribers during the period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Subscribers with paid subscriptions that include access to two or more of the Company’s products, including through separate standalone subscriptions; a digital bundle; or a print home-delivery subscription (which includes access to our digital news, Games, Cooking and Wirecutter products). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) Subscribers with a paid digital-only subscription that includes access to the Company’s digital news product. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) Subscribers with a paid subscription that includes access to The Athletic. |
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We believe that the significant growth over the last several years in subscriptions to our products demonstrates the success of our “subscription-first” strategy and the willingness of our readers to pay for high-quality journalism. The Company is increasing its emphasis on subscriber growth rather than growth of total subscriptions. The following charts illustrate the growth in net digital-only subscribers and corresponding subscription revenues as well as the relative stability of our print domestic home delivery subscription products.
(1) Amounts may not add due to rounding.
(2) Includes access to some of our digital products.
(3) Includes Book Review, Mail and Large Type Weekly subscribers.
(4) Print Other includes single-copy, NYT International and other subscription revenues
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Advertising Revenues
Advertising revenue is principally from advertisers (such as technology, financial and luxury goods companies) promoting products, services or brands on digital platforms in the form of display ads, audio and video, and in print, in the form of column-inch ads. Advertising revenue is primarily derived from offerings sold directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams. A smaller proportion of our total advertising revenues is generated through programmatic auctions run by third-party ad exchanges. Advertising revenue is primarily determined by the volume (e.g., impressions or column inches), rate and mix of advertisements. Digital advertising includes our core digital advertising business and other digital advertising. Our core digital advertising business includes direct-sold website, mobile application, podcast, email and video advertisements. Advertising revenue from The Athletic is primarily podcast revenue and therefore is reflected in this category. Direct-sold display advertising, a component of core digital advertising, includes offerings on websites and mobile applications sold directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams. Other digital advertising includes open-market programmatic advertising and creative services fees. Print advertising includes revenue from column-inch ads and classified advertising, as well as preprinted advertising, also known as freestanding inserts.
The following table summarizes digital and print advertising revenues for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Advertising revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Digital | $ | 67,014 | $ | 59,496 | 12.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
49,256 | 37,620 | 30.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total advertising | $ | 116,270 | $ | 97,116 | 19.7 | % |
2022 Compared with 2021
Digital advertising revenues, which represented 57.6% of total advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2022, increased $7.5 million, or 12.6%, to $67.0 million compared with $59.5 million in the same prior-year period, of which $1.8 million, or 23.7%, was contributed by The Athletic following the acquisition. The increase was primarily driven by higher direct-sold advertising, including traditional display and podcasts. Core digital advertising revenue increased $10.3 million, which includes $1.8 million from The Athletic, due to growth in direct-sold display advertising and podcast advertising revenues. Direct-sold display impressions increased 7%, while the average rate grew 19%. Other digital advertising revenue decreased $2.8 million, primarily due to a 16% decrease in creative services fees, as well as a 14.3% decrease in open-market programmatic advertising revenue. Programmatic impressions decreased by 36%, while the average rate increased 32%.
Print advertising revenues, which represented 42.4% of total advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2022, increased $11.6 million, or 30.9%, to $49.3 million compared with $37.6 million in the same prior-year period. There is no print advertising revenue generated from The Athletic. The increase in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily in the entertainment and luxury categories, which were more severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2021.
Other Revenues
Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in the Company Headquarters, retail commerce, our student subscription sponsorship program, our live events business, and television and film.
2022 Compared with 2021
Other revenues increased 5.0% in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same prior-year period, primarily as a result of higher commercial printing revenue as we began printing several News Corporation publications in our College Point, N.Y., printing and distribution facility in mid-2021, and higher Wirecutter affiliate referral revenues mainly due to Wirecutter’s presence on our core news website (NYTimes.com) homepage resulting in increased views. These increases were partially offset by lower television series revenues as no new episodes aired in 2022 compared to 2021.
Building rental revenue from the leasing of floors in the Company Headquarters totaled $7.1 million and $6.2 million in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Operating Costs
Operating costs were as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Operating costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) (1) | $ | 281,365 | $ | 250,997 | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 77,588 | 60,153 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development (1) | 47,433 | 38,943 | 21.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative (1) | 71,357 | 56,577 | 26.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs | $ | 496,429 | $ | 421,387 | 17.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
(1)Technology costs, which include product development costs and certain components of cost of revenue and general and administrative costs as described below, increased 22.0% to $87.9 million compared with $72.1 million the first quarter of 2021. |
Cost of Revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Cost of revenue includes all costs related to content creation, subscriber and advertiser servicing, and print production and distribution as well as infrastructure costs related to delivering digital content, which include all cloud and cloud-related costs as well as compensation for employees that enhance and maintain that infrastructure.
2022 Compared with 2021
Cost of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2022 by $30.4 million, or 12.1%, compared with the first quarter of 2021. The increase is largely due to higher journalism costs of $22.1 million, higher subscriber servicing costs of $5.0 million, and higher print production and distribution costs of $2.5 million. The increase in journalism costs was largely driven by growth in the number of employees who work in the newsroom and on our Games, Cooking, Audm and Wirecutter products, as well as the inclusion of $10.8 million in journalism costs from The Athletic. The increase in subscriber servicing costs was primarily due to higher credit card processing fees and third-party commissions due to increased subscriptions. The increase in print production and distribution costs was largely due to an increase in newsprint pricing and higher compensation and benefits. Technology costs in Cost of revenue, which include costs related to content delivery and subscriber technology, increased 12.3% to $24.5 million compared with $21.8 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing includes costs related to the Company’s marketing efforts as well as advertising sales costs. Media expenses is a component of sales and marketing costs that represents the cost to promote our subscription business.
2022 Compared with 2021
Sales and marketing costs in the first quarter of 2022 increased by $17.4 million, or 29.0%, compared with the first quarter of 2021. The increase is primarily due to higher media expenses and the inclusion of $3.1 million in sales and marketing costs from The Athletic.
Media expenses increased to $46.3 million in the first quarter of 2022 from $35.9 million in the first quarter of 2021 largely as a result of higher brand marketing expenses.
Product Development
Product development includes costs associated with the Company’s investment in developing and enhancing new and existing product technology, including engineering, product development and data insights.
2022 Compared with 2021
Product development costs in the first quarter of 2022 increased by $8.5 million, or 21.8%, compared with the first quarter of 2021. The increase was largely due to growth in the number of digital product development employees in connection with digital subscription strategic initiatives as well as the inclusion of $2.3 million in product development costs from The Athletic. All product development costs are technology costs.
General and Administrative Costs
General and administrative costs include general management, corporate enterprise technology, building operations, unallocated overhead costs, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs.
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2022 Compared with 2021
General and administrative costs in the first quarter of 2022 increased by $14.8 million, or 26.1%, compared with the first quarter of 2021. The increase is primarily due to growth in the number of employees as well as the inclusion of $1.7 million in general and administrative costs from The Athletic. Technology costs in General and administrative, which include costs related to enterprise technology and information security, increased 41.0% million to $16.0 million compared with $11.3 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Depreciation and Amortization
2022 Compared with 2021
Depreciation and amortization costs in the first quarter of 2022 increased $4.0 million, or 27.0%, compared to the first quarter of 2021. The increase is due to the acquisition of The Athletic, partially offset by lower depreciation of software assets.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding other items.
Segment Information
On February 1, 2022, we acquired The Athletic. For the first quarter of 2022, the results of The Athletic have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning February 1, 2022. Beginning in the first quarter of 2022, we have two reportable segments: The New York Times Group and The Athletic. Management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer (who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker), uses adjusted operating profit by segment (as defined below) in assessing performance and allocating resources. We include in our presentation revenues and adjusted operating costs (as defined below) to arrive at adjusted operating profit by segment. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information on adjusted operating costs and adjusted operating profit.
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 525,268 | $ | 473,045 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | 12,157 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 537,425 | $ | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 457,543 | $ | 404,938 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | 18,979 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total adjusted operating costs | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | $ | 67,725 | $ | 68,107 | (0.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | (6,822) | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total adjusted operating profit | $ | 60,903 | $ | 68,107 | (10.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
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Revenues detail by segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 361,602 | $ | 329,084 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
Advertising | 114,490 | 97,116 | 17.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 525,268 | $ | 473,045 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 10,377 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
Advertising | 1,780 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 12,157 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
The New York Times Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription | $ | 371,979 | $ | 329,084 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Advertising | 116,270 | 97,116 | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 49,176 | 46,845 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 537,425 | $ | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
Adjusted operating costs (operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs) details by segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
The New York Times Group | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 269,476 | $ | 250,997 | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 74,460 | 60,153 | 23.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development | 45,179 | 38,943 | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative (1) | 68,428 | 54,845 | 24.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 457,543 | $ | 404,938 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Athletic | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 11,889 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 3,128 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Product development | 2,254 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative | 1,708 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 18,979 | $ | — | * | |||||||||||||||
The New York Times Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 281,365 | $ | 250,997 | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 77,588 | 60,153 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Product development | 47,433 | 38,943 | 21.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted general and administrative (1) | 70,136 | 54,845 | 27.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
(1) Excludes multiemployer pension withdrawal costs of $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 27, 2022 and severance and multiemployer pension withdrawal costs of $0.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 28,2021. | ||||||||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
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The New York Times Group
New York Times Group revenues grew 11.0% in the first quarter of 2022 to $525.3 million from $473.0 million in the first quarter of 2021. Subscription revenues increased 9.9% to $361.6 million from $329.1 million in the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to growth in subscription revenues from digital-only products. Advertising revenues increased 17.9% to $114.5 million from $97.1 million in the first quarter of 2021 due to growth in print and digital advertising revenues.
New York Times Group operating costs grew 13.0% in the first quarter of 2022 to $457.5 million from $404.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in costs were primarily related to growth in the number of employees and higher media expenses.
Adjusted operating profit decreased 0.6% to $67.7 million from $68.1 million in the prior year as higher revenues were more than offset by higher costs.
The Athletic
For the approximately two months in the first quarter of 2022 that the Company owned The Athletic, revenues totaled $12.2 million, primarily from subscription revenues.
The Athletic adjusted operating costs totaled $19.0 million for the period of the first quarter from February 1, 2022, largely from cost of revenue, which was primarily related to journalism costs.
The Athletic adjusted operating loss totaled $6.8 million for the period of the first quarter from February 1, 2022.
NON-OPERATING ITEMS
Other Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding other components of net periodic benefit costs.
Interest Income and other, net
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding interest income and other, net.
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, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit), and expressed as a percentage of revenues, adjusted operating profit margin; and
•operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs (or adjusted operating costs).
The special item in the first quarter of 2022 consisted of:
•a $34.7 million of pre-tax costs ($25.4 million or $0.15 per share after tax) related to the acquisition of The Athletic. Acquisition-related costs primarily include expenses paid in connection with the acceleration of The Athletic stock options, and legal, accounting, financial advisory and integration planning expenses.
There were no special items in the first quarter of 2021.
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
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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 the Company’s period-to-period performance because it eliminates items that the Company does not consider to be indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. Adjusted operating profit (and adjusted operating profit margin) is useful in evaluating the ongoing performance of the Company’s 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 multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs. Total operating costs, excluding these items, provide investors with helpful supplemental information on the Company’s underlying operating costs that is used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Management considers special items, which may include impairment charges, pension settlement charges, acquisition-related costs 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.
Included in our non-GAAP financial measures are non-operating retirement costs which are primarily tied to financial market performance and changes in market interest rates and investment performance. Management considers non-operating retirement costs to be outside the performance of the business and believes that presenting adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding non-operating retirement costs and presenting adjusted operating results excluding multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs, in addition to the Company’s GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations and GAAP operating results, provide increased transparency and a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.24 | (87.5) | % | ||||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-operating retirement costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | 0.01 | 0.01 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Other components of net periodic benefit costs | 0.01 | 0.02 | (50.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Special items: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs | 0.21 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense of adjustments | (0.06) | (0.01) | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(1) | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.26 | (26.9) | % |
(1)Amounts may not add due to rounding.
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
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Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating profit | $ | 6,284 | $ | 51,658 | (87.8) | % | ||||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Severance | — | 406 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | 1,221 | 1,326 | (7.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Special items: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs | 34,712 | — | * | |||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit | $ | 60,903 | $ | 68,107 | (10.6) | % | ||||||||||||||
Divided by: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 537,425 | 473,045 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit margin | 11.3 | % | 14.4 | % | (310) bps | |||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
Reconciliation of operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs (or adjusted operating costs) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating costs | $ | 496,429 | $ | 421,387 | 17.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,686 | 14,717 | 27.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Severance | — | 406 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | 1,221 | 1,326 | (7.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating costs | $ | 476,522 | $ | 404,938 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful. |
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We believe our cash balance and cash provided by operations, in combination with other sources of cash, will be sufficient to meet our financing needs over the next twelve months. As of March 27, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities of $474.8 million. Our cash and marketable securities balances between December 26, 2021, and March 27, 2022, decreased primarily due to consideration paid for the acquisition of The Athletic and the annual incentive compensation payments.
We have paid quarterly dividends on the Class A and Class B Common Stock each quarter since late 2013. In February 2022, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.09 per share, which was paid in April 2022. We currently expect to continue to pay comparable cash dividends in the future, although changes in our dividends will be considered by our Board of Directors in light of our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant.
In February 2022, the Board of Directors approved a $150.0 million Class A stock repurchase program. The authorization provides that Class A shares may be purchased from time to time as market conditions warrant, through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means, including Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. We expect to repurchase shares primarily to offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation program, but subject to market conditions and other factors, we may also make opportunistic repurchases to reduce share count. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization. As of March 27, 2022, we repurchased 692,800 shares for approximately $29.0 million under this authorization.
Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
Cash flows (used in)/provided by category were as follows:
For the Quarters Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | March 27, 2022 | March 28, 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (14,659) | $ | 32,929 | (144.5) | % | ||||||||||||||
Investing activities | $ | (84,009) | $ | (26,208) | 220.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
Financing activities | $ | (51,922) | $ | (18,108) | 186.7 | % |
Operating Activities
Cash from operating activities is generated by cash receipts from subscriptions, advertising sales and other revenue. Operating cash outflows include payments for employee compensation, pension and other benefits, raw materials, marketing expenses and income taxes.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same prior-year period primarily due to lower net income, higher cash payments made to settle accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities, an increase in other assets and lower cash payments received from prepaid subscriptions, partially offset by higher cash collections from accounts receivable.
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 and acquisitions of new businesses and investments.
Net cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily related to $515.3 million in consideration paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and $8.6 million in capital expenditures payments, partially offset by $440.4 million net maturities of marketable securities.
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 finance lease obligations and share-based compensation tax withholding.
Net cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2022 was primarily related to share repurchases of $29.0 million, dividend payments of $11.8 million and share-based compensation tax withholding payments of $9.3 million.
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Restricted Cash
We were required to maintain $14.4 million of restricted cash as of March 27, 2022, and $14.3 million as of December 26, 2021, substantially all of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled approximately $10 million and $7 million in the first quarter of 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures in 2022 was primarily driven by improvements in the Company Headquarters which are intended to address growth in the number of employees and to enhance technologies that support our transition to hybrid work with employees working both from the office and remotely. The cash payments related to capital expenditures totaled approximately $9 million and $6 million in the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Third-Party Financing
In September 2019, we entered into a $250 million five-year unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). Certain of our domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Facility. As of March 27, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2021. Other than as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, as of March 27, 2022, our critical accounting policies have not changed from December 26, 2021.
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 within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Terms such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “conviction,” “could,” “drive,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “optimistic,” “outlook,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would” or similar statements or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that change over time; actual results could differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: significant competition in all aspects of our business; our ability to grow the size and profitability of our subscriber base; our dependence on metrics that are subject to inherent challenges in measurement; our ability to improve and scale our technical and data infrastructure and respond and adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior; numerous factors that affect our advertising revenues, including economic conditions, market dynamics, evolving digital advertising trends and the evolution of our strategy; damage to our brand or reputation; the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; economic, geopolitical and other risks associated with the international scope of our business and foreign operations; our ability to attract and maintain a talented and diverse workforce; the impact of labor negotiations and agreements; adverse results from litigation or governmental investigations; risks associated with the recent acquisition of The Athletic, including, among others, those related to our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, our ability to meet our publicly announced guidance about the impact of the acquisition, and the risks associated with its business and operations; the risks and challenges associated with investments we make in new and existing products and services, including The Athletic; risks associated with other acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other transactions; potential effects on our operating flexibility as a result of the nature of significant portions of our expenses; the effects of the size and volatility of our pension plan obligations; liabilities that may result from our participation in multiemployer pension plans; significant disruptions in our newsprint supply chain or newspaper printing and distribution channels or a significant increase in the costs to print and distribute our newspaper; security breaches and other network and information systems disruptions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations, including with respect to privacy, data protection and consumer marketing practices; payment processing risk; defects, delays or interruptions in the cloud-based hosting services we utilize; our ability to protect our intellectual property; claims of intellectual property infringement that we have been, and may be in the future, be subject to; the effects of restrictions on our operations as a result of the terms of our credit facility; our future access to capital markets and other financing options; and the concentration of control of our company due to our dual-class capital structure.
More information regarding these risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth in “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2021, and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
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Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-Q. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2021, details our disclosures about market risk. As of March 27, 2022, there were no material changes in our market risks from December 26, 2021.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 27, 2022. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 27, 2022, other than as described in following paragraph, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
On February 1, 2022, we acquired The Athletic. We are currently planning the integration of The Athletic into our operations and internal control processes and, pursuant to the SEC’s guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of an assessment in the year of acquisition, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting at December 31, 2022, will not include The Athletic.
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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 generally have damage claims that are greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that we would be required to pay if we lost or settled the cases. 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 26, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In February 2022, the Board of Directors approved a $150.0 million Class A stock repurchase program. The authorization provides that Class A shares may be purchased from time to time as market conditions warrant, through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means, including Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. We expect to repurchase shares primarily to offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation program, but subject to market conditions and other factors, we may also make opportunistic repurchases to reduce share count. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization. As of March 27, 2022, repurchases under this authorization totaled approximately $29.0 million (excluding commissions) and approximately $121.0 million remained.
Period | Total numbers of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased | Average price paid per share of Class A Common Stock | Total number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares of Class A Common Stock that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 31, 2022 - February 27, 2022 (1) | 600,000 | $ | 41.77 | 600,000 | $ | 124,938,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
February 28, 2022 - March 27, 2022 | 92,800 | $ | 42.70 | 92,800 | $ | 120,979,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total for the first quarter of 2022 | 692,800 | $ | 41.89 | 692,800 | $ | 120,979,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Reflects repurchases under the authorization approved on February 1, 2022. |
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No. | ||||||||
2.1* | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 6, 2022, by and among The Athletic Media Company, The New York Times Company, Subscription Holding Co. and Shareholder Representative Services LLC (filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 7, 2022, and incorporated by reference herein). | |||||||
31.1 | ||||||||
31.2 | ||||||||
32.1 | ||||||||
32.2 | ||||||||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |||||||
*Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit (indicated by an asterisk above) because it is both (i) not material and (ii) is the type of information that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in the exhibit with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY | ||||||||
(Registrant) | ||||||||
Date: | May 4, 2022 | /s/ Roland A. Caputo | ||||||
Roland A. Caputo Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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