For the Quarterly Period Ended June 27, 2004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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 June 27, 2004

 

Commission File Number 1-6714

 


 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   53-0182885

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

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

 

(202) 334-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

Shares outstanding at July 27, 2004:

 

Class A Common Stock

  1,722,250   Shares

Class B Common Stock

  7,845,447   Shares

 



THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

Index to Form 10-Q

 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

    
   

a. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003

   3
   

b. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003

   4
   

c. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 27, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 28, 2003

   5
   

d. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003

   6
   

e. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   7

Item 2.

 

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

   16

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   23

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   24

Item 6.

 

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   24

Signatures

   26

 

2.


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

    Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)    June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


    June 27,
2004


   

June 29,

2003


 

Operating revenues

                                

Advertising

   $ 340,985     $ 318,927     $ 643,151     $ 598,724  

Circulation and subscriber

     185,728       176,348       365,988       348,534  

Education

     276,696       195,560       534,967       373,338  

Other

     14,982       16,105       33,254       26,784  
    


 


 


 


       818,391       706,940       1,577,360       1,347,380  
    


 


 


 


Operating costs and expenses

                                

Operating

     420,407       368,974       830,089       717,608  

Selling, general and administrative

     203,334       187,493       401,465       356,663  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     44,769       43,212       88,628       86,607  

Amortization of intangible assets

     3,881       363       6,261       512  
    


 


 


 


       672,391       600,042       1,326,443       1,161,390  
    


 


 


 


Income from operations

     146,000       106,898       250,917       185,990  

Other income (expense)

                                

Equity in losses of affiliates

     (353 )     (5,524 )     (2,069 )     (8,166 )

Interest income

     458       458       802       573  

Interest expense

     (6,830 )     (6,658 )     (13,691 )     (13,896 )

Other, net

     (71 )     2,274       671       50,409  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     139,204       97,448       236,630       214,910  

Provision for income taxes

     54,300       36,800       92,300       81,200  
    


 


 


 


Net Income

     84,904       60,648       144,330       133,710  

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

     (245 )     (258 )     (747 )     (775 )
    


 


 


 


Net income available for common shares

   $ 84,659     $ 60,390     $ 143,583     $ 132,935  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share

   $ 8.85     $ 6.34     $ 15.02     $ 13.95  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 8.82     $ 6.32     $ 14.98     $ 13.91  
    


 


 


 


Dividends declared per common share

   $ 1.75     $ 1.45     $ 5.25     $ 4.35  
    


 


 


 


Basic average number of common shares outstanding

     9,563       9,527       9,557       9,527  

Diluted average number of common shares outstanding

     9,596       9,555       9,588       9,554  
    


 


 


 


 

3.


The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

    Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands)    June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


    June 27,
2004


   

June 29,

2003


 

Net income

   $ 84,904     $ 60,648     $ 144,330     $ 133,710  
    


 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss)

                                

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (1,708 )     5,088       (2,103 )     8,193  

Less: reclassification adjustment on sale of affiliate investment

     —         —         —         (1,633 )

Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     (7,333 )     23,370       18,577       1,652  

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

     —         —         —         214  
    


 


 


 


       (9,041 )     28,458       16,474       8,426  

Income tax benefit (expense) related to other comprehensive income

     2,856       (9,114 )     (7,278 )     (728 )
    


 


 


 


       (6,185 )     19,344       9,196       7,698  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 78,719     $ 79,992     $ 153,526     $ 141,408  
    


 


 


 


 

4.


The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

    

June 27,

2004


   

December 28,

2003


 
(In thousands)    (unaudited)        

Assets

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 44,565     $ 87,437  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     11,488       2,623  

Accounts receivable, net

     343,286       328,816  

Inventories

     29,193       27,709  

Income taxes receivable

     —         5,318  

Other current assets

     41,639       43,933  
    


 


       470,171       495,836  

Property, plant and equipment

                

Buildings

     295,676       288,961  

Machinery, equipment and fixtures

     1,712,558       1,656,111  

Leasehold improvements

     112,108       102,753  
    


 


       2,120,342       2,047,825  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,164,473 )     (1,084,790 )
    


 


       955,869       963,035  

Land

     37,267       36,491  

Construction in progress

     70,518       56,104  
    


 


       1,063,654       1,055,630  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     259,535       245,335  

Investments in affiliates

     57,498       61,312  

Goodwill, net

     1,014,458       965,694  

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net

     487,872       486,656  

Amortized intangible assets, net

     6,675       5,226  

Prepaid pension cost

     534,735       514,801  

Deferred charges and other assets

     72,960       71,068  
    


 


     $ 3,967,558     $ 3,901,558  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 363,244     $ 339,239  

Deferred revenue

     189,811       164,014  

Dividends declared

     16,743       —    

Federal and state income taxes payable

     4,368       —    

Short-term borrowings

     75,519       208,620  
    


 


       649,685       711,873  

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     143,564       140,740  

Other liabilities

     220,411       235,169  

Deferred income taxes

     321,756       303,824  

Long-term debt

     429,401       422,471  
    


 


       1,764,817       1,814,077  

Redeemable preferred stock

     12,267       12,540  
    


 


Preferred stock

     —         —    
    


 


Common shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock

     20,000       20,000  

Capital in excess of par value

     176,018       166,951  

Retained earnings

     3,458,057       3,364,407  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

                

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     2,169       4,272  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     48,504       37,205  

Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury

     (1,514,274 )     (1,517,894 )
    


 


       2,190,474       2,074,941  
    


 


     $ 3,967,558     $ 3,901,558  
    


 


 

5.


The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     Twenty-six Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands)   

June 27,

2004


   

June 29,

2003


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 144,330     $ 133,710  

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

                

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     88,628       86,607  

Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles

     6,261       512  

Net pension benefit

     (20,087 )     (26,850 )

Early retirement program expense

     132       2,165  

Gain from sale of affiliate

     —         (49,762 )

Cost method and other investment write-downs

     677       1,112  

Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions

     2,069       8,166  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     10,689       5,667  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Increase in accounts receivable, net

     (6,756 )     (2,957 )

Increase in inventories

     (1,484 )     (3,847 )

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     22,621       7,263  

Increase in deferred revenue

     17,064       11,961  

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

     9,689       (5,857 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net

     (16,754 )     12,178  

Other

     (1,582 )     (1,637 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     255,497       178,431  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (92,487 )     (58,772 )

Investments in certain businesses

     (48,279 )     (77,692 )

Proceeds from the sale of business

     —         65,000  

Other investments

     —         (5,977 )

Other

     896       575  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (139,870 )     (76,866 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net repayment of commercial paper

     (126,936 )     (70,742 )

Principal payments on debt

     (8,305 )     (1,672 )

Dividends paid

     (33,932 )     (28,143 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     10,820       1,252  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (158,353 )     (99,305 )
    


 


Effect of currency exchange rate change

     (146 )     (235 )
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (42,872 )     2,025  

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     87,437       28,771  
    


 


Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 44,565     $ 30,796  
    


 


 

6.


The Washington Post Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Results of operations, when examined on a quarterly basis, reflect the seasonality of advertising that affects the newspaper, magazine and broadcasting operations. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters are typically higher than first and third quarter revenues. All adjustments reflected in the interim financial statements are of a normal recurring nature.

 

The Company generally reports on a 13 week fiscal quarter ending on the Sunday nearest the calendar quarter-end. With the exception of the newspaper publishing operations, subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-quarter basis.

 

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 presentation.

 

Note 1: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

 

In the second quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their higher education and professional divisions totaling $4.5 million, financed through cash and debt, with $0.3 million remaining to be paid. In addition, the cable division completed two small transactions for $1.8 million. In May 2004, the Company acquired El Tiempo Latino, a leading Spanish-language weekly newspaper in the greater Washington area.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million, financed through cash and debt. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill on a preliminary basis.

 

In the second quarter of 2003, Kaplan acquired two businesses in its higher education and professional divisions for a total of $17.5 million. In addition, the cable division acquired a system in North Dakota for $1.5 million.

 

In March 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the stock of Financial Training Company (FTC), for £55.3 million ($87.4 million). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia.

 

On January 1, 2003, the Company sold its 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune for $65 million and the Company recorded an after-tax non-operating gain of $32.3 million in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Note 2: Investments.

 

Investments in marketable equity securities at June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

June 27,

2004


  

December 28,

2003


Total cost

   $ 191,353    $ 186,954

Gross unrealized gains

     79,670      61,004
    

  

Total fair value

   $ 271,023    $ 247,958
    

  

 

There were no sales of marketable equity securities in the first six months of 2004 or 2003.

 

7.


At June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003, the carrying value of the Company’s cost method investments was $4.6 million and $9.6 million, respectively. In June 2004, one of the Company’s cost method investments went public and is now reported as a marketable equity security, recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded net of tax as a separate component of comprehensive income. The Company recorded charges of $0 and $0.7 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2004, respectively, to write-down certain of its investments to estimated fair value; for the same periods of 2003, the Company recorded charges of $0 and $1.1 million, respectively.

 

Note 3: Borrowings.

 

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

 

     June 27,
2004


    December 28,
2003


 

Commercial paper borrowings

   $ 61.4     $ 188.3  

5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009

     398.8       398.7  

4.0 percent notes due 2004-2006 (£13.2 million and £16.7 million at June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively)

     23.9       29.7  

Other indebtedness

     20.8       14.4  
    


 


Total

     504.9       631.1  

Less current portion

     (75.5 )     (208.6 )
    


 


Total long-term debt

   $ 429.4     $ 422.5  
    


 


 

The Company’s commercial paper borrowings at June 27, 2004 were at an average interest rate of 1.1% and mature through July 2004; the Company’s commercial paper borrowings at December 28, 2003 were at an average interest rate of 1.1% and matured through February 2004. During 2003, the notes of £16.7 million were issued to current FTC employees who were former FTC shareholders in connection with the acquisition. The noteholders, at their discretion, had the option of electing to receive 25% of their outstanding balance in January 2004. As a result, payments of $6.2 million were made in January 2004. In August 2004, 50% of the original outstanding balance (less the amount paid in January 2004) is due for payment. The remaining balance outstanding is due for repayment in August 2006. The Company’s other indebtedness at June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003 is at interest rates of 6% to 7% and matures from 2004 to 2009.

 

During the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $529.9 million and $633.2 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. During the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $6.4 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

During the first six months of 2004 and 2003, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $553.3 million and $617.4 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. During the first six months of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $12.9 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

 

Note 4: Business Segments.

 

The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments. The 2004 and 2003 asset information is as of June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

8.


Second Quarter Period

(in thousands)

 

2004


  Newspaper
Publishing


  Television
Broadcasting


  Magazine
Publishing


  Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

Operating revenues

  $ 233,979   $ 90,243   $ 91,047   $ 126,426     $ 276,696     $ —       $ 818,391  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 37,678   $ 43,706   $ 17,633   $ 25,197     $ 29,443     $ (7,657 )   $ 146,000  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                              (353 )

Interest expense, net

                                              (6,372 )

Other, net

                                              (71 )
                                             


Income before income taxes

                                            $ 139,204  
                                             


Depreciation expense

  $ 9,358   $ 2,808   $ 818   $ 24,923     $ 6,862     $ —       $ 44,769  

Amortization expense

  $ 4   $ —     $ —     $ 35     $ 3,842     $ —       $ 3,881  

Net pension credit

(expense)

  $ 627   $ 814   $ 9,084   $ (250 )   $ (363 )   $ —       $ 9,912  

Identifiable assets

  $ 681,321   $ 408,919   $ 542,166   $ 1,116,811     $ 883,689     $ 6,131     $ 3,639,037  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                              271,023  

Investments in affiliates

                                              57,498  
                                             


Total assets

                                            $ 3,967,558  
                                             


 

2003


  Newspaper
Publishing


  Television
Broadcasting


  Magazine
Publishing


  Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

Operating revenues

  $ 223,142   $ 81,825   $ 91,861   $ 114,552     $ 195,560     $ —       $ 706,940  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 37,030   $ 38,986   $ 12,404   $ 21,248     $ 3,527     $ (6,297 )   $ 106,898  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                              (5,524 )

Interest expense, net

                                              (6,200 )

Other, net

                                              2,274  
                                             


Income before income taxes

                                            $ 97,448  
                                             


Depreciation expense

  $ 10,451   $ 2,774   $ 929   $ 22,964     $ 6,094     $ —       $ 43,212  

Amortization expense

  $ 4   $ —     $ —     $ 37     $ 322     $ —       $ 363  

Net pension credit (expense)

  $ 1,792   $ 1,065   $ 8,998   $ (243 )   $ (352 )   $ —       $ 11,260  

Identifiable assets

  $ 673,631   $ 410,580   $ 533,305   $ 1,119,826     $ 845,983     $ 8,963     $ 3,592,288  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                              247,958  

Investments in affiliates

                                              61,312  
                                             


Total assets

                                            $ 3,901,558  
                                             


 

9.


Six Month Period

(in thousands)

 

2004


  Newspaper
Publishing


  Television
Broadcasting


  Magazine
Publishing


  Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

Operating revenues

  $ 452,804   $ 166,560   $ 175,589   $ 247,440     $ 534,967     $ —       $ 1,577,360  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 69,667   $ 74,981   $ 24,454   $ 47,839     $ 50,080     $ (16,104 )   $ 250,917  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                              (2,069 )

Interest expense, net

                                              (12,889 )

Other, net

                                              671  
                                             


Income before income taxes

                                            $ 236,630  
                                             


Depreciation expense

  $ 19,021   $ 5,551   $ 1,678   $ 49,177     $ 13,201     $ —       $ 88,628  

Amortization expense

  $ 8   $ —     $ —     $ 73     $ 6,180     $ —       $ 6,261  

Net pension credit (expense)

  $ 1,385   $ 1,628   $ 18,168   $ (500 )   $ (726 )   $ —       $ 19,955  

 

2003


  Newspaper
Publishing


  Television
Broadcasting


  Magazine
Publishing


  Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

Operating revenues

  $ 427,182   $ 152,577   $ 169,363   $ 224,920     $ 373,338     $ —       $ 1,347,380  

Income (loss) from operations

  $ 58,388   $ 65,333   $ 13,241   $ 42,010     $ 19,454     $ (12,436 )   $ 185,990  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                              (8,166 )

Interest expense, net

                                              (13,323 )

Other, net

                                              50,409  
                                             


Income before income taxes

                                            $ 214,910  
                                             


Depreciation expense

  $ 21,748   $ 5,520   $ 1,881   $ 45,677     $ 11,781     $ —       $ 86,607  

Amortization expense

  $ 8   $ —     $ —     $ 75     $ 429     $ —       $ 512  

Net pension credit (expense)

  $ 5,749   $ 2,130   $ 17,995   $ (485 )   $ (704 )   $ —       $ 24,685  

 

10.


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

 

The magazine publishing division consists of the publication of a weekly news magazine, Newsweek, which has one domestic and three international editions, the publication of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and the publication of business periodicals for the computer services industry and the Washington-area technology community.

 

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

 

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

 

Education products and services are provided through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kaplan, Inc. Kaplan’s businesses include supplemental education services, which is made up of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, providing test preparation services for college and graduate school entrance exams; Kaplan Professional, providing education and career services to business people and other professionals; and Score!, offering multi-media learning and private tutoring to children and educational resources to parents. Kaplan’s businesses also include higher education services, which includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including fixed facility colleges which offer Bachelor’s degrees, Associate’s degrees and diploma programs primarily in the fields of healthcare, business and information technology; and online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses, including kaplancollege.com).

 

Corporate office includes the expenses of the Company’s corporate office.

 

Note 5: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

 

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

 

11.


The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Gross

   Accumulated
Amortization


   Net

2004

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,312,860    $ 298,402    $ 1,014,458

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     651,678      163,806      487,872

Amortized intangible assets

     15,744      9,069      6,675
    

  

  

     $ 1,980,282    $ 471,277    $ 1,509,005
    

  

  

 

2003

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,264,096    $ 298,402    $ 965,694

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     650,462      163,806      486,656

Amortized intangible assets

     8,034      2,808      5,226
    

  

  

     $ 1,922,592    $ 465,016    $ 1,457,576
    

  

  

 

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the six months ended June 27, 2004 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

Goodwill, net

                                         

Beginning of year

   $ 71,277    $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 536,030    $ 965,694

Acquisitions

     1,390      —        —        —        46,491      47,881

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     —        —        —        —        883      883
    

  

  

  

  

  

Balance at June 27, 2004

   $ 72,667    $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 583,404    $ 1,014,458
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, net

                                   

Beginning of year

   —      —      —      $ 484,556    $ 2,100    $ 486,656

Acquisitions

   —      —      —        1,216      —        1,216
    
  
  
  

  

  

Balance at June 27, 2004

   —      —      —      $ 485,772    $ 2,100    $ 487,872
    
  
  
  

  

  

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Amortized intangible assets, net

                                          

Beginning of year

   $ 30     —      —      $ 1,081     $ 4,115     $ 5,226  

Acquisitions

     100     —      —        1,799       5,791       7,690  

Foreign currency ex-change rate changes

     —       —      —        —         20       20  

Amortization

     (8 )   —      —        (73 )     (6,180 )     (6,261 )
    


 
  
  


 


 


Balance at June 27, 2004

   $ 122     —      —      $ 2,807     $ 3,746     $ 6,675  
    


 
  
  


 


 


 

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the six-months ended June 29, 2003 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

 

Goodwill, net

                                            

Beginning of year

   $ 72,738     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 339,736    $ 770,861  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —        —        101,719      101,719  

Disposition

     (1,461 )     —        —        —        —        (1,461 )

Foreign currency ex-change rate changes

     —         —        —        —        3,829      3,829  
    


 

  

  

  

  


Balance at June 29, 2003

   $ 71,277     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 445,284    $ 874,948  
    


 

  

  

  

  


 

12.


     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, net

                                 

Beginning of year

   —      —      —      $ 482,419    —      $ 482,419

Acquisitions

   —      —      —        1,500    —        1,500
    
  
  
  

  
  

Balance at June 29, 2003

   —      —      —      $ 483,919    —      $ 483,919
    
  
  
  

  
  

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Amortized intangible assets, net

                                          

Beginning of year

   $ 45     —      —      $ 1,232     $ 876     $ 2,153  

Acquisitions

           —      —        —         4,391       4,391  

Amortization

     (8 )   —      —        (75 )     (429 )     (512 )
    


 
  
  


 


 


Balance at June 29, 2003

   $ 37     —      —      $ 1,157     $ 4,838     $ 6,032  
    


 
  
  


 


 


 

Note 6: Change in Accounting Method – Stock Options.

 

Effective the first day of the Company’s 2002 fiscal year, the Company adopted the fair-value-based method of accounting for Company stock options as outlined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). This change in accounting method was applied prospectively to all awards granted from the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2002 and thereafter. Stock options awarded prior to fiscal 2002 are accounted for under the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The following table presents what the Company’s results would have been had the fair values of options granted after 1995, but prior to 2002, been recognized as compensation expense in the second quarter and first six-months of 2004 and 2003 (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

     Quarter ended

    Six-months ended

 
    

June 27,

2004


   

June 29,

2003


   

June 27,

2004


   

June 29,

2003


 

Net income available for common shares, as reported

   $ 84,659     $ 60,390     $ 143,583     $ 132,935  

Add: Company stock option compensation expense included in net income, net of related tax effects

     123       87       246       173  

Deduct: Total Company stock option compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (854 )     (877 )     (1,708 )     (1,753 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income available for common shares

   $ 83,928     $ 59,600     $ 142,121     $ 131,355  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share, as reported

   $ 8.85     $ 6.34     $ 15.02     $ 13.95  

Pro forma basic earnings per share

   $ 8.78     $ 6.26     $ 14.87     $ 13.79  

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

   $ 8.82     $ 6.32     $ 14.98     $ 13.91  

Pro forma diluted earnings per share

   $ 8.75     $ 6.24     $ 14.82     $ 13.75  

 

13.


Note 7: Antidilutive Securities.

 

There were no antidilutive stock options outstanding during the second quarter and first six months of 2004. The second quarter and first six months of 2003 diluted earnings per share amount excludes the effects of 11,500 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 

Note 8: Kaplan Stock Option Plan.

 

The Company maintains a stock option plan at its Kaplan subsidiary that provides for the issuance of Kaplan stock options to certain members of Kaplan’s management. The fair value of Kaplan’s common stock is determined by the Company’s compensation committee of the Board of Directors. In September 2003, the committee set the fair value price of Kaplan common stock at $1,625 per share, which is determined after deducting intercompany debt from Kaplan’s enterprise value. Also in September 2003, the Company announced an offer totaling $138 million for approximately 55% of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The Company’s offer included a 10% premium over the current valuation price of Kaplan common stock of $1,625 per share; by the end of October 2003, 100% of the eligible stock options were tendered. The Company paid out $118.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 and the remainder of the payouts, related to 14,463 tendered stock options, will be made at the time of their scheduled vesting from 2004 to 2007 if the option holder is still employed at Kaplan. Additionally, stock compensation expense will be recorded on these remaining exercised options over the remaining vesting periods of 2004 to 2007. A small number of key Kaplan executives continue to hold the remaining 68,000 outstanding Kaplan stock options, with roughly half of these options expiring in 2007 and half expiring in 2011. The remaining 68,000 of outstanding Kaplan stock options represent 4.8% of Kaplan’s common stock at June 30, 2004. The Company does not expect to issue additional Kaplan stock options in the future.

 

The Company recorded expense of $8.0 million and $20.0 million for the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $17.8 million and $30.0 million for the first six months of 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to this plan.

 

Note 9: Pension and Postretirement Plans.

 

The total (income) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension for the second quarter and six months ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003 consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

 
     June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


    June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


 

Service cost

   $ 5,650     $ 4,861     $ 11,300     $ 9,723  

Interest cost

     9,051       8,205       18,102       16,410  

Expected return on assets

     (23,765 )     (23,404 )     (47,530 )     (46,807 )

Amortization of transition Asset

     (252 )     (533 )     (503 )     (1,066 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     1,181       1,016       2,363       2,032  

Recognized actuarial gain

     (1,909 )     (3,570 )     (3,819 )     (7,142 )
    


 


 


 


Net periodic (benefit) cost

     (10,044 )     (13,425 )     (20,087 )     (26,850 )

Early retirement program expense

     132       2,165       132       2,165  
    


 


 


 


Total benefit

   $ (9,912 )   $ (11,260 )   $ (19,955 )   $ (24,685 )
    


 


 


 


 

14.


The total (income) cost arising from the Company’s postretirement plans for the second quarter and six months ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003, consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

 
     June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


    June 27,
2004


    June 29,
2003


 

Service cost

   $ 1,231     $ 1,291     $ 2,462     $ 2,582  

Interest cost

     1,873       1,849       3,746       3,698  

Amortization of prior service cost

     (146 )     (90 )     (292 )     (180 )

Recognized actuarial gain

     (413 )     (419 )     (826 )     (838 )
    


 


 


 


Total cost

   $ 2,545     $ 2,631     $ 5,090     $ 5,262  
    


 


 


 


 

The expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.5% in 2004.

 

In December of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was enacted. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health benefit plans that provide a benefit that meets certain criteria. The Company’s other postretirement plans covering retirees currently provide certain prescription benefits to eligible participants. In accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003,” the Company has concluded that the Act is not significant to the Company’s other postretirement plans; therefore, the effects of the Act shall be incorporated in the December 31, 2004 measurement of plan obligations.

 

Note 10: Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) released Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires primary beneficiaries of Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) to consolidate those entities. In December 2003, the FASB published a revision of FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to defer the effective date of implementation for certain entities. Under the guidance of FIN 46R, entities that did not have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as SPEs are required to apply the provisions of the interpretation in financial statements for periods ending after March 14, 2004. Based on the provisions of FIN 46 and FIN 46R, the Company does not have any unconsolidated interests that are now required to be consolidated, and therefore, FIN 46 and FIN 46R did not have any impact on the Company in 2003 or 2004.

 

15.


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

 

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

 

Revenues and expenses in the first and third quarters are customarily lower than those in the second and fourth quarters because of significant seasonal fluctuations in advertising volume.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the second quarter of 2004 was $84.9 million ($8.82 per share), up from net income of $60.6 million ($6.32 per share) for the second quarter of last year.

 

Results for the second quarter of 2003 included an early retirement program charge at The Washington Post newspaper (after-tax impact of $1.3 million, or $0.14 per share).

 

Revenue for the second quarter of 2004 was $818.4 million, up 16% from $706.9 million in 2003. The increase in revenue is due mostly to significant revenue growth at the education division. Revenue at the Company’s cable, broadcast and newspaper publishing divisions also increased for the second quarter of 2004, while revenues were down slightly at the magazine publishing division.

 

Operating income was up 37% for the second quarter of 2004 to $146.0 million, from $106.9 million in 2003. The Company benefited from improved results at each of its operating divisions, particularly at the education division, offset by a reduced net pension credit.

 

For the first six months of 2004, net income totaled $144.3 million ($14.98 per share), compared with $133.7 million ($13.91 per share) for the same period of 2003. Results for the first six months of 2003 included an after-tax non-operating gain from the sale of the Company’s 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune (after-tax impact of $32.3 million, or $3.38 per share) and an early retirement program charge at The Washington Post newspaper (after-tax impact of $1.3 million, or $0.14 per share).

 

Revenue for the first half of 2004 was $1,577.4 million, up 17% over revenue of $1,347.4 million for the first six months of 2003. Operating income increased 35% to $250.9 million, from $186.0 million in 2003. Consistent with the Company’s results for the second quarter of 2004, the Company’s year-to-date results benefited from improved operating results at each of its operating divisions, particularly at the education division.

 

Excluding charges related to early retirement programs, the Company’s operating income for the second quarter and first six months of 2004 includes $10.0 million and $20.1 million of net pension credits, respectively, compared to $13.4 million and $26.9 million for the same periods of 2003. At December 28, 2003, the Company reduced its assumption on the discount rate from 6.75% to 6.25%. Overall, the pension credit for 2004 is expected to be down by approximately $14 million compared to 2003, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

 

Newspaper Publishing Division. Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $234.0 million for the second quarter of 2004, an increase of 5% from $223.1 million in the second quarter of 2003; division revenue increased 6% to $452.8 million for the first six months of 2004, from $427.2 million for the first six months of 2003. Division operating income for the second quarter increased 2% to $37.7 million, from

 

16.


$37.0 million in the second quarter of 2003; operating income increased 19% to $69.7 million for the first six months of 2004, compared to $58.4 million for the first six months of 2003. Second quarter operating results in 2004 reflect higher print and online advertising revenue, payroll savings from early retirement programs implemented at The Post in 2003, an 8% increase in newsprint expense at The Post, and a $3.2 million reduction in the net pension credit, excluding charges related to early retirement programs. Second quarter operating results in 2003 included a $2.2 million pre-tax early retirement program charge at The Washington Post newspaper and incremental costs associated with the war in Iraq. The increase in operating income for the first six months of 2004 is due to increased advertising revenue and cost control initiatives employed throughout the division, the early retirement program charge noted above, offset by a 7% increase in newsprint expense at The Post, and a $6.4 million reduction in the net pension credit, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

 

Print advertising revenue at The Washington Post newspaper in the second quarter increased 1% to $150.0 million, from $148.1 million in 2003, and increased 4% to $292.2 million for the first six months of 2004, from $280.6 million for the first six months of 2003. Classified recruitment advertising revenue was up 21% to $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2004, a $3.3 million increase compared to the second quarter of 2003. The increase in print advertising revenue for the first six months of 2003 is primarily due to increases in preprint, general and classified recruitment. Classified recruitment advertising revenue was up 20% to $38.6 million, a $6.5 million increase compared to the first half of 2003.

 

For the first six months of 2004, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year. For the six months ended June 27, 2004, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 721,100 and average Sunday circulation totaled 1,021,000.

 

Revenue generated by the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, increased 39% to $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2004, from $11.1 million in the second quarter of 2003; online revenues increased 40% to $28.8 million for the first six months of 2004, from $20.6 million in the first six months of 2003. Local and national online advertising revenues grew 61% and 62% for the second quarter and first six months of 2004, respectively. Online classified advertising revenue on washingtonpost.com increased 37% in the second quarter of 2004 and 41% for the first six months of 2004.

 

In May 2004, the Company announced the acquisition of El Tiempo Latino, a leading Spanish-language weekly newspaper in the greater Washington area. It is published on Friday of each week and has ABC-audited weekly free circulation of 34,000.

 

Television Broadcasting Division. Revenue for the television broadcasting division increased 10% in the second quarter of 2004 to $90.2 million, from $81.8 million in 2003, due primarily to $4.5 million in political advertising. For the first six months of 2004, revenue increased 9% to $166.6 million, from $152.6 million in 2003, due to $7.2 million in political advertising in the first half of 2004 and several days of commercial-free coverage in connection with the Iraq war in March 2003.

 

Operating income for the second quarter and first six months of 2004 increased 12% and 15%, respectively, to $43.7 million and $75.0 million, respectively, from $39.0 million and $65.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2003, respectively. The operating income increases are primarily related to the revenue growth discussed above.

 

Magazine Publishing Division. Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $91.0 million for the second quarter of 2004, a 1% decline from $91.9 million for the second quarter of 2003; division revenue totaled $175.6 million for the first six months of 2004, a 4% increase from $169.4 million for the first six months of

 

17.


2003. The revenue decrease for the second quarter was primarily due to the timing of the primary trade show of PostNewsweek Tech Media, which was in the first quarter of 2004 versus the second quarter of 2003. Advertising revenue at Newsweek increased 14% in the second quarter of 2004 due to increases in ad pages at both the domestic and international editions, despite one fewer issue of the international edition. Travel-related advertising revenues at the Pacific edition of Newsweek suffered in the second quarter of 2003 due to the SARS outbreak. The increase in revenues for the first six months of 2004 is primarily due to increased advertising revenue at Newsweek as a result of increased ad pages at the domestic and international editions, despite one fewer international edition issue in 2004.

 

Operating income totaled $17.6 million for the second quarter of 2004, a 42% increase from $12.4 million in the second quarter of 2003. The increase in operating income is primarily due to the increase in Newsweek advertising revenue and a reduction in subscription, manufacturing and distribution expenses at the international editions of Newsweek, offset by operating income from the primary trade show of PostNewsweek Tech Media in the second quarter of 2003. Operating income totaled $24.5 million for the first six months of 2004, up 85% from $13.2 million for the first six months of 2003. The year-to-date improvement in operating results is primarily attributable to increased advertising revenue and continued cost controls at Newsweek.

 

Cable Television Division. Cable division revenue of $126.4 million for the second quarter of 2004 represents a 10% increase over 2003 second quarter revenue of $114.6 million; for the first six months of 2004, revenue increased 10% to $247.4 million, from $224.9 million in 2003. The 2004 revenue increase is due to continued growth in the division’s cable modem and digital service revenues and a $2 monthly rate increase for basic cable service, effective March 1, 2004, at most of the cable division’s systems.

 

Cable division operating income for the second quarter of 2004 increased 19% to $25.2 million, from $21.2 million for the second quarter of 2003. The increase in operating income is due mostly to the division’s revenue growth, offset by higher depreciation and programming expenses and increases in internet costs. Cable division operating income for the first six months of 2004 increased 14% to $47.8 million, from $42.0 million for the first six months of 2003. The increase is due mostly to the division’s significant revenue growth, offset by higher depreciation and programming expenses, along with an increase in internet and employee benefits costs.

 

The increase in depreciation expense is due to significant capital spending in recent years that has enabled the cable division to offer digital and broadband cable services to its subscribers. At June 30, 2004, the cable division had approximately 220,400 digital cable subscribers, down slightly from 222,900 at December 31, 2003, but up from 203,900 at the end of June 2003. This represents a 31% penetration of the subscriber base. At June 30, 2004, the cable division had 152,300 CableONE.net service subscribers, compared to 106,600 at the end of June 2003. Both digital and cable modem services are now offered in virtually all of the cable division’s markets.

 

At June 30, 2004, the cable division had 711,900 basic subscribers, compared to 714,500 at the end of June 2003. The decrease is due to small losses associated with the basic rate increase discussed above.

 

At June 30, 2004, Revenue Generating Units (RGUs), as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories, totaled 1,084,600 compared to 1,025,400 as of June 30, 2003. The increase is due to an increase in the number of digital cable and high speed data customers. RGUs include about 7,000 subscribers who receive free basic cable service, primarily local governments, schools and other organizations as required by the various franchise agreements.

 

18.


Below are details of Cable division capital expenditures for the six months of 2004 and 2003, as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories (in millions):

 

     2004

   2003

Customer Premise Equipment

   $ 14.8    $ 7.4

Commercial

     —        0.1

Scaleable Infrastructure

     4.4      2.4

Line Extensions

     7.6      4.4

Upgrade/Rebuild

     7.0      14.5

Support Capital

     8.1      6.0
    

  

Total

   $ 41.9    $ 34.8
    

  

 

Education Division. Education division revenue totaled $276.7 million for the second quarter of 2004, a 41% increase over revenue of $195.6 million for the same period of 2003. Kaplan reported operating income for the second quarter of 2004 of $29.4 million, compared to $3.5 million in the second quarter of 2003. Approximately 27% of the increase in Kaplan revenue is from acquired businesses, primarily in the higher education division and the professional training schools that are part of supplemental education. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, education division revenue increased 30% for the second quarter of 2004. For the first six months of 2004, education division revenue totaled $535.0 million, a 43% increase over revenue of $373.3 million for the same period of 2003. Kaplan reported operating income of $50.1 million for the first six months of 2004, compared to $19.5 million for the first six months of 2003. Approximately 41% of the increase in Kaplan revenue is from acquired businesses, primarily in the higher education division and the professional training schools that are part of supplemental education. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, education division revenue increased 26% for the first six months of 2004. A summary of operating results for the second quarter and the first six months of 2004 compared to 2003 is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

   Second Quarter

    YTD

 
     2004

    2003

    %
Change


    2004

    2003

    %
Change


 

Revenue

                                            

Supplemental education

   $ 143,410     $ 115,708     24     $ 279,010     $ 213,890     30  

Higher education

     133,286       79,852     67       255,957       159,448     61  
    


 


 

 


 


 

     $ 276,696     $ 195,560     41     $ 534,967     $ 373,338     43  
    


 


 

 


 


 

Operating income (loss)

                                            

Supplemental education

   $ 25,102     $ 21,643     16     $ 45,694     $ 40,195     14  

Higher education

     23,343       9,099     157       43,515       24,021     81  

Kaplan corporate overhead

     (7,213 )     (6,893 )   (5 )     (15,190 )     (14,333 )   (6 )

Other*

     (11,789 )     (20,322 )   42       (23,939 )     (30,429 )   21  
    


 


 

 


 


 

     $ 29,443     $ 3,527     735     $ 50,080     $ 19,454     157  
    


 


 

 


 


 


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

 

Supplemental education includes Kaplan’s test preparation, professional training and Score! businesses. A large portion of the increase in supplemental education revenue for the first six months of 2004 is from Financial Training Company (FTC), which was acquired in March 2003. Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia. However, FTC’s business is seasonal and while FTC’s operating income improved in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the prior year, FTC typically incurs an operating loss in the first quarter of the year; therefore, supplemental education operating income comparisons for the first six months of 2004 were adversely affected by FTC. The improvement in supplemental education results for 2004 is due to increased enrollment at Kaplan’s

 

19.


traditional test preparation business (particularly the SAT/PSAT) and increases from the professional real estate courses. Score! also contributed to the improved revenue and operating results due to higher rates and nine new centers compared to 2003. Score! experienced a small decrease in enrollments during the first six months of 2004.

 

Higher education includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including fixed-facility colleges as well as online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses). Higher education results are showing significant growth, due to student enrollment increases and several acquisitions.

 

Corporate overhead represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.’s corporate office.

 

Other expense is comprised of accrued charges for stock-based incentive compensation arising from a stock option plan established for certain members of Kaplan’s management and amortization of certain intangibles. Under the stock-based incentive plan, the amount of compensation expense varies directly with the estimated fair value of Kaplan’s common stock and the number of options outstanding. For the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded expense of $8.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, and $17.8 million and $30.0 million for the first six months of 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to this plan. The stock compensation expense for the first six months of 2003 was based on stock options outstanding before the third quarter 2003 buyout offer for approximately 55% of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The stock compensation expense in 2004 is based on the remaining Kaplan stock options held by a small number of Kaplan executives after the 2003 buyout.

 

Equity in Losses of Affiliates. The Company’s equity in losses of affiliates for the second quarter of 2004 was $0.4 million, compared to losses of $5.5 million for the second quarter of 2003. For the first six months of 2004, the Company’s equity in losses of affiliates totaled $2.1 million, compared to losses of $8.2 million for the same period of 2003. The Company’s affiliate investments consist of a 49 percent interest in BrassRing LLC and a 49 percent interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited. The reduction in affiliate losses for 2004 is attributable to improved operating results at both BrassRing and Bowater.

 

On January 1, 2003, the Company sold its 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune for $65 million and the Company recorded an after-tax non-operating gain of $32.3 million in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Other Non-Operating Income. The Company recorded other non-operating expense, net, of $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2004, compared to $2.3 million of other non-operating income, net, in the second quarter of 2003. The 2003 non-operating income, net, is primarily related to foreign currency gains.

 

The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $0.7 million for the first six months of 2004, compared to other non-operating income, net, of $50.4 million for the same period of the prior year. The 2003 non-operating income, net, is comprised mostly of a $49.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Company’s 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune.

 

20.


A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 2004 and June 29, 2003, follows (in millions):

 

     2004

    2003

 

Gain on sale of interest in IHT

   $       $ 49.8  

Impairment write-downs on cost method and other investments

     (0.7 )     (1.1 )

Gain on cable system trade

     0.5       —    

Foreign currency gains, net

     0.9       0.8  

Other gains

     —         0.9  
    


 


Total

   $ 0.7     $ 50.4  
    


 


 

Net Interest Expense. The Company incurred net interest expense of $6.4 million and $12.9 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2004, respectively, compared to $6.2 million and $13.3 million for the same periods of 2003. At June 27, 2004, the Company had $504.9 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.9%.

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2004 was 39.0%, compared to 37.8% for the same periods of 2003. The 2003 rate benefited from the 35.1% effective tax rate applicable to the one-time gain arising from the sale of the Company’s interest in the International Herald Tribune.

 

Earnings Per Share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the second quarter and first six months of 2004 was based on 9,596,000 and 9,588,000 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, compared to 9,555,000 and 9,554,000, respectively, for the second quarter and first six months of 2003. The Company made no significant repurchases of its stock during the first half of 2004.

 

Financial Condition: Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Acquisitions. In the second quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired two businesses in their higher education and professional divisions, totaling $4.5 million, financed through cash and debt, with $0.3 million remaining to be paid. In addition, the cable division completed two small transactions for $1.8 million. In May 2004, the Company acquired El Tiempo Latino, a leading Spanish-language weekly newspaper in the greater Washington area.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million, financed through cash and debt. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill on a preliminary basis.

 

In the second quarter of 2003, Kaplan acquired two businesses in its higher education and professional divisions for a total of $17.5 million. In addition, the cable division acquired a system in North Dakota for $1.5 million.

 

In March 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the stock of Financial Training Company (FTC), for £55.3 million ($87.4 million). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia.

 

Capital expenditures. During the first six months of 2004, the Company’s capital expenditures totaled $92.5 million. The Company estimates that its capital expenditures will be in the range of $200 million to $225 million in 2004.

 

21.


Liquidity. Throughout the first six months of 2004, the Company’s borrowings, net of repayments, decreased by $126.2 million, with the decrease primarily due to cash flows from operations, offset in part by borrowings for acquisitions.

 

At June 27, 2004, the Company had $504.9 million in total debt outstanding, which comprised $61.4 million of commercial paper borrowings, $398.8 million of 5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009, and $44.7 million in other debt.

 

During the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $529.9 million and $633.2 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. During the second quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $6.4 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

During the first six months of 2004 and 2003 the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $553.3 million and $617.4 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. During the first six months of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $12.9 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

 

At June 29, 2004 and December 28, 2003, the Company has a working capital deficit of $179.5 million and $216.0 million, respectively. The Company maintains working capital levels consistent with its underlying business requirements and consistently generates cash from operations in excess of required interest or principal payments. The Company has classified all of its commercial paper borrowing obligations as a current liability at June 27, 2004 and December 28, 2003 as the Company intends to pay down commercial paper borrowings from operating cash flow. However, the Company continues to maintain the ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis through new debt issuance and/or its revolving credit facility agreements.

 

The Company expects to fund its estimated capital needs primarily through internally generated funds and, to a lesser extent, commercial paper borrowings. In management’s opinion, the Company will have ample liquidity to meet its various cash needs throughout 2004.

 

As noted above, the Company’s borrowings have declined by $126.2 million, to $504.9 million, as compared to borrowings of $631.1 million at December 28, 2003. In the second quarter of 2004, the Company entered into a building lease and other commitments aggregating about $45.0 million from 2004 through 2014. There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or other commercial commitments from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For more information about these forward-looking statements and related risks, please refer to the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003.

 

22.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer) and the Company’s Vice President-Finance (the Company’s principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), as of June 27, 2004. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President-Finance have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

23.


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

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

 

At the Company’s May 13, 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders elected each of the nominees named in the Company’s proxy statement dated March 26, 2004 to its Board of Directors. The voting results are set forth below:

 

Class A Directors


              

Nominee


   Votes For

  

Votes

Withheld


   Broker
Non-Votes


Warren E. Buffett

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

Barry Diller

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

George J. Gillespie, III

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

Donald E. Graham

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

Richard D. Simmons

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

George W. Wilson

   1,722,250    -0-    -0-

 

Class B Directors


              

Nominee


   Votes For

  

Votes

Withheld


  

Broker

Non-Votes


John L. Dotson Jr.

   6,930,752    28,373    -0-

Ronald L. Olson

   6,849,944    109,181    -0-

Alice M. Rivlin

   6,846,246    112,879    -0-

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report:

 

Exhibit
Number


 

Description


3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated November 13, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003).
3.2   Certificate of Designation for the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock dated September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
3.3   By-Laws of the Company as amended and restated through September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
4.1   Form of the Company’s 5.50% Notes due February 15, 2009, issued under the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).

 

24.


4.2   Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).
4.3   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 2003, among WP Company LLC, the Company and Bank One, NA, as successor to The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between The Washington Post Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
4.4   364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2003, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, Bank One, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
4.5   5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, Bank One, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2002).
4.6   Consent and Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 13, 2003, to the 5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A. and the other lenders that are parties to such Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
11   Calculation of earnings per share of common stock.
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

(b) The following report on Form 8-K was filed during the quarter for which this report is filed:

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2004, reporting under Item 7 the Company’s first quarter earnings and including as an exhibit the Company’s press release dated April 30, 2004.

 

25.


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
    (Registrant)

Date: July 30, 2004

 

/s/ Donald E. Graham


    Donald E. Graham,
    Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: July 30, 2004

 

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


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

 

26.

Calculation of earnings per share of common stock.

Exhibit 11

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

CALCULATION OF EARNINGS

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

(In thousands of shares)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

     June 27,
2004


   June 29,
2003


   June 27,
2004


   June 29,
2003


Number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at beginning of period

     9,550      9,526      9,542      9,511

Issuance of shares of Class B common stock (weighted), net of forfeiture of restricted stock awards

     13      1      15      16
    

  

  

  

Shares used in the computation of basic earnings per common share

     9,563      9,527      9,557      9,527

Adjustment to reflect dilution from common stock equivalents

     33      28      31      27
    

  

  

  

Shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per common share

     9,596      9,555      9,588      9,554
    

  

  

  

Net income available for common shares

   $ 84,659    $ 60,390    $ 143,583    $ 132,935
    

  

  

  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 8.85    $ 6.34    $ 15.02    $ 13.95
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 8.82    $ 6.32    $ 14.98    $ 13.91
    

  

  

  

Section 302 CEO Certification

Exhibit 31.1

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonable likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

July 30, 2004

Section 302 CFO Certification

Exhibit 31.2

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

July 30, 2004

Section 906 CEO Certification

Exhibit 32.1

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 27, 2004 (the “Report”), I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

July 30, 2004

Section 906 CFO Certification

Exhibit 32.2

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 27, 2004 (the “Report”), I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

July 30, 2004