Q4 2023 DallasNews Corp Earnings Call

Operator: Your conference will begin momentarily. Please continue to hold. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Dallas News Corporation investor call. At this time, all phone participants are in listen-only mode. You may queue up with questions at any time during the presentation by pressing 1 then 0 on your phone's keypad, and your questions will be taken during the question and answer session following the presentation.

I'm entirely please continue to hold.

Yeah.

Okay.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the Dallas News Corporation Investor call.

Time, all phone participants are in listen only mode. You make you up with questions at any time during the presentation by pressing one then zero on your phone's keypad and your questions will be taken during the question and answer session. Following the presentation.

Operator: As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded, and at this time, I'd like to turn the conference call over to your hosts, Vice President, and controllers. Good morning, everyone. This is Gary Cobleigh, Vice President and Controller of Dallas News Corporation. Welcome to our fourth quarter and full year 2023 investment. I'm joined by Katie Murray, President and Chief Financial Officer, who will be reviewing financial results, and Grant Moise, Chief Executive Officer, who will provide brief business remarks. Yesterday afternoon, we issued a press release announcing fourth quarter and full year 2023 results and filed our 2023 10-K. Both of these are posted on our website, dallasnewscorporation.com, under the Investor Relations section. Unless otherwise specified, comparisons used on today's call measure fourth quarter and full year 2023 performance against fourth quarter and full year 2022 performance. Our discussion today will include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.

As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded.

This time I would like to turn the conference call over to your host Vice President and controller, Mr. Gary Copley. Please go ahead Sir.

Good morning, everyone.

This is Gerry Connolly, Vice President and controller of Dallas News Corporation, welcome to our fourth quarter and full year 2023 investor call.

I'm joined by Katie Murray, President and Chief Financial Officer, who will be reviewing financial results and grant Louise Chief Executive Officer, who will provide brief business remarks.

Yesterday afternoon, we issued a press release announcing fourth quarter and full year 2023 results and filed our 2023 10-K.

Both of these are posted on our website Dallas News Corporation Dot com under the Investor Relations section.

Unless otherwise specified comparisons used on todays call measure fourth quarter and full year 2023 performance against fourth quarter and full year 2022 performance.

Our discussion today will include forward looking statements forward looking statements are subject to risks uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.

Gary Cobleigh: The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication except as otherwise required by law. Additional information about these factors is detailed in the company's press releases and publicly available filings with the FCC. Today's discussion will include non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to assist investors in determining performance comparisons to our peers. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included with our press release. I'll now turn the call over to Kate.

The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional information about these factors is detailed in the company's press releases and publicly available filings with the SEC.

Today's discussion will include non-GAAP financial measures, we believe that non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to assist investors in determining performance comparisons to our peers.

Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included with our press release.

I'll now turn the call over to Katy.

Mary Kathryn Murray: Good morning everyone, and thank you for joining today's call. I'm going to begin by reviewing the fourth quarter financial results, and then I will discuss the full year results. On a gap basis for the quarter, Dallas News Corporation reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.41 per share, and an operating loss of $2.5 million, which includes $2.7 million related to a previously announced voluntary severance program that closed in the fourth quarter. Excluding the severance impact, Dallas News would have reported $200,000 operating income in the quarter. In Q4 last year, we reported a net loss of $2.1 million and an operating loss of $1.9 million. On a non-GAAP basis for the quarter, we reported adjusted operating income of $600,000, an improvement of $1.6 million compared to an adjusted operating loss of $1 million reported for the same period last year.

Good morning, everyone and thank you for joining today's call.

I'm going to begin by reviewing fourth quarter financial results and then follow with the full year results.

A GAAP basis for the quarter.

<unk> Corporation reported a net loss of $2 2 million or <unk> 41 per share and an operating loss of $2 5 million, which includes $2 $7 million related to previously announced voluntary severance program that closed in the fourth quarter.

Excluding the severance impact Dallas News would have reported $200000 operating income in the quarter.

In Q4 last year, we reported a net loss of $2 1 million and an operating loss of $1 9 million.

On a non-GAAP basis for the quarter, we reported adjusted operating income of $600000, an improvement of $1 6 million compared to an adjusted operating loss of 1 million reported for the same period last year.

Mary Kathryn Murray: The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $6.7 million, with the greatest reductions in distribution and employee compensation and benefits, partially offset by a total revenue decline of $5.1 million. We reported $34 million of total revenue for the quarter. This compares to $39.1 million last year. The year-over-year decline is primarily due to a $5.3 million, or 45.6%, reduction in print advertising revenue, primarily resulting from the decision to end our shared mail program to deliver weekly preprints and inserts on August 31. After accounting for this decline, core print advertising was down 5.1% year over year.

The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $6 7 million with the greatest reductions in distribution and employee compensation and benefits, partially offset by a total revenue decline of $5 1 million.

We reported $34 million of total revenue for the quarter. This compares to $39 1 million last year.

The year over year decline is primarily due to a $5 3 million or 45, 6% reduction in print advertising revenue, primarily resulting from the decision to end our shared mail program to deliver weekly prevents an insert on August 31.

After accounting for this decline core print advertising was down five 1% year over year.

Mary Kathryn Murray: Circulation revenue increased $500,000 when compared to last year, which included $230,000 from single copy sales celebrating the Texas Rangers winning the World Series. Digital Only Subscription revenue increased $1.2 million or 34.1%, partially offset by a print circulation decline of $600,000 or 4.8%. On a non-GAAP basis, total adjusted operating expense for the quarter was $33.4 million, an improvement of $6.7 million when compared to the same period last year, driven by expense savings of $3.1 million in distribution, $1.6 million in employee compensation and benefits, $1.1 million in newsprint, and $600,000 in outside services.

Circulation revenue increased 500000, when compared to last year, which in which includes 230000 from single copy sales celebrating the Texas Rangers, winning the World series digital.

Digital only subscription revenue increased $1 2 million or 34, 1% partially offset.

Partially offset by a print circulation decline.

At 600000 or four 8%.

On a non-GAAP basis total adjusted operating expense for the quarter was $33 4 million an improvement of $6 7 million when compared to the same period last year.

Driven by expense savings of $3 1 million in distribution $1 6 million in employee compensation and benefits.

$1 1 million in newsprint and 600000 in outside services.

Mary Kathryn Murray: The expense reduction is primarily, again, the result of the discontinuation of the Shared Mail program and print-only editions of our niche publications, Aldea and Briefing, at the end of August of last year. Turning to full-year results on a gap basis, we reported a net loss of $7.1 million, or $1.33 per share, and an operating loss of $8 million, which included severance expense of $3.8 million. For 2022, we reported a gap net loss of $9.8 million and an operating loss of $9 million, which included severance expense of $800,000.

The extended production is primarily again the result of the discontinuation of the shared mail program and friendly additions of our niche publications al Dia and briefing at the end of August of last year.

Turning to full year results on a GAAP basis, we reported a net loss of $7 1 million or one point.

$1 33 per share and an operating loss of $8 million, which include severance expense of $3 8 million.

For 2022, we reported a GAAP net loss of $9 8 million and an operating loss of $9 million.

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Which include severance expense of $800000.

Mary Kathryn Murray: On a non-GAAP basis for the year, we reported an adjusted operating loss of $2.7 million, an improvement of $2.6 million when compared to an adjusted operating loss of $5.3 million for the year 2022. The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $13.5 million, with the greatest reductions in distribution costs outside services and newsprint, partially offset by a total revenue decline of $11 million. The $7 million expense savings and distribution and total revenue decline of $11 million again are primarily the result of the discontinuation of the shared mail program and the print-only addition. We reported $139.7 million in total revenue for the year, and this compares to $150.7 million last year. The year-over-year decline is primarily due to a print advertising decline of $9.8 million, again driven by the discontinuation of the shared mail program and print-only editions of our niche publications. Digital advertising and marketing services revenue declined $900,000, or 3.5%, primarily due to a decline in marketing services revenue, partially offset by an increase in digital advertising on Dallasnews.com and in our digital replica.

On a non-GAAP basis for the year, we reported an adjusted operating loss of $2 7 million, an improvement of $2 6 million when compared to an adjusted operating loss of $5 3 million for the year 2022.

The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $13 5 million with the greatest reductions in distribution costs outside services and newsprint, partially offset by a total revenue decline of $11 million the.

The $7 million expense savings in distribution in total revenue decline of 11 million again are primarily the result of the discontinuation of the shared mail program and the print only additions.

We reported $139 7 million of total revenue for the year and this compares to $150 7 million last year.

The year over year decline is primarily due to a print advertising decline of $9 8 million.

Again, driven by the discontinuation of the shared mail program and print only additions of our niche publications.

Digital advertising and marketing services revenue declined 900000, or three 5% primarily due to a decline in marketing services revenue, partially offset by an increase in digital advertising on Dallas News Dot com and in our digital replica.

Mary Kathryn Murray: Circulation Revenue increased $200,000. This is the third consecutive year of year-over-year growth, again helped by Ranger single copy sales. As of December 31st, the News had 63,000 digital-only subscribers, a decrease of 5,010, or 7.4% compared to last year. The decline in digital subscribers is the result of the company's specific focus on balancing volume and price.

Circulation circulation revenue increased $200000. This is the third consecutive year of year over year growth again helped by Ranger single copy sales.

As of December 31, the news had 63000 digital only subscribers a decrease of 5010 or seven 4% compared to last year. The decline in digital subscribers is the result of the company's specific focus on balancing volume and price.

Mary Kathryn Murray: Total subscribers, including both home delivery and digital subscribers, were 132,694 as of December 31, and this compares to 146,583 as of December 31st, 2022. A quarterly summary of historical print and digital subscriptions, also known as memberships, is saved on our website under the Investor Relations section. Other revenue decreased $500,000 or 3.1% compared to last year, and this is primarily due to reductions in revenue from commercial printing and distribution.

Total subscribers, including both home delivery and digital subscribers with 132694 as of December 31.

And this compares to 146583 as of December 31 of 2022.

A quarterly summary of historical print and digital subscriptions also known as memberships saved on our website under the Investor Relations section.

Other revenue decreased $500000 or three 1% compared to last year and these are primarily due to reductions in revenue from commercial printing and distribution.

Mary Kathryn Murray: On a non-GAAP basis, total adjusted operating expense for the year was $142.4 million, an improvement of $13.5 million, or 8.7 percent, when compared to $155.9 million of adjusted operating expense last year. The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $7 million in distribution, again resulting from the changes in our shared mail program, $2.2 million in outside services, $2.2 million in newsprint, $600,000 in employee comp and benefits, and $800,000 in property rental. Newsprint expense was favorable year-over-year as a result of lower circulation and the discontinuation of print-only editions of Aldea and Briefing. The newsprint purchase price has continued to trend favorably. As of the end of the year, the average newsprint inventory cost per metric ton was $687, and this compares to $829 per metric ton in 2022, a decrease of $142, or 17.1%.

On a non-GAAP basis total adjusted operating expense for the year was $142 4 million, an improvement of $13 5 million or eight 7% when compared to 150 $955 9 million.

Adjusted operating expense last year.

The improvement is primarily due to expense savings of $7 million in distribution again, resulting from the changes in our shared mail program $2 2 million in outside services $2 2 million in newsprint $600000 in employee comp and Ben and $800000 in property rental.

Newsprint expenses favorable year over year as a result of lower circulation and discontinuing print only additions of al Dia and briefing. The newsprint purchase price has continued to trend favorably as of the end of the year average newsprint inventory cost per metric ton was $687 and this compares to 829.

Per metric ton.

In 2022, a decrease of $142 or 17, 1%.

Mary Kathryn Murray: And I'm pleased to say we are continuing to see favorable pricing so far in 2024. As of December 31st, our headcount was 601, down 62 compared to last year. As of the end of February, we had 546 employees, which reflects the departure of most of the 58 employees who elected to participate in the Voluntary Severance Program offered last fall and left the company on January 1st. Cash, along with short-term investments, was $22.5 million as of December 31st, and as of March 1st, cash was $19 million. For the year, the company recorded $464,000 in tax expense.

I'm pleased to say, we are continuing to see favorable pricing so far in 2024.

As of December 31st head Count with 601 down 62 compared to last year as of the end of February we had 546 employees, which reflects the departure of most of the 58 employees who elected to participate in the voluntary severance program offered and offered last fall and left the company on January one.

Cash along with short term investments was $22 5 million as of December 31, and as of March 1st cash was $19 million.

For the year. The company recorded 464000 of tax expense, we expect cash taxes to be approximately $580000 in 2024, primarily related to the Texas franchise tax.

Mary Kathryn Murray: We expect cash taxes to be approximately $580,000 in 2024, primarily related to the Texas franchise. As of December 31, 2023, the company had $54.2 million in federal net operating loss carry forward. $17.5 million expires in 2037, and $36.7 million does not have any expiration.

As of December 31, 2023, the company had $54 2 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards.

$17 5 million expires in 2037, and $36 $7 million does not have any exploration.

Grant S. Moise: In regards to our pension plan, we do not expect to have any mandatory contributions in 2024 or in 2025. We are pleased with the progress the company made this year toward our long-term strategy, and we were right in line with how we expected to end the year. We remain in a good position on our balance sheet and are encouraged by what we are seeing so far in 2024. I will now turn the call over to Grant. Thank you, Katie. Reflecting on 2023, I was pleased with our progress in improving our adjusted operating income. The year was highlighted by exceptional journalism, a strong year of digital subscription revenue growth, and a disciplined approach to managing the decline of the print business.

In regards to our pension plan, we do not expect to have any mandatory contributions.

In 2024 or in 2025.

We are pleased with the progress the company made this year toward our long term strategy and we were right in line with how we expected to end the year.

We remain in a good position on our balance sheet and are encouraged by what we're seeing so far in 2024, I will now turn the call over to grant.

Thank you Katie reflecting on 2023 I was pleased with our progress in improving our adjusted operating income a year was highlighted by exceptional journalism, a strong year of digital subscription revenue growth and a disciplined approach to managing the decline of the print business.

Grant S. Moise: Starting with our journalism, our year was highlighted by two strong series that framed important issues facing North Texans. First, our newsroom created a 30-day series in September entitled Deadly Take, which highlighted the threat of fentanyl in our community and helped inform North Texans about the threat of this deadly drug. Second, our editorial board focused on a six-part series throughout the year called The Unraveling of Latin America, where we helped North Texans understand the root causes of the immigration problems on our southern border.

Starting with our journalism our year was highlighted by two strong series framed important issues facing north Texans.

First our newsroom created a 30 day series in September entitled Deadweight.

Which highlighted the threat of Fresno, and our community and helped inform north Texans about the threat of this deadly drug.

Second our editorial board focused on our six part series throughout the year that was called the Unraveling of Latin America, where we helped more Texans understand the root causes of the immigration problems on our southern border. This.

Grant S. Moise: This outstanding journalism largely contributed to what Katie referred to as our third consecutive year of membership revenue growth. Because we remain committed to pricing our digital membership at a premium rate. Last, I'm proud of our Medium Giant team's discipline when we chose to exit the shared mail business in August of last year. Medium Giant continues to offer advertisers the products and services they value most, and it was clear from the rapid decline in our shared mail revenue that advertisers no longer saw value in this product offering.

This outstanding journalism, largely contributed to what Katie referred to is our third consecutive year of membership revenue growth because we remain committed to pricing our digital membership at a premium rate.

Laughs I'm proud of our medium giant team's discipline when we chose to exit the shared mail business in August of last year medium giant continues to offer advertisers the products and services they value most and it was clear from the rapid decline in our shared mail revenue that advertisers no longer saw value in this product offering.

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Grant S. Moise: Looking ahead to 2024, we recently added Chris Pathiger to our team as the company's chief product and innovation officer. We brought Chris on board to enhance our digital product offering and build new digital products to reach new audiences. We are in the early stages of Chris's work, but our goal is to expand our product portfolio to reach new audiences and provide new sources of revenue growth for the company.

Looking ahead to 2024, we've recently added Chris <unk> to our team as the company's chief product and innovation Officer, We brought Chris on board to enhance our digital product offering and build new digital products to reach new audiences.

We are in the early stages of Christmas work, but our goal is to expand our product portfolio to reach new audiences and provide new sources of revenue growth for the company.

Operator: John, we will now open it up to questions. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd like to ask a question, please press 1 then 0 on your phone's keypad. You'll hear a tone indicating you've been placed in queue. Pressing 1-0 a second time will remove you from the queue. Once again, for questions, please press 1-0. We have no callers queued up with questions.

John We will now open it up to questions.

Yes.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, if you would like to ask a question. Please press one then zero on your phone's keypad.

I agree with Tony indicating you replaced in Q1 zero second time move you from the Q O Q week for your name to be called once again for questions. Please present, one zero at this time.

Okay.

Well, we have no callers queuing up with questions.

Operator: All right. Well, John, thank you very much for your assistance this morning. Everyone who has joined us, thank you again for listening to our fourth quarter and full year 2023 results. And we look forward to updating everyone with our progress on our first quarter of 2024 earnings call, which will be held sometime in the second quarter. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude your conference call for today. We do thank you for your participation and for using AT&T event conferencing. We're sorry; your conference is ending now. Please hang up.

Alright, well John well. Thank you very much for your assistance. This morning, everyone, who has joined thank you again.

We're listening to our fourth quarter and full year 2023 results and we look forward to updating everyone with our progress on our first quarter of 2024 earnings call, which will be handled sometime in the second quarter. Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen that does conclude your conference call for today, we do thank you for your participation and for using AT&T conferencing you may now disconnect.

We're sorry your conferences ending now please hang up.