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Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 4th Quarter and Year End 2019 Results

Published: 2020-03-12 13:00:00 ET
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GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., March 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGA) today reported net revenue of $31.8 million for the quarter compared to $32.9 million for the same quarter last year.  Gross revenue was approximately flat with last year for the quarter at $33.7 million net of political revenue of $535 thousand this quarter and $1.6 million for the same period last year.  Station operating expense decreased $711 thousand to $23.1 million and operating income decreased $575 thousand to $5.4 million.  Net Income decreased $454 thousand to $3.8 million for the quarter.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.64/share in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $0.72/share during the same period in 2018.  Primarily due to a $460 thousand reduction in the Company's deferred tax provision free cash flow was $5.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to $5.9 million for the same period last year. 

Gross Revenue was flat with last year for the twelve-month period at $131.5 million net of political revenue of $887 thousand this year and $2.9 million for the same period last year.   Net revenue decreased $1.8 million to $123.1 million. Station operating expense decreased $1.0 million to $92.7 million and operating income decreased $874 thousand to $18.8 million.  Net income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019 was $13.3 million compared to $13.7 million for the same period last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $2.23/share for the twelve-month period in 2019 compared to $2.30/share during the same period in 2018.  Primarily due to a $1.2 million reduction in the Company's deferred tax provision free cash flow was $18.1 million compared to $19.5 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019

The Company had $44.0 million in cash on hand as of December 31, 2019 and $47.0 million as of March 9, 2020.  The Company's total bank debt was $10 million as of the end of the year.  Including the recently announced $0.32 per share dividend which will be paid on April 10, 2020, the Company will have paid over $71 million in dividends since December 3, 2012.

Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter were $1.1 million compared to $1.5 million for the same period last year.  For the twelve-month period capital expenditures were $5.7 million compared to $5.9 million last year.  The Company expects to spend approximately $5.0 – 5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2020.

Saga's 2019 4th Quarter conference call will be on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.  The dial-in number for the call is 973/528-0008.  Enter conference code 648752.  A transcript of the call will be posted to the Company's website as soon as it is available after the call.  

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company to please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. EDT on March 12, 2020 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing will be discussed during the call.

The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose "actual", "same station", and "proforma" information as well as the Company's trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA.  The "actual" amounts reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period.  The "same station" amounts reflect only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The "proforma" amounts assume all acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 occurred as of January 1, 2018.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance.  Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, free cash flow, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and consolidated net leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position.  Saga's management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value.  These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated and Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Key risks, including risks associated with Saga's ability to effectively integrate the stations it acquires and the impact of federal regulation on Saga's business, are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Readers should note that these statements may be impacted by several factors, including national and local economic changes and changes in the radio broadcast industry in general, as well as Saga's actual performance.  Results may vary from those stated herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update the information contained here.

Saga is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties.  Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM radio stations, 34 AM radio stations and 77 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For The Three and Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended  

 Twelve Months Ended  

 December 31, 

 December 31, 

2019

2018

2019

2018

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$         31,791

$        32,938

$       123,072

$        124,829

Station operating expense

23,050

23,761

92,692

93,727

Corporate general and administrative

3,281

3,154

11,460

11,359

Other operating expense 

26

14

112

61

Operating income

5,434

6,009

18,808

19,682

Interest expense

163

229

735

946

Interest income

(125)

(187)

(610)

(631)

Other (income) expense, net

(5)

2

(16)

(23)

Income before income tax expense

5,401

5,965

18,699

19,390

Income tax expense 

1,560

1,670

5,420

5,700

Net income

$           3,841

$          4,295

$         13,279

$         13,690

Basic earnings per share

$             0.64

$           0.72

$             2.23

$             2.30

Diluted earnings per share

$             0.64

$           0.72

2.23

2.30

Weighted average common shares

5,817

5,820

5,834

5,829

Weighted average common and common 

equivalent shares

5,817

5,820

5,834

5,829

Free Cash Flow

Net income 

$           3,841

$          4,295

$         13,279

$         13,690

Plus: Depreciation and amortization:

        Station

1,747

1,718

6,641

6,507

        Corporate

90

70

304

279

         Deferred tax provision 

320

780

1,420

2,660

         Non-cash compensation

473

526

2,129

2,201

         Other operating expense, net

26

14

112

61

         Other (income) expense , net

(5)

2

(16)

(23)

Less: Capital expenditures

(1,065)

(1,472)

(5,732)

(5,922)

Free cash flow

$           5,427

$          5,933

$         18,137

$         19,453

 December 31, 

2019

2018

Balance Sheet Data

Working capital

$         49,219

$         45,430

Net fixed assets

$         58,711

$         59,103

Net intangible assets and other assets

$       126,963

$        120,779

Total assets

$       252,394

$        248,477

Long-term debt (including current portion 

of $0 and $5,000, respectively)

$         10,000

$         20,000

Stockholders' equity

$       192,352

$        184,999

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Actual

Same Station(1)

Pro Forma (2)

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Consolidated

Net operating revenue

$      31,791

$    32,938

$      30,705

$      32,938

$      31,791

$      34,008

Station operating expense

23,050

23,761

22,101

23,761

23,050

24,697

Corporate general and administrative

3,281

3,154

3,281

3,154

3,281

3,154

Other operating expense 

26

14

26

14

26

14

Operating income

5,434

6,009

$        5,297

$        6,009

5,434

6,143

Interest expense

163

229

163

229

Interest income

(125)

(187)

(125)

(187)

Other (income) expense, net

(5)

2

(5)

2

Income before income tax expense

5,401

5,965

5,401

6,099

Income tax expense 

1,560

1,670

1,560

1,711

Net income

$        3,841

$      4,295

$        3,841

$        4,388

Basic earnings per share

$          0.64

$        0.72

$          0.64

$          0.74

Diluted earnings per share

$          0.64

$        0.72

$          0.64

$          0.74

Actual

Same Station(1)

Pro Forma (2)

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Depreciation and amortization

by segment

Radio Stations

$        1,747

$      1,718

$        1,599

$        1,718

$        1,747

$        1,855

Corporate

90

70

90

70

90

70

$        1,837

$      1,788

$        1,689

$        1,788

$        1,837

$        1,925

(1)

Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.

(2)

Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 occurred as of January 1, 2018.

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Actual

Same Station(1)

Pro Forma(2)

Twelve Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Consolidated

Net operating revenue

$    123,072

$    124,829

$    118,862

$    124,829

$    123,072

$    129,228

Station operating expense

92,692

93,727

89,039

93,727

92,692

97,314

Corporate general and administrative

11,460

11,359

11,460

11,359

11,460

11,359

Other operating expense 

112

61

112

61

112

61

Operating income

18,808

19,682

$      18,251

$      19,682

18,808

20,494

Interest expense

735

946

735

946

Interest income

(610)

(631)

(610)

(631)

Other (income) expense, net

(16)

(23)

(16)

(23)

Income before income tax expense

18,699

19,390

18,699

20,202

Income tax expense 

5,420

5,700

5,420

5,944

Net income

$      13,279

$      13,690

$      13,279

$      14,258

Basic earnings per share

$          2.23

$          2.30

$          2.23

$          2.40

Diluted earnings per share

$          2.23

$          2.30

$          2.23

$          2.40

Actual

Same Station(1)

Pro Forma (2)

Twelve Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Depreciation and amortization

by segment

Radio Stations

$        6,641

$        6,507

$        6,085

$        6,507

$        6,641

$        7,039

Corporate

304

279

304

279

304

279

$        6,945

$        6,786

$        6,389

$        6,786

$        6,945

$        7,318

(1)

Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.

(2)

Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 occurred as of January 1, 2018.

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(amounts in 000's except ratios)

(Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

December 31,

2019

2018 (2)

(Proforma)

Trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest,

  Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")(1)

Net income

$      13,279

$      14,258

Exclusions:

Gain (loss) on sale of assets 

(112)

(61)

Other gains and (losses)

16

23

Interest income

610

631

Other

190

(107)

Total exclusions

704

486

Consolidated adjusted net income(1)

12,575

13,772

Plus:  Interest expense

735

946

Income tax expense

5,420

5,944

Depreciation & amortization expense

6,945

7,318

Non-cash stock based compensation expense

2,129

2,201

Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

$      27,804

$      30,181

Total long-term debt, including current maturities

$      10,000

$      20,000

Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

27,804

30,181

Leverage ratio

0.36

0.66

(1)

As defined in the Company's credit facility.

(2)

2018 includes proforma acquisitions.

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures

For the Three and Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income 

Adjustment

Adjustment

Actual

For Acquisitions

Same Station

Actual

For Acquisitions

Same Station

Three Months

and Dispositions

Three Months

Three Months

and Dispositions

Three Months

Ended

Not Included in 

Ended

Ended

Not Included in 

Ended

December 31,

Entire Comparable

December 31,

December 31,

Entire Comparable

December 31,

2019

Period

2019

2018

Period

2018

Consolidated

Net operating revenue

$              31,791

$              (1,086)

$              30,705

$              32,938

$                     -

$              32,938

Station operating expense

23,050

(949)

22,101

23,761

-

23,761

Corporate general and administrative

3,281

-

3,281

3,154

-

3,154

Other operating expense 

26

-

26

14

-

14

Operating income

$                5,434

$                 (137)

$                5,297

$                6,009

$                     -

$                6,009

Depreciation and amortization

$                1,837

$                 (148)

$                1,689

$                1,788

$                     -

$                1,788

Adjustment

Adjustment

Actual

For Acquisitions

Same Station

Actual

For Acquisitions

Same Station

Twelve Months

and Dispositions

Twelve Months

Twelve Months

and Dispositions

Twelve Months

Ended

Not Included in 

Ended

Ended

Not Included in 

Ended

December 31,

Entire Comparable

December 31,

December 31,

Entire Comparable

December 31,

2019

Period

2019

2018

Period

2018

Consolidated

Net operating revenue

$            123,072

$              (4,210)

$            118,862

$            124,829

$                     -

$            124,829

Station operating expense

92,692

(3,653)

89,039

93,727

-

93,727

Corporate general and administrative

11,460

-

11,460

11,359

-

11,359

Other operating expense 

112

-

112

61

-

61

Operating income

$              18,808

$                 (557)

$              18,251

$              19,682

$                     -

$              19,682

Depreciation and amortization

$                6,945

$                 (556)

$                6,389

$                6,786

$                     -

$                6,786

 

 

Saga Communications, Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto/Saga Communications, Inc.) (PRNewsfoto/Saga Communications, Inc.)

 

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SOURCE Saga Communications, Inc.