UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 24, 2007

 

_______________________________________________________________________

LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

Commission File Number 1-6227

 

Delaware

(State of Incorporation)

42-0823980

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

201 N. Harrison Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(563) 383-2100

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 


 



 

 

Item 7.01.        Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On October 24, 2007, Lee Enterprises, Incorporated issued a News Release reporting its revenue for the month of September 2007, for the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007 and fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, and the effect of certain tax settlements. A copy of the News Release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

 

(c) Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated reports monthly, quarterly and year end revenues and tax settlements

 

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.

 

 

 

 

LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: October 24, 2007

By:

/s/Carl G. Schmidt

 

 

Carl G. Schmidt

 

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

 

 

and Treasurer

 

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated reports monthly, quarterly and year end revenues and tax settlements

 

 

 

3

 



 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 


 

   201 N. Harrison St.

 

Davenport, IA 52801

www.lee.net

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Lee Enterprises reports September revenue and favorable tax settlements

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (Oct. 24, 2007) — Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), reported today that same property(1) advertising revenue, which was favorably affected by calendar changes, increased 8.4 percent in September compared with a year ago.

 

Because of period accounting, the September statistical period at the former Pulitzer operations included an extra week in 2007 compared with a year ago. The extra week resulted in additional September 2007 same property advertising revenue of $6.5 million and additional same property total revenue of $8.2 million. Excluding the extra week, same property advertising revenue decreased 0.7 percent and same property total revenue decreased 0.2 percent.

 

Because of calendar month accounting, the remainder of Lee’s operations, which account for about 61 percent of total revenue, recorded five Sundays in September 2007, compared with four a year ago. Sundays normally generate more print advertising revenue than any other day of the week. Online advertising revenue is not significantly affected by day exchanges.

 

TAX SETTLEMENTS WILL FAVORABLY AFFECT EARNINGS

 

The calendar changes will favorably influence Lee’s earnings for its fourth 2007 fiscal quarter and year, which are scheduled to be announced before market on Nov. 8.

 

Those earnings also will be improved by settlements of federal and state tax audits and other matters totaling $6.88 million, or about 15 cents per diluted common share.

 

Mary Junck, Lee chairman and chief executive officer, said: “While we’re still closing the books on fiscal 2007, we can report that, even in a less than stellar year, we’ve been able to lead the industry in revenue and audiences, drive strong cash flow and continue our rapid payback of debt. We expect net debt for 2007 to total $1.28 billion, a reduction of $135.7 million for the year.”

 

PERIOD ACCOUNTING

 

Through fiscal 2007, the former Pulitzer operations have used period accounting, which minimizes the effect of calendar changes, while the rest of Lee’s operations have used calendar accounting. Beginning in fiscal 2008, Lee will switch to period accounting for all of its operations. Period accounting uses one five-week “month” and two four-week “months” each quarter to facilitate year-over-year comparisons. Most of Lee’s peer companies use period accounting. Because the change will inhibit year-over-year comparisons in fiscal 2008, Lee plans to discontinue issuing monthly revenue statistics beginning with October results. Also because of the change from calendar accounting, most Lee properties will be on a 364-day year in fiscal 2008, compared with 365 in 2007.

 

 



 

 

SEPTEMBER REVENUE STATISTICS

 

On a same property basis, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures made in the current or prior year, combined print and online retail advertising increased 9.8 percent in September compared with a year ago and increased 0.5 percent year to date.

 

Pro forma(4) information excluding the 53rd week at the former Pulitzer properties is included in the text below and in the tables that follow this news release.

 

Excluding the extra week in 2007 at the former Pulitzer properties, combined print and online retail advertising revenue increased 0.4 percent for the period and decreased 0.3 percent for the fiscal year.

 

Combined print and online classified advertising revenue increased 7.7 percent for the month and decreased 0.5 percent year to date, with employment up 20.6 percent for the month and up 6.8 percent year to date, automotive down 4.5 percent for the month and down 5.7 percent year to date, and real estate up 0.4 percent for the month and down 5.8 percent year to date. Excluding the extra week at the former Pulitzer properties, combined print and online classified revenue declined 0.8 percent for the period and 1.2 percent for the fiscal year. Employment was up 12.0 percent for the period and up 6.1 percent for the year. Automotive was down 12.0 percent for the period and down 6.4 percent for the year. Real estate was down 6.6 percent for the period and down 6.4 percent for the year.

 

National advertising revenue increased 10.0 percent for the month and declined 5.1 percent year to date. Excluding the extra week at the former Pulitzer properties, national advertising revenue decreased 5.7 percent for the period and decreased 6.2 percent for the year.

 

Circulation revenue increased 8.7 percent for the month and decreased 0.7 percent year to date. Excluding the extra week at the former Pulitzer properties, circulation declined 0.7 percent for the period and declined 1.4 percent for the year.

 

Total same property operating revenue in September increased 8.8 percent for the month and decreased 0.2 percent year to date compared with a year ago. Excluding the extra week at the former Pulitzer properties, total same property operating revenue declined 0.2 percent for the period and declined 0.9 percent for the year.

 

Including the effect of acquisitions and divestitures, total operating revenue increased 8.7 percent for the month and decreased 0.1 percent year to date. Excluding the extra week in 2007 at the former Pulitzer properties, the comparison with a year ago was down 0.2 percent for the period and down 0.8 percent year for the year.

 

ABOUT LEE

 

Lee Enterprises is a premier provider of local news, information and advertising in primarily midsize markets, with 51 daily newspapers and a joint interest in five others, rapidly growing online sites and more than 300 weekly newspapers and specialty publications in 23 states. Lee’s newspapers have circulation of 1.7 million daily and 1.9 million Sunday, reaching more than four million readers daily. Lee’s online sites attract more than 11 million unique visitors monthly, and Lee’s weekly publications are distributed to more than 4.5 million households. Lee’s newspaper markets include St. Louis, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Madison, Wis.; Davenport, Iowa; Billings, Mont.; Bloomington, Ill.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Napa, Calif. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
Revenue and Statistical Summary
(Unaudited)
 
OPERATING REVENUE FOR SEPTEMBER
 
As reported, including 5 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer properties
  Pro forma, excluding 5th week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer properties
 

(Thousands) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Advertising revenue:                              
       Retail$ 40,263   $ 37,149    8.4 % $ 36,944   $ 37,149    (0.6 )%
       National 4,249    3,863    10.0    3,642    3,863    (5.7 )
       Classified:                                    
           Daily newspapers:                                    
              Employment 7,272    7,243    0.4    6,802    7,243    (6.1 )
              Automotive 4,783    5,122    (6.6 )  4,334    5,122    (15.4 )
              Real estate 5,163    5,320    (3.0 )  4,778    5,320    (10.2 )
              All other 3,725    3,307    12.6    3,428    3,307    3.7  
           Other publications 4,373    3,981    9.8    3,927    3,981    (1.4 )

       Total classified revenue 25,316    24,973    1.4    23,269    24,973    (6.8 )
       Online 5,709    3,369    69.5    5,214    3,369    54.8  
       Niche publications 1,630    1,824    (10.6 )  1,595    1,824    (12.6 )

Total advertising revenue 77,167    71,178    8.4    70,664    71,178    (0.7 )
Circulation 18,189    16,737    8.7    16,622    16,737    (0.7 )
Commercial printing 1,312    1,364    (3.8 )  1,237    1,364    (9.3 )
Online services and other 2,591    1,959    32.3    2,533    1,959    29.3  

Total same property revenue 99,259    91,238    8.8    91,056    91,238    (0.2 )
Acquisitions & divestitures 339    379    NM    339    379    NM  

Total operating revenue$ 99,598   $ 91,617    8.7 % $ 91,395   $ 91,617    (0.2 )%

 
SELECTED COMBINED PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING REVENUE
 
As reported, including 5 weeks in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties
  Pro forma, excluding 5th week in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties
 

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail   $ 40,347   $ 36,760     9.8 % $ 36,924   $ 36,760     0.4 %
                                       
Classified:                                      
       Employment     10,946     9,079     20.6 %   10,172     9,079     12.0 %
       Automotive     6,322     6,622     (4.5 )   5,825     6,622     (12.0 )
       Real estate     6,936     6,906     0.4     6,453     6,906     (6.6 )
       Other     6,737     6,124     10.0     6,053     6,124     (1.2 )

       Total classified revenue   $ 30,941   $ 28,731     7.7 % $ 28,503   $ 28,731     (0.8 )%

 
REVENUE BY REGION
 
As reported, including 5 weeks in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties
Pro forma, excluding 5th week in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Midwest   $ 61,303   $ 54,840     11.8 % $ 54,716   $ 54,840     (0.2 )%
Mountain West     18,092     16,957     6.7     17,662     16,957     4.2  
West     12,716     12,620     0.8     11,530     12,620     (8.6 )
East/other     7,148     6,821     4.8     7,148     6,821     4.8  

Total   $ 99,259   $ 91,238     8.8 % $ 91,056   $ 91,238     (0.2 )%

 

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DAILY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING VOLUME
 
As reported, including 5 weeks in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties
Pro forma, excluding 5th week in
2007 at former Pulitzer properties

(Thousands of inches, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail     1,204     1,136     6.0 %   1,105     1,136     (2.7 )%
National     53     57     (7.0 )   47     57     (17.5 )
Classified     1,482     1,479     0.2     1,359     1,479     (8.1 )

Total     2,739     2,672     2.5 %   2,511     2,672     (6.0 )%

 
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
Revenue and Statistical Summary
(Unaudited)
 
OPERATING REVENUE FOR SEPTEMBER QUARTER
 
As reported, including 14 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer properties
  Pro forma, excluding 14th week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer properties
 

(Thousands) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Advertising revenue:                                      
       Retail   $ 112,579   $ 110,402     2.0 % $ 109,260   $ 110,402     (1.0 )%
       National     12,072     12,228     (1.3 )   11,465     12,228     (6.2 )
       Classified:                                      
           Daily newspapers:                                      
              Employment     21,366     23,649     (9.7 )   20,896     23,649     (11.6 )
              Automotive     14,247     16,203     (12.1 )   13,798     16,203     (14.8 )
              Real estate     15,222     16,947     (10.2 )   14,837     16,947     (12.5 )
              All other     10,713     10,113     5.9     10,416     10,113     3.0  
           Other publications     12,833     12,072     6.3     12,387     12,072     2.6  

       Total classified revenue     74,381     78,984     (5.8 )   72,334     78,984     (8.4 )
       Online     16,616     10,401     59.8     16,121     10,401     55.0  
       Niche publications     4,117     4,279     (3.8 )   4,082     4,279     (4.6 )

Total advertising revenue     219,765     216,294     1.6     213,262     216,294     (1.4 )
Circulation     52,052     51,570     0.9     50,485     51,570     (2.1 )
Commercial printing     4,168     4,122     1.1     4,093     4,122     (0.7 )
Online services and other     7,198     6,487     11.0     7,140     6,487     10.1  

Total same property revenue     283,183     278,473     1.7     274,980     278,473     (1.3 )
Acquisitions & divestitures     953     1,196     NM     953     1,196     NM  

Total operating revenue   $ 284,136   $ 279,669     1.6 % $ 275,933   $ 279,669     (1.3 )%

 
SELECTED COMBINED PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING REVENUE
               
      As reported, including 14 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 14th week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail   $ 112,661   $ 108,861    3.5 %  $ 109,238   $ 108,861    0.3 % 
   
Classified:  
     Employment  32,241    29,633    8.8    31,467    29,633    6.2  
     Automotive  18,941    20,421    (7.2 )  18,444    20,421    (9.7 )
     Real estate  20,139    21,625    (6.9 )  19,656    21,625    (9.1 )
     Other  19,594    19,247    1.8    18,910    19,247    (1.8 )

     Total classified revenue $ 90,915   $ 90,926     %  $ 88,477   $ 90,926    (2.7 )%

 

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REVENUE BY REGION
               
      As reported, including 14 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 14th week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Midwest   $ 173,007   $ 169,712    1.9 %  $ 166,420   $ 169,712    (1.9 )%
Mountain West  52,500    50,293    4.4    52,070    50,293    3.5  
West  36,946    38,858    (4.9 )  35,760    38,858    (8.0 )
East/other  20,730    19,610    5.7    20,730    19,610    5.7  

Total $ 283,183   $ 278,473    1.7 %  $ 274,980   $ 278,473    (1.3 )%

 
DAILY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING VOLUME
               
      As reported, including 14 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 14th week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands of inches, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail    3,373    3,399    (0.8 )%  3,274    3,399    (3.7 )%
National  149    162    (8.0 )  143    162    (11.7 )
Classified  4,326    4,653    (7.0 )  4,203    4,653    (9.7 )

Total  7,848    8,214    (4.5 )%  7,620    8,214    (7.2 )%

 
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
Revenue and Statistical Summary
(Unaudited)
 
OPERATING REVENUE FOR FISCAL YEAR
               
      As reported, including 53 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 53rd week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Advertising revenue:                                
     Retail $ 459,012   $ 463,898    (1.1 )% $ 455,693   $ 463,898    (1.8 )%
     National  54,900    57,869    (5.1 )  54,293    57,869    (6.2 )
     Classified:  
       Daily newspapers:  
         Employment  82,358    90,508    (9.0 )  81,888    90,508    (9.5 )
         Automotive  55,437    60,953    (9.0 )  54,988    60,953    (9.8 )
         Real estate  59,078    63,801    (7.4 )  58,693    63,801    (8.0 )
         All other  39,616    39,218    1.0    39,319    39,218    0.3  
       Other publications  48,427    45,818    5.7    47,981    45,818    4.7  

     Total classified revenue  284,916    300,298    (5.1 )  282,869    300,298    (5.8 )
     Online  56,324    35,771    57.5    55,829    35,771    56.1  
     Niche publications  16,351    16,580    (1.4 )  16,316    16,580    (1.6 )

Total advertising revenue  871,503    874,416    (0.3 )  865,000    874,416    (1.1 )
Circulation  204,311    205,677    (0.7 )  202,744    205,677    (1.4 )
Commercial printing  16,609    16,931    (1.9 )  16,534    16,931    (2.3 )
Online services and other  31,338    28,618    9.5    31,280    28,618    9.3  

Total same property revenue  1,123,761    1,125,642    (0.2 )  1,115,558    1,125,642    (0.9 )
Acquisitions & divestitures  3,900    3,006    NM    3,900    3,006    NM  

Total operating revenue $ 1,127,661   $ 1,128,648    (0.1 )% $ 1,119,458   $ 1,128,648    (0.8 )%

 

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SELECTED COMBINED PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING REVENUE
               
      As reported, including 53 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 53rd week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail   $ 459,259   $ 457,149    0.5 % $ 455,836   $ 457,149    (0.3 )%
                               
Classified:  
     Employment  117,688    110,167    6.8    116,914    110,167    6.1  
     Automotive  73,040    77,490    (5.7 )  72,543    77,490    (6.4 )
     Real estate  76,679    81,378    (5.8 )  76,196    81,378    (6.4 )
     Other  73,586    73,783    (0.3 )  72,902    73,783    (1.2 )

     Total classified revenue $ 340,993   $ 342,818    (0.5 )% $ 338,555   $ 342,818    (1.2 )%

 
REVENUE BY REGION
               
      As reported, including 53 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 53rd week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Midwest   $ 688,937   $ 694,027    (0.7 )% $ 682,350   $ 694,027    (1.7 )%
Mountain West  202,815    197,377    2.8    202,385    197,377    2.5  
West  147,797    153,106    (3.5 )  146,611    153,106    (4.2 )
East/other  84,212    81,132    3.8    84,212    81,132    3.8  

Total $ 1,123,761   $ 1,125,642    (0.2 )% $ 1,115,558   $ 1,125,642    (0.9 )%

 
DAILY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING VOLUME
 
      As reported, including 53 weeks
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
    Pro forma, excluding 53rd week
in 2007 at former Pulitzer
properties
 
  

(Thousands of inches, Same property) 2007 2006 % 2007 2006 %

Retail    13,441    13,723    (2.1 )%  13,342    13,723    (2.8 )%
National  678    778    (12.9 )  672    778    (13.6 )
Classified     16,125     16,925     (4.7 )   16,002     16,925     (5.5 )

Total  30,244    31,426    (3.8 )%  30,016    31,426    (4.5 )%

 

6



NOTES:

 

(1)

Same property comparisons exclude acquisitions and divestitures made in the current and prior year. Same property revenue also excludes Lee’s 50% ownership in Madison and Tucson, which are reported using the equity method of accounting.

(2)

Because of period accounting, the 2007 September statistical period and fiscal year included an additional week at the former Pulitzer properties. At the rest of Lee’s enterprises, the month had one more Sunday and one fewer Friday than the prior period. The fiscal year had one more Sunday and one fewer Saturday than in 2006.

(3)

Certain amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The prior period has been restated for comparative purposes, and the reclassifications have no impact on earnings.

(4)

Pro forma information excluding the 53rd week at the former Pulitzer properties is a non-GAAP financial measure. The pro forma information is intended to provide investors with a sense of what the revenue results would have been in each period presented without the 53rd week compared with a year ago. Revenue for the 53rd week is equal to the difference between the as-reported, GAAP amount and the pro forma amount.

(5)

The Company's fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

(6)

The Company disclaims responsibility for updating information beyond the release date.

 

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release contains information that may be deemed forward-looking and that is based largely on the Company's current expectations and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other uncertainties are changes in advertising demand, newsprint prices, energy costs, interest rates, labor costs, legislative and regulatory rulings and other results of operations or financial conditions, difficulties in integration of acquired businesses or maintaining employee and customer relationships, increased capital and other costs and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s publicly filed documents, including the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006. The words “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “considers” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not publicly undertake to update or revise its forward-looking statements.

 

Contact: dan.hayes@lee.net, (563) 383-2100

 

 

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