Lee Enterprises Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year FY24 results

Rhea-AI Summary

Lee Enterprises (NASDAQ: LEE) reported its Q4 and FY2024 results, highlighting significant digital transformation progress. Total Digital Revenue reached $82M in Q4, representing 51% of revenue. Digital-only subscription revenue grew 30% YOY, while Amplified Digital® Agency revenue increased 21% to $28M, approaching $100M for the fiscal year.

For FY2024, total operating revenue was $611M, with Digital Revenue at $299M (11% YOY increase) and Print Revenue at $312M (21% decrease). Operating expenses totaled $611M, with Adjusted EBITDA at $65M. The company maintains $446M in debt with BH Finance at 9% fixed interest rate.

Looking ahead to FY2025, Lee projects Total Digital Revenue growth of 7-10% and low-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth.

Positive

• Digital Revenue now represents 51% of total revenue
• Digital-only subscription revenue increased 30% YOY
• Amplified Digital® Agency revenue grew 21% to $28M
• Total Digital Revenue increased 11% to $299M in FY2024
• Operating expenses decreased 7% compared to prior year
• Debt reduced by $10M during fiscal year

Negative

• Print Revenue declined 21% YOY to $312M
• Company missed Adjusted EBITDA targets
• Operating expenses increased 4% in Q4
• High debt level at $446M with 9% interest rate
• Cash balance relatively low at $10M

Insights

Financial Analyst

Lee Enterprises' Q4 FY24 results demonstrate a significant digital transformation but with mixed performance metrics. Total Digital Revenue reached $82M, representing 51% of total revenue, with digital-only subscription revenue growing 30%. However, the $17M Adjusted EBITDA and missed EBITDA targets raise concerns. The company's $446M debt, though reduced by $10M, carries a 9% interest rate. The shift towards digital is promising, with Amplified Digital approaching $100M annual revenue, but print revenue decline of 21% continues to pressure overall performance. FY25 guidance of 7-10% digital revenue growth suggests moderate expansion ahead.

Tech Analyst

The strategic pivot towards AI and digital transformation shows promise. Partnerships with Perplexity and ProRata.ai position Lee to leverage its vast local content library and 25,000+ advertiser relationships. The 73% digital share of total advertising revenue demonstrates successful digital transformation. Key investments in AI, technology expertise and IT infrastructure lay groundwork for future growth. The BLOX Digital platform contributing $5M in quarterly revenue indicates potential in digital services. However, execution risks remain as the company balances traditional media decline with digital growth initiatives.

Total Digital Revenue⁽¹⁾ was 51% of revenue in the quarter, representing $82M
Digital-only subscription revenue increased 30%⁽²⁾ in the quarter
Amplified Digital^® Agency revenue totaled $28M in the quarter, up 21% YOY⁽²⁾, approaching $100M for the fiscal year

DAVENPORT, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE), a digital-first subscription platform providing high quality, trusted, local news, information and a major platform for advertising in 73 markets, today reported preliminary fourth quarter fiscal 2024 financial results⁽³⁾ for the period ended September 29, 2024.

“The team achieved significant milestones in FY24, driving 41% revenue growth⁽²⁾ in digital subscriptions and approaching $100 million in Amplified Digital^® revenue for the fiscal year,” said Kevin Mowbray, Lee’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We successfully met our digital subscription unit target and laid a robust foundation for our digital transformation through talent investments in AI, technology expertise, and complex IT infrastructure. While these accomplishments reflect strong execution of our strategy, we are not satisfied with the overall operating metrics, as we fell short of our Adjusted EBITDA target,” Mowbray added.

Key Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights:

• Total operating revenue was $611 million.
• Total Digital Revenue was $299 million, a 11% increase over the prior year⁽²⁾, and represented about half of our total operating revenue.
• Total Print Revenue was $312 million, a 21% decrease over the prior year⁽²⁾.
• Operating expenses totaled $611 million and Cash Costs⁽⁴⁾ totaled $553 million, a 7% and 10% decrease compared to the prior year, respectively.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽⁴⁾ totaled $65 million.
  

"As we look ahead to FY25, we remain confident in the strength of our core strategy and the opportunities it presents. We are uniquely positioned to lead the growth of local advertising driven by advancements in AI. With our vast library of hyper-local content and strong relationships with over 25,000 local advertisers, we have an unparalleled foundation to capitalize on this shift. Through strategic partnerships with leading AI and technology companies, like Perplexity and ProRata.ai, that were recently announced, we aim to scale rapidly and further solidify our dominant position in the local market, unlocking new growth opportunities and delivering enhanced value to our stakeholders," said Mowbray.

Key Fourth Quarter Highlights:

• Total operating revenue was $159 million.
• Total Digital Revenue was $82 million, a 13% increase over the prior year⁽²⁾, and represented 51% of our total operating revenue.
• Revenue from digital-only subscribers totaled $24 million, up 30% over the prior year⁽²⁾.
• Digital advertising and marketing services revenue represented 73% of our total advertising revenue and totaled $52 million. Revenue at Amplified increased 21%⁽²⁾ and totaled $28 million.
• Digital services revenue, which is predominantly from BLOX Digital, totaled $5 million in the quarter.
• Operating expenses totaled $163 million and Cash Costs totaled $143 million, a 4% and 4% increase compared to the prior year, respectively.
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $17 million.
  

2025 Fiscal Year Outlook:

Total Digital Revenue	YOY growth in the range of 7% - 10%
Adjusted EBITDA	YOY growth in the low-single digits

Debt and Free Cash Flow:

The Company has $446 million of debt outstanding under our Credit Agreement⁽⁵⁾ with BH Finance. The financing has favorable terms including a 25-year maturity, a fixed annual interest rate of 9.0%, no fixed principal payments, and no financial performance covenants.

As of and for the period ended September 29, 2024:

• The principal amount of debt totaled $446 million, a reduction of $10 million for the fiscal year.
• Cash on the balance sheet totaled $10 million. Debt, net of cash on the balance sheet, totaled $436 million.
• Capital expenditures totaled $9 million in FY24. We expect capital expenditures in FY25 to be approximately $12 million.
• For fiscal year 2024, cash paid for income taxes totaled $7 million. We expect cash paid for income taxes to total between $4 million and $10 million in FY25.
• We made no pension contributions in the fiscal year.
  

Conference Call Information:

As previously announced, we will hold an earnings conference call and audio webcast today at 9 a.m. Central Time. The live webcast will be accessible at www.lee.net and will be available for replay 24 hours later. Analysts have been invited to ask questions on the call. Questions from other participants may be submitted by participating in the webcast. To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register here. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.

About Lee:

Lee Enterprises is a major subscription and advertising platform and a leading provider of local news and information, with daily newspapers, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 73 markets in 26 states. Our core commitment is to provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities we serve. Our markets include St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; Omaha, NE; Richmond, VA; Lincoln, NE; Madison, WI; Davenport, IA; and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS — 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 that is based largely on our 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, which in some instances are beyond our control, are:

• We may be required to indemnify the previous owners of BH Media or The Buffalo News for unknown legal and other matters that may arise;
• Our ability to manage declining print revenue and circulation subscribers;
• The impact and duration of adverse conditions in certain aspects of the economy affecting our business;
• Changes in advertising and subscription demand;
• Changes in technology that impact our ability to deliver digital advertising;
• Potential changes in newsprint, other commodities and energy costs;
• Interest rates;
• Labor costs;
• Significant cyber security breaches or failure of our information technology systems;
• Our ability to achieve planned expense reductions and realize the expected benefit of our acquisitions;
• Our ability to maintain employee and customer relationships;
• Our ability to manage increased capital costs;
• Our ability to maintain our listing status on NASDAQ;
• Competition; and
• Other risks detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents.
  

Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “considers” and similar expressions) generally should be considered forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding our business and industry and our responses thereto may have on our future operations, are forward-looking statements. They reflect our expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date the statement is made. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this report. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contact:
IR@lee.net
(563) 383-2100

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)	September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023		September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023
Operating revenue:
Print Advertising revenue	19,370		23,302		81,488		125,804
Digital Advertising revenue	52,466		49,270		194,213		193,173
Advertising and marketing services revenue	71,836		72,572		275,701		318,977
Print Subscription revenue	49,141		58,792		197,584		252,591
Digital Subscription revenue	23,902		18,661		84,331		60,700
Subscription revenue	73,043		77,453		281,915		313,291
Print Other revenue	8,418		8,966		33,257		39,508
Digital Other revenue	5,276		5,020		20,507		19,362
Other revenue	13,694		13,986		53,764		58,870
Total operating revenue	158,573		164,011		611,380		691,138
Operating expenses:
Compensation	58,824		59,048		234,581		266,907
Newsprint and ink	3,712		5,102		16,813		25,346
Other operating expenses	80,704		73,714		301,950		323,067
Depreciation and amortization	6,178		7,524		27,616		30,621
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, net	6,466		6,137		11,193		1,882
Restructuring costs and other	7,054		4,552		19,253		12,673
Operating expenses	162,938		156,077		611,406		660,496
Equity in earnings of associated companies	703		2,993		4,572		6,527
Operating income	(3,662	)	10,927		4,546		37,169
Non-operating (expense) income:
Interest expense	(10,805	)	(10,326	)	(41,232	)	(41,471	)
Pension withdrawal cost	—		(1,200	)	—		(1,200	)
Pension and OPEB related benefit (cost) and other, net	814		162		1,910		2,420
Curtailment/Settlement gain	—		—		3,593		—
Non-operating expenses, net	(9,991	)	(11,364	)	(35,729	)	(40,251	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(13,653	)	(437	)	(31,183	)	(3,082	)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,172	)	888		(7,610	)	(349	)
Net (loss) income	(9,481	)	(1,325	)	(23,573	)	(2,733	)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(609	)	(659	)	(2,272	)	(2,534	)
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(10,090	)	(1,984	)	(25,845	)	(5,267	)
Loss per common share:
Basic	(1.69	)	(0.32	)	(4.35	)	(0.90	)
Diluted	(1.69	)	(0.32	)	(4.35	)	(0.90	)

DIGITAL / PRINT REVENUE COMPOSITION

(UNAUDITED)

	Three months ended		Twelve months ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 29, 2024	September 24, 2023	September 29, 2024	September 24, 2023
Digital Advertising and Marketing Services Revenue	52,466	49,270	194,213	193,173
Digital Only Subscription Revenue	23,902	18,661	84,331	60,700
Digital Services Revenue	5,276	5,020	20,507	19,362
Total Digital Revenue	81,644	72,951	299,051	273,235
Print Advertising Revenue	19,370	23,302	81,488	125,804
Print Subscription Revenue	49,141	58,792	197,584	252,591
Other Print Revenue	8,418	8,966	33,257	39,508
Total Print Revenue	76,929	91,060	312,329	417,903
Total Operating Revenue	158,573	164,011	611,380	691,138

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(UNAUDITED)

The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss, its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023		September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023
Net loss	(9,481	)	(1,325	)	(23,573	)	(2,733	)
Adjusted to exclude
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,172	)	888		(7,610	)	(349	)
Non-operating expenses, net	9,991		11,364		35,729		40,251
Equity in earnings of TNI and MNI(6)	(703	)	(2,993	)	(4,572	)	(6,527	)
Assets loss on sales, impairments and other, net	6,466		6,137		11,193		1,882
Depreciation and amortization	6,178		7,524		27,616		30,621
Restructuring costs and other	7,054		4,552		19,253		12,673
Stock compensation	553		421		1,751		1,806
Add:
Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA (50%)	874		3,476		5,519		7,604
Adjusted EBITDA	16,760		30,044		65,306		85,228

The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Cash Costs to Operating expenses, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

	Three months ended		Twelve months ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 29, 2024	September 24, 2023	September 29, 2024	September 24, 2023
Operating expenses	162,938	156,077	611,406	660,496
Adjustments
Depreciation and amortization	6,178	7,524	27,616	30,621
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, net	6,466	6,137	11,193	1,882
Restructuring costs and other	7,054	4,552	19,253	12,673
Cash Costs	143,240	137,864	553,344	615,320

The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Same-store Revenues to Operating Revenues, its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

	Three months ended				Twelve months ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023		September 29, 2024		September 24, 2023
Print Advertising Revenue	19,370		23,302		81,488		125,804
Exited operations	9		(790	)	(900	)	(19,051	)
Same-store, Print Advertising Revenue	19,379		22,512		80,588		106,753
Digital Advertising and Marketing Services Revenue	52,466		49,270		194,213		193,173
Exited operations	(1	)	(443	)	(96	)	(2,897	)
Same-store, Digital Advertising and Marketing Services Revenue	52,465		48,827		194,117		190,276
Total Advertising Revenue	71,836		72,572		275,701		318,977
Exited operations	8		(1,233	)	(996	)	(21,948	)
Same-store, Total Advertising Revenue	71,844		71,339		274,705		297,029
Print Subscription Revenue	49,141		58,792		197,584		252,591
Exited operations	—		(373	)	(174	)	(2,163	)
Same-store, Print Subscription Revenue	49,141		58,419		197,410		250,428
Digital Subscription Revenue	23,902		18,661		84,331		60,700
Exited operations	—		(262	)	(84	)	(1,038	)
Same-store, Digital Subscription Revenue	23,902		18,399		84,247		59,662
Total Subscription Revenue	73,043		77,453		281,915		313,291
Exited operations	—		(635	)	(258	)	(3,201	)
Same-store, Total Subscription Revenue	73,043		76,818		281,657		310,090
Print Other Revenue	8,418		8,966		33,257		39,508
Exited operations	—		(73	)	(1	)	(396	)
Same-store, Print Other Revenue	8,418		8,893		33,256		39,112
Digital Other Revenue	5,276		5,020		20,507		19,362
Exited operations	—		—		—		—
Same-store, Digital Other Revenue	5,276		5,020		20,507		19,362
Total Other Revenue	13,694		13,986		53,764		58,870
Exited operations	—		(74	)	(1	)	(396	)
Same-store, Total Other Revenue	13,694		13,912		53,763		58,474
Total Operating Revenue	158,573		164,011		611,380		691,138
Exited operations	8		(1,942	)	(1,255	)	(25,545	)
Same-store, Total Operating Revenue	158,581		162,069		610,125		665,593

NOTES

(1)   Total Digital Revenue is defined as digital advertising and marketing services revenue (including Amplified Digital^® Agency), digital-only subscription revenue and digital services revenue.

(2)   Same-store revenues is a non-GAAP performance measure based on U.S. GAAP revenues for Lee for the current period, excluding exited operations. Exited operations include (1) business divestitures and (2) the elimination of stand-alone print products discontinued within our markets.

(3)   This earnings release is a preliminary report of results for the periods included. The reader should refer to the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-Q and on Form 10-K for definitive information.

(4)   The following are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures for which reconciliations to relevant U.S GAAP measures are included in tables accompanying this release:

• Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that enhances financial statement users overall understanding of the operating performance of the Company. The measure isolates unusual, infrequent or non-cash transactions from the operating performance of the business. This allows users to easily compare operating performance among various fiscal periods and how management measures the performance of the business. This measure also provides users with a benchmark that can be used when forecasting future operating performance of the Company that excludes unusual, nonrecurring or one-time transactions. Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used by stockholders and analysts to determine the value of our business when using the market approach, which applies a market multiple to financial metrics. It is also a measure used to calculate the leverage ratio of the Company, which is a key financial ratio monitored and used by the Company and its investors. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus non-operating expenses, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, restructuring costs and other, stock compensation and our 50% share of EBITDA from TNI and MNI, minus equity in earnings of TNI and MNI.
• Cash Costs represent a non-GAAP financial performance measure of operating expenses which are measured on an accrual basis and settled in cash. This measure is useful to investors in understanding the components of the Company’s cash-settled operating costs. Periodically, the Company provides forward-looking guidance of Cash Costs, which can be used by financial statement users to assess the Company's ability to manage and control its operating cost structure. Cash Costs are defined as compensation, newsprint and ink and other operating expenses. Depreciation and amortization, assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, other non-cash operating expenses and other expenses are excluded. Cash Costs also exclude restructuring costs and other, which are typically paid in cash.

(5)   The Company's debt is the $576 million term loan under a credit agreement with BH Finance LLC dated January 29, 2020 (the "Credit Agreement"). Excess Cash Flow is defined under the Credit Agreement as any cash greater than $20,000,000 on the balance sheet in accordance with U.S. GAAP at the end of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the quarter ending June 28, 2020.

(6)    TNI refers to TNI Partners publishing operations in Tucson, AZ. MNI refers to Madison Newspapers, Inc. publishing operations in Madison, WI.

FAQ

What was Lee Enterprises (LEE) total digital revenue in Q4 2024?

Lee Enterprises' total digital revenue was $82 million in Q4 2024, representing 51% of total revenue.

How much did LEE's digital subscription revenue grow in Q4 2024?

Lee's digital-only subscription revenue increased 30% year-over-year in Q4 2024.

What is Lee Enterprises' (LEE) debt situation as of September 2024?

As of September 2024, Lee has $446 million in debt with BH Finance at a 9% fixed interest rate, with debt net of cash at $436 million.

What is LEE's revenue guidance for FY2025?

Lee expects Total Digital Revenue growth of 7-10% and Adjusted EBITDA growth in the low-single digits for FY2025.

How much was Lee Enterprises' (LEE) total operating revenue in FY2024?

Lee's total operating revenue for FY2024 was $611 million.