Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 4th Quarter and Year End 2022 Results
Saga Communications reported a 6.0% increase in net revenue to $114.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $108.3 million the previous year. However, the results were impacted by one-time payments due to the passing of founder Ed Christian. Station operating expenses rose by 5.2% to $87.5 million.
Net income decreased to $9.2 million from $11.2 million, with diluted earnings per share at $1.52. The company declared a $0.25 quarterly dividend and has paid $108.3 million in dividends since 2012. Cash and short-term investments were $46.9 million as of December 31, 2022.
- Net revenue increased by 6.0% to $114.9 million for the year.
- Station operating income increased by 5.7% to $32.3 million.
- Diluted earnings per share rose to $1.52.
- Quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 declared, continuing a strong dividend history.
- Net income decreased from $11.2 million to $9.2 million.
- Operating income fell from $15.1 million to $13.1 million.
- Free cash flow decreased from $13.8 million to $10.5 million.
GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., March 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the “Company” or “Saga”) reported today that net revenue increased
As a result of Ed Christian’s passing, the Company was required to make several payments to his estate as outlined in his employment agreement. Without these expenses operating income would have increased
Net revenue increased
The Company declared a
The Company’s balance sheet reflects
Saga’s 2022 Fourth Quarter and Year End conference call will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008. Enter conference code 622772. A recording and 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 please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. on March 9, 2023 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 directions will be discussed during the call.
The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose the Company’s trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA and a reconciliation of operating income to station operating income.
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, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and 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 the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as “will,” “may,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “guidance,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The material risks facing our business are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in particular Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that forward-looking statements may be impacted by several factors, including global, national and local economic changes and changes in the radio broadcast industry in general as well as Saga’s actual performance. Actual results may vary materially from those described herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update any information contained herein that constitutes a forward-looking statement.
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 80 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, 2022 and 2021
(amounts in 000’s except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating Results | ||||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenue | $ | 30,125 | $ | 29,151 | $ | 114,893 | $ | 108,343 | ||||||||
| Station operating expense | 22,888 | 21,615 | 87,537 | 83,245 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate general and administrative | 2,330 | 2,570 | 14,300 | 10,040 | ||||||||||||
| Other operating (income) expense, net | (17 | ) | 32 | (14 | ) | 7 | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 4,924 | 4,934 | 13,070 | 15,051 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 34 | 66 | 130 | 284 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income | (223 | ) | (2 | ) | (410 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income, net | (616 | ) | (52 | ) | (652 | ) | (634 | ) | ||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 5,729 | 4,922 | 14,002 | 15,417 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,450 | 1,230 | 4,800 | 4,260 | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 4,279 | $ | 3,692 | $ | 9,202 | $ | 11,157 | ||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.85 | ||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.85 | ||||||||
| Weighted average common shares | 6,013 | 5,922 | 5,973 | 5,917 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average common and common equivalent shares | 6,013 | 5,922 | 5,973 | 5,917 | ||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 4,279 | $ | 3,692 | $ | 9,202 | $ | 11,157 | ||||||||
| Plus: Depreciation and amortization: | ||||||||||||||||
| Radio Stations | 1,303 | 1,357 | 4,925 | 5,450 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate | 34 | 91 | 246 | 299 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred tax provision | (25 | ) | (215 | ) | 935 | 195 | ||||||||||
| Non-cash compensation | 132 | 287 | 1,858 | 1,335 | ||||||||||||
| Other operating (income) expense, net | (17 | ) | 32 | (14 | ) | 7 | ||||||||||
| Other income, net | (616 | ) | (52 | ) | (652 | ) | (634 | ) | ||||||||
| Less: Capital expenditures | (1,263 | ) | (1,282 | ) | (5,994 | ) | (3,969 | ) | ||||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 3,827 | $ | 3,910 | $ | 10,506 | $ | 13,840 | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||||||
| Working capital | $ | 38,482 | $ | 55,253 | ||||||||
| Net fixed assets | $ | 53,198 | $ | 53,344 | ||||||||
| Net intangible assets and other assets | $ | 119,696 | $ | 120,139 | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 240,753 | $ | 247,932 | ||||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | $ | 178,529 | $ | 196,919 | ||||||||
Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
December 31, 2022 and 2021
(amounts in 000's)
(Unaudited)
| 12 Months Ended | |||||||
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (1) | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 9,202 | $ | 11,157 | |||
| Exclusions: | |||||||
| Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net | 14 | (7 | ) | ||||
| Gain on insurance proceeds | 534 | 589 | |||||
| Other income, net | 482 | 63 | |||||
| Total exclusions | 1,030 | 645 | |||||
| Consolidated adjusted net income (1) | 8,172 | 10,512 | |||||
| Plus: | |||||||
| Interest expense | 130 | 284 | |||||
| Income tax expense | 4,800 | 4,260 | |||||
| Depreciation & amortization expense | 5,171 | 5,749 | |||||
| Non-cash compensation | 1,858 | 1,335 | |||||
| Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1) | $ | 20,131 | $ | 22,140 | |||
__________________
(1) As defined in the Company's credit facility.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
For the Three and Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2022 and 2021
(amounts in 000’s)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Operating income to station operating income reconciliation: | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 4,924 | $ | 4,934 | $ | 13,070 | $ | 15,051 | ||||||
| Plus: | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate general and administrative | 2,330 | 2,570 | 14,300 | 10,040 | ||||||||||
| Other operating (income) expense, net | (17 | ) | 32 | (14 | ) | 7 | ||||||||
| Station depreciation and amortization | 1,303 | 1,357 | 4,925 | 5,450 | ||||||||||
| Station operating income | $ | 8,540 | $ | 8,893 | $ | 32,281 | $ | 30,548 | ||||||
Contact:
Samuel D. Bush
(313) 886-7070
FAQ
What was Saga Communications' net revenue for 2022?
How much did Saga's net income decline in 2022?
What is the diluted earnings per share for Saga in 2022?
When is the dividend payment date for Saga Communications?
What impact did Ed Christian's passing have on Saga's financial results?
