Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 25, 2016
Commission file number 1-5837
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
NEW YORK
 
13-1102020
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
620 EIGHTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
(Address of principal executive offices)
10018
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-556-1234
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x      No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   x     No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  x
 
Accelerated filer  o
 
Non-accelerated filer  o 
 
Smaller reporting company  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   o     No  x
Number of shares of each class of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of October 28, 2016 (exclusive of treasury shares): 
Class A Common Stock
  
 
160,276,228

  shares
Class B Common Stock
  
 
816,632

  shares
 




THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
INDEX

 
 
ITEM NO.
 
 
PART I
 
 
 
Financial Information
 
Item
1
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 25, 2016 (unaudited) and December 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Item
2
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Item
3
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Item
4
 
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
Other Information
 
Item
1
 
Legal Proceedings
 
Item
1A
 
Risk Factors
 
Item
2
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Item
6
 
Exhibits
 





PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
September 25, 2016

December 27, 2015
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
156,938

 
$
105,776

Short-term marketable securities
589,065

 
507,639

Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $15,626 in 2016 and $13,485 in 2015)
152,589

 
207,180

Prepaid expenses
14,061

 
19,430

Other current assets
50,097

 
22,507

Total current assets
962,750

 
862,532

Other assets
 
 
 
Long-term marketable securities
198,861

 
291,136

Investments in joint ventures
14,304

 
22,815

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $893,230 in 2016 and $856,974 in 2015)
602,140

 
632,439

Goodwill
122,940

 
109,085

Deferred income taxes
301,578

 
309,142

Miscellaneous assets
154,307

 
190,541

Total assets
$
2,356,880

 
$
2,417,690

 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1



THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-(Continued)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
September 25, 2016
 
December 27, 2015
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
92,467

 
$
96,082

Accrued payroll and other related liabilities
74,791

 
98,256

Unexpired subscriptions
63,645

 
60,184

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
188,993

 
188,377

Accrued expenses and other
152,912

 
120,686

Total current liabilities
572,808

 
563,585

Other liabilities
 
 
 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
245,922

 
242,851

Pension benefits obligation
600,645

 
627,697

Postretirement benefits obligation
58,446

 
62,879

Other
85,888

 
92,223

Total other liabilities
990,901

 
1,025,650

Stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Common stock of $.10 par value:
 
 
 
Class A – authorized: 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2016 – 169,147,029; 2015 – 168,263,533 (including treasury shares: 2016 – 8,870,801; 2015 – 7,691,129)
16,915

 
16,826

Class B – convertible – authorized and issued shares: 2016 – 816,632; 2015 – 816,635 (including treasury shares: 2016 – none; 2015 – none)
82

 
82

Additional paid-in capital
145,967

 
146,348

Retained earnings
1,301,254

 
1,328,744

Common stock held in treasury, at cost
(171,211
)
 
(156,155
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1,456

 
17

Funded status of benefit plans
(497,277
)
 
(509,111
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
(495,821
)
 
(509,094
)
Total New York Times Company stockholders’ equity
797,186

 
826,751

Noncontrolling interest
(4,015
)
 
1,704

Total stockholders’ equity
793,171

 
828,455

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,356,880

 
$
2,417,690

 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


2



THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 25, 2016


September 27, 2015

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Circulation
 
$
217,099

 
$
210,705

 
$
654,573

 
$
636,626

Advertising
 
124,898

 
135,356

 
395,733

 
433,863

Other
 
21,550

 
21,343

 
65,386

 
64,040

Total revenues
 
363,547

 
367,404

 
1,115,692

 
1,134,529

Operating costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wages and benefits
 
91,041

 
88,999

 
274,142

 
268,667

Raw materials
 
18,228

 
18,400

 
53,115

 
57,025

Other
 
47,347

 
44,632

 
139,938

 
135,748

Total production costs
 
156,616

 
152,031

 
467,195

 
461,440

Selling, general and administrative costs
 
184,596

 
178,071

 
534,911

 
533,120

Depreciation and amortization
 
15,384

 
15,369

 
46,003

 
46,023

Total operating costs
 
356,596

 
345,471

 
1,048,109

 
1,040,583

Restructuring charge
 
2,949

 

 
14,804

 

Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal (income)/expense
 
(4,971
)
 

 
6,730

 
4,697

Pension settlement charges
 

 

 

 
40,329

Operating profit
 
8,973

 
21,933

 
46,049

 
48,920

Income/(loss) from joint ventures
 
463

 
170

 
(41,845
)
 
(758
)
Interest expense, net
 
9,032

 
9,127

 
26,955

 
31,095

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
404

 
12,976

 
(22,751
)
 
17,067

Income tax expense/(benefit)
 
121

 
3,611

 
(8,956
)
 
5,904

Net income/(loss)
 
283

 
9,365

 
(13,795
)
 
11,163

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
 
123

 
50

 
5,719

 
390

Net income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders
 
$
406

 
$
9,415

 
$
(8,076
)
 
$
11,553

Average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
161,185

 
165,052

 
161,092

 
165,130

Diluted
 
162,945

 
166,981

 
161,092

 
167,574

Basic earnings/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.06

 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.07

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.06

 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.07

Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3



THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(39 weeks)
Net income/(loss)
 
$
283

 
$
9,365

 
$
(13,795
)
 
$
11,163

Other comprehensive income, before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments
 
604

 
(482
)
 
2,110

 
(7,102
)
Pension and postretirement benefits obligation
 
6,552

 
9,166

 
19,655

 
67,646

Other comprehensive income, before tax
 
7,156

 
8,684

 
21,765

 
60,544

Income tax expense
 
2,912

 
3,635

 
8,492

 
24,211

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
4,244

 
5,049

 
13,273

 
36,333

Comprehensive income/(loss)
 
4,527

 
14,414

 
(522
)
 
47,496

Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
 
123

 
50

 
5,719

 
339

Comprehensive income attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders
 
$
4,650

 
$
14,464

 
$
5,197

 
$
47,835

 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4



THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
(39 weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net (loss)/income
$
(13,795
)
 
$
11,163

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Restructuring charge
14,804

 

Pension settlement charges

 
40,329

Multiemployer pension plan charges
11,701

 
4,697

Depreciation and amortization
46,003

 
46,023

Stock-based compensation expense
8,561

 
7,588

Undistributed loss of joint ventures
41,845

 
758

Long-term retirement benefit obligations
(22,366
)
 
(7,767
)
Uncertain tax positions
53

 
147

Other-net
(1,315
)
 
14,303

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable-net
54,591

 
55,120

Other current assets
(21,926
)
 
10,742

Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities
(45,546
)
 
(76,555
)
Unexpired subscriptions
3,461

 
1,486

Net cash provided by operating activities
76,071

 
108,034

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Purchases of marketable securities
(514,809
)
 
(555,040
)
Maturities of marketable securities
522,655

 
626,697

Cash distribution from corporate-owned life insurance
38,000

 

Business acquisitions
(15,410
)
 

Purchase of investments – net of proceeds
(1,840
)
 
(3,592
)
Capital expenditures
(21,820
)
 
(21,150
)
Change in restricted cash
3,816

 
(1,190
)
Other-net
(380
)
 
(343
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
10,212

 
45,382

Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Long-term obligations:
 
 
 
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations
(460
)
 
(223,653
)
Dividends paid
(19,416
)
 
(20,053
)
Capital shares:
 
 
 
Stock issuances
273

 
102,803

Repurchases
(15,684
)
 
(43,561
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(35,287
)
 
(184,464
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
50,996

 
(31,048
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
166

 
(953
)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
105,776

 
176,607

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$
156,938

 
$
144,606

 See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
In the opinion of management of The New York Times Company (the “Company”), the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods ended September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively as “we,” “us” or “our.” All adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules, certain notes or other financial information that are normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. These financial statements, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations. The fiscal periods included herein comprise 13 weeks for the third quarter.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
For comparability, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations for additional information regarding reclassified amounts.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
As of September 25, 2016, our significant accounting policies, which are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015, have not changed.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which amends the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 230 on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The primary purpose of this ASU is to reduce the diversity in practice that has resulted from the lack of consistent principles on this topic. The ASU’s amendments add or clarify guidance on eight cash flows issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This guidance becomes effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All amendments must be adopted in the same period. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new cash flow guidance.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which provides guidance on accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance becomes effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 25, 2016. Early application is permitted. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized and classified on the statement of cash flows, forfeitures, minimum statutory withholding requirements, and intrinsic value will be applied using a modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. Amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when the Company withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement will be applied retrospectively. Amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term will be applied prospectively. The Company may elect to apply the amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new stock compensation guidance.

6


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which provides guidance on accounting for leases and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The guidance requires lessees to recognize the following for all operating and finance leases at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is the obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and (2) a right-of-use asset representing the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases with a term of 12 months or less. The guidance does not fundamentally change lessor accounting; however, some changes have been made to align that guidance with the lessee guidance and other areas within GAAP. This guidance becomes effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 30, 2018. Early application is permitted. This guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis for leases existing at, or entered into after, the earliest period presented in the financial statements. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new leasing guidance.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which prescribes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. There are two transition options available to entities: the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Under the full retrospective approach, the Company would restate prior periods in compliance with Accounting Standards Codification 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” Alternatively, the Company may elect the modified retrospective approach, which allows for the new revenue standard to be applied to existing contracts as of the effective date and record a cumulative catch-up adjustment to retained earnings. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017. Subsequently, in March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB also issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance on identifying promised goods or services when identifying a performance obligation and improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the guidance to address certain issues on assessing collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition.The amendments in ASU 2014-09, 2016-10, and 2016-12 do not change the core principle of ASU 2014-09. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the new revenue guidance.
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not specifically identified in our disclosures are either not applicable to the Company or not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Our marketable debt securities consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
December 27, 2015

Short-term marketable securities
 
 
 
 
U.S Treasury securities
 
$
220,194

 
$
184,278

Corporate debt securities
 
159,846

 
185,561

U.S. governmental agency securities
 
88,722

 
65,222

Municipal securities
 

 
1,363

Certificates of deposit
 
21,301

 
60,244

Commercial paper
 
99,002

 
10,971

Total short-term marketable securities
 
$
589,065

 
$
507,639

Long-term marketable securities
 
 
 
 
U.S. governmental agency securities
 
$
111,254

 
$
150,583

Corporate debt securities
 
72,817

 
119,784

U.S Treasury securities
 
14,790

 
20,769

Total long-term marketable securities
 
$
198,861

 
$
291,136


7


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

As of September 25, 2016, our short-term and long-term marketable securities had remaining maturities of less than 1 month to 12 months and 13 months to 36 months, respectively. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value of our marketable securities.
NOTE 4. GOODWILL
During the first and third quarters of 2016, the Company acquired two digital marketing agencies, HelloSociety, LLC and Fake Love, LLC for $15.4 million. The Company allocated the purchase prices based on the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting in allocations to goodwill, intangibles, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets. Intangible assets have been included in “Miscellaneous Assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, including goodwill purchased in 2016 as part of the acquisitions of the digital marketing agencies, as of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015 were as follows:
(In thousands)
 
Total Company
Balance as of December 27, 2015
 
$
109,085

Business acquisitions
 
12,294

Foreign currency translation
 
1,561

Balance as of September 25, 2016
 
$
122,940

The foreign currency translation line item reflects changes in goodwill resulting from fluctuating exchange rates related to the consolidation of certain international subsidiaries.
NOTE 5. INVESTMENTS
Equity Method Investments
As of September 25, 2016, our investments in joint ventures consisted of equity ownership interests in the following entities:
Company
 
 
 
Approximate %
Ownership
Donohue Malbaie Inc.
 
 
 
49
%
Madison Paper Industries
 
 
 
40
%
Women in the World Media, LLC
 
 
 
30
%
We have investments in Donohue Malbaie Inc. (“Malbaie”), a Canadian newsprint company, Madison Paper Industries (“Madison”), a partnership that operated a supercalendered paper mill in Maine, and Women in the World Media, LLC, a live-event conference business.
Our Company and UPM-Kymmene Corporation (“UPM”), a Finnish paper manufacturing company, are partners through subsidiary companies in Madison. The Company’s 40% ownership of Madison is through an 80%-owned consolidated subsidiary which owns 50% of Madison. UPM owns 60% of Madison, including a 10% interest through a 20% noncontrolling interest in the consolidated subsidiary of the Company. In March 2016, UPM announced the closure of the paper mill, which occurred in May 2016. During the first nine months of 2016, we recognized a $46.7 million loss from joint ventures, of which $43.5 million related to the announced closure of the paper mill. Our proportionate share of the loss is reduced by the 20% noncontrolling interest. As a result of the mill closure, we wrote our investment down to zero and recorded a liability of $31.9 million, reflecting our share of the losses incurred to date by Madison. These amounts are presented in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s joint venture in Madison is currently being liquidated and a plan is in place to sell assets (including hydro power assets) at the mill site. We believe the proceeds from the sale of the hydro power assets will be more than sufficient to cover Madison’s obligations and therefore allow us to reverse our liability, and we do not currently expect that the Company will be required to use significant cash in the wind down of this investment.
We received no distributions from our equity method investments during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015.
We purchase newsprint from Malbaie, and previously purchased supercalendered paper from Madison, at competitive prices. Such purchases totaled $3.7 million and $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $10.3 million and $8.8 million for the first nine-months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

8


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table presents summarized income statement information for Madison, which follows a calendar year:
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2016

 
September 30, 2015

Revenues
 
$
40,523

 
$
93,490

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
68,039

 
84,445

General and administrative
 
66,056

 
15,363

 
 
134,095

 
99,808

Operating loss
 
(93,572
)
 
(6,318
)
Other income
 
4

 
3
Net loss
 
$
(93,568
)
 
$
(6,315
)
Cost Method Investments
The aggregate carrying amounts of cost method investments included in “Miscellaneous assets’’ in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were $13.9 million and $11.9 million for September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, respectively.
NOTE 6. DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Our current indebtedness includes senior notes and the repurchase option related to a sale-leaseback of a portion of our New York headquarters. Our total debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
September 25, 2016

 
December 27, 2015

Senior notes due in December 2016:
 
 
 
 
Principal amount
 
$
189,170

 
$
189,170

Less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 6.625%
 
177

 
793

Total senior notes due in 2016
 
188,993

 
188,377

Option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building in 2019:
 
 
 
 
Principal amount
 
250,000

 
250,000

Less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 13.0%
 
10,852

 
13,905

Total option to repurchase ownership interest in headquarters building in 2019
 
239,148

 
236,095

Capital lease obligations
 
6,774

 
6,756

Total debt and capital lease obligations
 
434,915

 
431,228

Less current portion
 
188,993

 
188,377

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations
 
$
245,922

 
$
242,851

See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value of our long-term debt.
“Interest expense, net,” as shown in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

Interest expense
 
$
10,022

 
$
9,919

 
$
29,964

 
$
32,008

Amortization of debt costs and discount on debt
 
1,226

 
1,180

 
3,670

 
3,540

Capitalized interest
 
(131
)
 
(85
)
 
(412
)
 
(242
)
Interest income
 
(2,085
)
 
(1,887
)
 
(6,267
)
 
(4,211
)
Total interest expense, net
 
$
9,032

 
$
9,127

 
$
26,955

 
$
31,095


9


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 7. OTHER
Streamlining of International Print Operations
On April 26, 2016, we informed employees of proposed measures intended to streamline our international print operations and support future growth efforts. These measures included a redesign of our international print newspaper and the relocation of certain editing and production operations from Paris to our locations in Hong Kong and New York. As of September 25, 2016, we incurred $14.8 million of total costs related to these measures, primarily related to relocation and severance-related charges. We expect to incur approximately $0.5 million of additional costs in the fourth quarter of 2016 in connection with these measures. Cash disbursements are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Severance Costs
We recognized severance costs, other than those associated with the streamlining of the Company’s international print operations, of $13.0 million and $1.0 million in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $18.3 million and $4.4 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Severance costs in the third quarter of 2016 were in connection with a voluntary buyout program offered to certain employees. These costs are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative costs” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We had a severance liability of $33.8 million (inclusive of severance liabilities in connection with the streamlining of our international print operations) and $14.9 million included in “Accrued expenses and other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, respectively.
Advertising Expenses
Advertising expenses incurred to promote our consumer and marketing services were $22.3 million and $20.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $63.6 million and $63.1 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Capitalized Computer Software Costs
Amortization of capitalized computer software costs included in “Depreciation and amortization” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $2.8 million and $2.9 million in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $8.5 million and $8.9 million in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE 8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The transaction would be in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, based on assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels:
Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2–inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3–unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
Assets/Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes our financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015:
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016
 
December 27, 2015
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Deferred compensation
 
$
30,594

 
$
30,594

 
$

 
$

 
$
35,578

 
$
35,578

 
$

 
$

The deferred compensation liability, included in “Other liabilities—Other” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, consists of deferrals under The New York Times Company Deferred Executive Compensation Plan (the “DEC”), which enables certain eligible executives to elect to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis. The deferred amounts are invested at the executives’ option in various mutual funds. The fair value of deferred compensation is based on the mutual fund investments elected by the executives and on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Participation in the DEC was frozen effective December 31, 2015.

10


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Reported, at Fair Value
Our marketable securities, which include U.S. Treasury securities, corporate debt securities, U.S. government agency securities, municipal securities, certificates of deposit and commercial paper, are recorded at amortized cost (see Note 3). As of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, the amortized cost approximated fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these investments. We classified these investments as Level 2 since the fair value estimates are based on market observable inputs for investments with similar terms and maturities.
The carrying value of our long-term debt was $239 million as of September 25, 2016 and $236 million as of December 27, 2015. The fair value of our long-term debt was $307 million and $316 million as of September 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, respectively. We estimate the fair value of our debt utilizing market quotations for debt that have quoted prices in active markets. Since our debt does not trade on a daily basis in an active market, the fair value estimates are based on market observable inputs based on borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and average maturities (Level 2).
NOTE 9. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Pension
Single-Employer Plans
We sponsor several single-employer defined benefit pension plans, the majority of which have been frozen. We also participate in two joint Company and Guild-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees who are members of The NewsGuild of New York, including The Newspaper Guild of New York - The New York Times Pension Fund, which was frozen in 2012 and replaced by a successor plan, The Guild-Times Adjustable Pension Plan.
The components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
 
September 25, 2016
 
September 27, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Qualified
Plans
 
Non-
Qualified
Plans
 
All
Plans
 
Qualified
Plans
 
Non-
Qualified
Plans
 
All
Plans
Service cost
 
$
2,248

 
$

 
$
2,248

 
$
2,989

 
$

 
$
2,989

Interest cost
 
16,573

 
2,034

 
18,607

 
18,514

 
2,502

 
21,016

Expected return on plan assets
 
(27,790
)
 

 
(27,790
)
 
(28,832
)
 

 
(28,832
)
Amortization of actuarial loss
 
7,069

 
1,054

 
8,123

 
9,478

 
1,271

 
10,749

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(487
)
 

 
(487
)
 
(487
)
 

 
(487
)
Net periodic pension (income)/cost
 
$
(2,387
)
 
$
3,088

 
$
701

 
$
1,662

 
$
3,773

 
$
5,435

 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 25, 2016
 
September 27, 2015
(In thousands)
 
Qualified
Plans
 
Non-
Qualified
Plans
 
All
Plans
 
Qualified
Plans
 
Non-
Qualified
Plans
 
All
Plans
Service cost
 
$
6,743

 
$

 
$
6,743

 
$
8,964

 
$

 
$
8,964

Interest cost
 
49,720

 
6,102

 
55,822

 
55,966

 
7,506

 
63,472

Expected return on plan assets
 
(83,369
)
 

 
(83,369
)
 
(86,439
)
 

 
(86,439
)
Amortization of actuarial loss
 
21,206

 
3,160

 
24,366

 
28,354

 
3,811

 
32,165

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(1,459
)
 

 
(1,459
)
 
(1,459
)
 

 
(1,459
)
Effect of settlement
 

 

 

 
40,329

 

 
40,329

Net periodic pension (income)/cost
 
$
(7,159
)
 
$
9,262

 
$
2,103

 
$
45,715

 
$
11,317

 
$
57,032

During the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, we made pension contributions of $6.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively, to certain qualified pension plans. We expect to make total contributions of $7.8 million in 2016 to satisfy funding requirements.
In the first quarter of 2016, we changed the methodology used to calculate the service and interest components of net

11


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

periodic benefit cost for retirement plans to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs. Historically, we calculated these service and interest components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, we elected to utilize an approach that discounts the individual expected cash flows using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve over the projected cash flow period. We have accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate that is inseparable from a change in accounting principle and accordingly have accounted for it prospectively.
As part of our strategy to reduce the pension obligations and the resulting volatility of our overall financial condition, we have offered lump-sum payments to certain former employees participating in both our qualified and non-qualified pension plans. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company extended a voluntary offer to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans to receive immediate lump-sum payments. The election period for this voluntary offer closes on November 14, 2016.
In the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a pension settlement charge of $40.3 million in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans. These lump-sum payments totaled $98.3 million and were made with cash from the qualified pension plans, not with Company cash. The effect of this lump-sum payment offer was to reduce our pension obligations by $142.8 million.
Multiemployer Plans
During the third quarter of 2016, we received $5.0 million in connection with an ongoing arbitration matter related to a multiemployer pension plan. In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded a charge of $11.7 million related to partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan in connection with the same arbitration matter. See Note 14 for additional information with respect to the arbitration matter.
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $4.7 million charge for a partial withdrawal obligation under another multiemployer pension plan.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit income were as follows:
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

Service cost
 
$
104

 
$
148

 
$
313

 
$
442

Interest cost
 
495

 
688

 
1,485

 
2,065

Amortization of actuarial loss
 
1,026

 
1,303

 
3,078

 
3,909

Amortization of prior service credit
 
(2,110
)
 
(2,399
)
 
(6,330
)
 
(7,349
)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income
 
$
(485
)
 
$
(260
)
 
$
(1,454
)
 
$
(933
)
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES
The Company had income tax expense of $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 and an income tax benefit of $9.0 million in the first nine months of 2016. The Company had income tax expense of $3.6 million and $5.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively. The income tax benefit in the first nine months of 2016 was due to the $22.8 million loss from continuing operations before taxes for that period.
NOTE 11. EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE
We compute earnings/(loss) per share using a two-class method, an earnings allocation method used when a company’s capital structure includes either two or more classes of common stock or common stock and participating securities. This method determines earnings/(loss) per share based on dividends declared on common stock and participating securities (i.e., distributed earnings), as well as participation rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings.
Earnings/(loss) per share is computed using both basic shares and diluted shares. The difference between basic and diluted shares is that diluted shares include the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of outstanding securities. Our stock options, stock-settled long-term performance awards and restricted stock units could have the most significant impact on diluted shares. The decrease in our basic shares is primarily due to repurchases of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

12


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Securities that could potentially be dilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share when a loss from continuing operations exists or when the exercise price exceeds the market value of our Class A Common Stock, because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts.
The number of stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive was approximately 5 million and 6 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, and approximately 5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015.
NOTE 12. SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY INFORMATION
Stockholders’ equity is summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
 
Total New York Times Company Stockholders’ Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance as of December 27, 2015
 
$
826,751

 
$
1,704

 
$
828,455

Net loss
 
(8,076
)
 
(5,719
)
 
(13,795
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
13,273

 

 
13,273

Effect of issuance of shares
 
(9,298
)
 

 
(9,298
)
Share repurchases
 
(15,056
)
 

 
(15,056
)
Dividends declared
 
(19,414
)
 

 
(19,414
)
Stock-based compensation
 
9,006

 

 
9,006

Balance as of September 25, 2016
 
$
797,186

 
$
(4,015
)
 
$
793,171

(In thousands)
 
Total New York Times Company Stockholders’ Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance as of December 28, 2014
 
$
726,328

 
$
2,021

 
$
728,349

Net income/(loss)
 
11,553

 
(390
)
 
11,163

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
36,282

 
51

 
36,333

Effect of issuance of shares
 
100,624

 

 
100,624

Share repurchases
 
(45,953
)
 

 
(45,953
)
Dividends declared
 
(19,926
)
 

 
(19,926
)
Stock-based compensation
 
7,930

 

 
7,930

Balance as of September 27, 2015
 
$
816,838

 
$
1,682

 
$
818,520

In January 2009, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, we issued warrants to affiliates of Carlos Slim Helú, then the beneficial owner of approximately 8% of our Class A Common Stock (excluding the warrants), to purchase 15.9 million shares of our Class A Common Stock at a price of $6.3572 per share. On January 14, 2015, the warrant holders exercised these warrants in full and the Company received cash proceeds of $101.1 million from this exercise.
On January 13, 2015, the Board of Directors terminated an existing authorization to repurchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approved a new repurchase authorization of $101.1 million, equal to the cash proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of warrants. As of September 25, 2016, the Company had repurchased 6,690,905 Class A shares under this authorization for a cost of $84.9 million (excluding commissions) and $16.2 million remained. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase shares under this authorization from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors. There is no expiration date with respect to this authorization.

13


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI by component as of September 25, 2016:
(In thousands)
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Funded Status of Benefit Plans
 
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 27, 2015
 
$
17

 
$
(509,111
)
 
$
(509,094
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, before tax(1)
 
2,110

 

 
2,110

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax(1)
 

 
19,655

 
19,655

Income tax expense(1)
 
671

 
7,821

 
8,492

Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
1,439

 
11,834

 
13,273

Balance as of September 25, 2016
 
$
1,456

 
$
(497,277
)
 
$
(495,821
)
(1) 
All amounts are shown net of noncontrolling interest.
The following table summarizes the reclassifications from AOCI for the nine months ended September 25, 2016:
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Detail about accumulated other comprehensive loss components
 
 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
Affect line item in the statement where net income is presented
Funded status of benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit(1)
 
$
(7,789
)
 
Selling, general & administrative costs
Amortization of actuarial loss(1)
 
27,444

 
Selling, general & administrative costs
Total reclassification, before tax(2)
 
19,655

 
 
Income tax expense
 
7,821

 
Income tax (benefit)/expense
Total reclassification, net of tax
 
$
11,834

 
 
(1) 
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other retirement benefits. See Note 9 for additional information.
(2) 
There were no reclassifications relating to noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended September 25, 2016.
NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have one reportable segment that includes The New York Times, NYTimes.com and related businesses. Therefore, all required segment information can be found in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our operating segment generated revenues principally from circulation and advertising. Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, rental income, our NYT Live business and e-commerce.
NOTE 14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Restricted Cash
We were required to maintain $24.9 million of restricted cash as of September 25, 2016 and $28.7 million as of December 27, 2015, the majority of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.
Newspaper and Mail Deliverers–Publishers’ Pension Fund
In September 2013, the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers-Publishers’ Pension Fund (the “NMDU Fund”) assessed a partial withdrawal liability against the Company in the amount of approximately $26 million for the plan years ending May 31, 2012 and 2013 (the “Initial Assessment”), an amount that was increased to approximately $34 million in December 2014, when the NMDU Fund issued a revised partial withdrawal liability assessment for the plan year ending May 31, 2013 (the “Revised Assessment”). The NMDU Fund claimed that when City & Suburban Delivery Systems, Inc., a retail and newsstand distribution subsidiary of the Company and the largest contributor to the NMDU Fund, ceased operations in 2009, it triggered a decline of more than 70% in contribution base units in each of these two plan years.
The Company disagreed with both the NMDU Fund’s determination that a partial withdrawal occurred and the methodology by which it calculated the withdrawal liability, and the parties engaged in arbitration proceedings to resolve the

14


THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

matter. However, as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Company continued to make the quarterly payments to the NMDU Fund set forth in the demand letters.
On June 14, 2016, the arbitrator issued an interim award and opinion that supported the NMDU Fund’s determination that a partial withdrawal had occurred in each of the two plan years. The arbitrator agreed with the methodology by which the NMDU Fund calculated the Initial Assessment, but concluded that the NMDU Fund’s calculation of the Revised Assessment was overstated by $7.5 million. During the third quarter of 2016, the NMDU Fund returned $5.0 million in principal and interest previously paid by the Company related to the Revised Assessment.
The Company expects to appeal the arbitrator’s decision following the issuance of the final award and opinion. As a result of the interim decision, the Company had a liability of $10.5 million as of the third quarter of 2016. Management believes it is reasonably possible that the total loss in this matter could exceed the liability established by a range of zero to approximately $10 million.
As of September 25, 2016, we have paid $10.8 million since the receipt of the initial demand letter, including $2.7 million in 2016 (net of the reimbursement discussed above). The Company will continue to make required payments during the pendency of the appeal.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corporation
The Company is involved in class action litigation brought on behalf of individuals who, from 2006 to 2011, delivered newspapers at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corporation ​(“Worcester”), a subsidiary of the Company.  The plaintiffs are asserting several claims against Worcester, including a challenge to their classification as independent contractors, and seek unspecified damages. In April 2016, the parties engaged in an unsuccessful mediation process to resolve the litigation. ​The Company believes that the claims made by the plaintiffs are without merit and continues to vigorously defend its position. The Company is unable to estimate a loss or range of possible losses at this time.
Other
We are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business that are now pending against us. These actions are generally for amounts greatly in excess of the payments, if any, that may be required to be made. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome in one or more matters could be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for an individual reporting period. However, based on currently available information, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.
NOTE 15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
During the third quarter of 2016, the Company extended a voluntary offer to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans to receive immediate lump-sum payments. The election period for this voluntary offer closes on November 14, 2016.
On October 24, 2016, the Company acquired Submarine Leisure Club, Inc., which owns the product review and recommendation websites The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, in an all-cash transaction. We paid $25.0 million, including a payment made for a non-compete agreement. In connection with the transaction, we also entered into a consulting agreement and retention agreements that will likely require payments over the three years following the acquisition.





15



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
We are a global media organization that includes newspapers, print and digital products and investments. We have one reportable segment with businesses that include our newspapers, websites, mobile applications and related businesses.
We generate revenues principally from circulation and advertising. Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from news services/syndication, digital archives, rental income, our NYT Live business and e-commerce. Our main operating costs are employee-related costs.
In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we present certain information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are presenting in this report supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measures that exclude depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and certain identified special items, as applicable. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and should be read in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. For further information and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see “Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Financial Highlights
For the third quarter of 2016, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.00, compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.06 for the third quarter of 2015. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below (or “adjusted diluted earnings per share,” a non-GAAP measure) were $0.06 and $0.09 for the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company had an operating profit of $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2015. The decline was driven by severance costs incurred in connection with a voluntary buyout program as well as lower print advertising revenues and higher advertising and technology costs. Operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items discussed below (or “adjusted operating profit,” a non-GAAP measure) was $39.2 million and $47.6 million for the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Total revenues decreased 1.0% to $363.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 from $367.4 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Circulation revenues increased 3.0% in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, as digital subscription growth and a print home-delivery price increase for The New York Times newspaper more than offset a decline in the number of print copies sold. Circulation revenues from our digital-only subscriptions (which includes news product and Crossword product subscriptions), e-readers and replica editions increased 16.4% to $58.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015. Circulation revenue from digital-only subscriptions to our news products increased 15.4% to $56.1 million.
Paid digital-only subscriptions totaled approximately 1,557,000 as of the end of the third quarter of 2016, a 30% increase compared to the end of the third quarter of 2015. Paid digital-only subscriptions to our news products totaled approximately 1,332,000, a 28% increase compared to the end of the third quarter of 2015.
Advertising revenues remained under pressure during the third quarter of 2016. Total advertising revenues decreased 7.7% in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, reflecting a 18.5% decrease in print advertising revenues and a 21.4% increase in digital advertising revenues. The decrease in print advertising revenues resulted primarily from a continued decline in display advertising. The increase in digital advertising revenues primarily reflected increases in revenue from our mobile platform, our programmatic buying channels and branded content, partially offset by a decrease in traditional website display advertising.
Compared with the third quarter of 2015, other revenues increased 1.0% in the third quarter of 2016, driven primarily by increased revenues from the Company’s NYT Live business.
Operating costs increased in the third quarter of 2016 to $356.6 million from $345.5 million in the third quarter of 2015, largely due to higher severance, advertising and technology costs, partially offset by lower print production and distribution costs and lower non-operating retirement costs. Operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs (or “adjusted operating costs,” a non-GAAP measure) increased in the third quarter of 2016 to $324.4 million from $319.8 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Non-operating retirement costs decreased to $3.8 million during the third quarter of 2016 from $9.4 million in the third quarter of 2015, driven by a change in the methodology of calculating the discount rate applied to retirement costs.

16



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents our consolidated financial results:
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

Revenues
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Circulation
 
$
217,099

 
$
210,705

 
3.0
 %
 
$
654,573

 
$
636,626

 
2.8
 %
Advertising
 
124,898

 
135,356

 
(7.7
)%
 
395,733

 
433,863

 
(8.8
)%
Other
 
21,550

 
21,343

 
1.0
 %
 
65,386

 
64,040

 
2.1
 %
Total revenues
 
363,547

 
367,404

 
(1.0
)%
 
1,115,692

 
1,134,529

 
(1.7
)%
Operating costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production costs:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Wages and benefits
 
91,041

 
88,999

 
2.3
 %
 
274,142

 
268,667

 
2.0
 %
Raw materials
 
18,228

 
18,400

 
(0.9
)%
 
53,115

 
57,025

 
(6.9
)%
Other
 
47,347

 
44,632

 
6.1
 %
 
139,938

 
135,748

 
3.1
 %
Total production costs
 
156,616

 
152,031

 
3.0
 %
 
467,195

 
461,440

 
1.2
 %
Selling, general and administrative costs
 
184,596

 
178,071

 
3.7
 %
 
534,911

 
533,120

 
0.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
15,384

 
15,369

 
0.1
 %
 
46,003

 
46,023

 
 %
Total operating costs
 
356,596

 
345,471

 
3.2
 %
 
1,048,109

 
1,040,583

 
0.7
 %
Restructuring charge
 
2,949

 

 
*

 
14,804

 

 
*

Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal (income)/expense
 
(4,971
)
 

 
*

 
6,730

 
4,697

 
43.3
 %
Pension settlement charges
 

 

 
*

 

 
40,329

 
*

Operating profit
 
8,973

 
21,933

 
(59.1
)%
 
46,049

 
48,920

 
(5.9
)%
Income/(loss) from joint ventures
 
463

 
170

 
*

 
(41,845
)
 
(758
)
 
*

Interest expense, net
 
9,032

 
9,127

 
(1.0
)%
 
26,955

 
31,095

 
(13.3
)%
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
404

 
12,976

 
(96.9
)%
 
(22,751
)
 
17,067

 
*

Income tax expense/(benefit)
 
121

 
3,611

 
(96.6
)%
 
(8,956
)
 
5,904

 
*

Net income/(loss)
 
283

 
9,365

 
(97.0
)%
 
(13,795
)
 
11,163

 
*

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
 
123

 
50

 
*

 
5,719

 
390

 
*

Net income/(loss) attributable to The New York Times Company common stockholders
 
$
406

 
$
9,415

 
(95.7
)%
 
$
(8,076
)
 
$
11,553

 
*

* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.

17



Revenues
Circulation Revenues
Total circulation revenues consist of revenues from our print and digital products, including our digital-only subscription packages, e-readers and replica editions. These revenues are based on the number of copies of the printed newspaper sold (through home-delivery subscriptions and single-copy and bulk sales) and digital-only subscriptions and the rates charged to the respective customers. All print home-delivery subscribers receive unlimited digital access.
In the first quarter of 2016, the Company reclassified the subscription revenue from its Crossword product, including prior period information, into circulation revenues from other revenues. The following tables summarize 2016 and 2015 digital-only subscription revenues reflecting this reclassification:
 
 
For the Quarter Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
% Change vs. 2015
 
September 25, 2016

 
% Change vs. 2015
Digital-only subscription revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Digital-only news product subscription revenues
 
$
56,144

 
15.4
%
 
$
162,344

 
14.1
%
   Digital Crossword product subscription revenues
 
2,408

 
47.7
%
 
6,778

 
53.2
%
Total digital-only subscription revenues
 
$
58,552

 
16.4
%
 
$
169,122

 
15.3
%
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
For the Year Ended
(In thousands)
 
March 29, 2015

 
June 28, 2015

 
September 27, 2015

 
December 27, 2015

 
December 27, 2015

Digital-only subscription revenues:
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
   Digital-only news product subscription revenues
 
$
46,127

 
$
47,465

 
$
48,656

 
$
50,409

 
$
192,657

   Digital Crossword product subscription revenues
 
1,323

 
1,470

 
1,630

 
1,863

 
6,286

Total digital-only subscription revenues
 
$
47,450

 
$
48,935

 
$
50,286

 
$
52,272

 
$
198,943

Consistent with this reclassification, the Company also adjusted the number of digital-only subscriptions to include Crossword product subscriptions. The following tables summarize 2016 and 2015 digital-only subscriptions:
 
 
2016
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016
 
% Change vs. 2015

Digital-only subscriptions:
 
 
 
 
Digital-only news product subscriptions
 
1,332

 
28.0
%
Digital Crossword product subscriptions
 
225

 
41.5
%
Total digital-only subscriptions
 
1,557

 
29.8
%
 
 
2015
(In thousands)
 
March 29, 2015

 
June 28, 2015

 
September 27, 2015

 
December 27, 2015

Digital-only subscriptions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital-only news product subscriptions
 
957

 
990

 
1,041

 
1,094

Digital Crossword product subscriptions
 
142

 
145

 
159

 
176

Total digital-only subscriptions
 
1,099

 
1,135

 
1,200

 
1,270

Circulation revenues increased 3.0% in the third quarter and 2.8% in the first nine months of 2016 compared with the same prior-year periods, primarily due to growth in our digital subscription base and an increase in print home-delivery prices

18



for The New York Times newspaper, offset by a reduction in the number of print copies sold. Revenues from our digital-only subscriptions (including e-readers and replica editions) were $58.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $169.1 million in the first nine months of 2016, an increase of 16.4% and 15.3% from the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively.
Advertising Revenues
Advertising revenues are derived from the sale of our advertising products and services on our print, web and mobile platforms. These revenues are primarily determined by the volume, rate and mix of advertisements. Display advertising revenue is principally from advertisers promoting products, services or brands in print in the form of column-inch ads, and on our web and mobile platforms in the form of banners, video, rich media and other interactive ads. Classified advertising revenue includes line-ads sold in the major categories of real estate, help wanted, automotive and other. Other advertising revenue primarily includes creative services fees associated with, among other things, our branded content studio; revenue from preprinted advertising, also known as free-standing inserts and revenue generated from branded bags in which our newspapers are delivered.
Advertising revenues (print and digital) by category were as follows:
 
 
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

Display
 
 
 
 
 
$
110,889

 
$
121,933

 
(9.1
)%
Classified
 
 
 
 
 
6,941

 
8,435

 
(17.7
)%
Other
 
 
 
 
 
7,068

 
4,988

 
41.7
 %
Total
 
 
 
 
 
$
124,898

 
$
135,356

 
(7.7
)%
 
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

Display
 
 
 
 
 
$
353,356

 
$
393,871

 
(10.3
)%
Classified
 
 
 
 
 
22,892

 
26,055

 
(12.1
)%
Other
 
 
 
 
 
19,485

 
13,937

 
39.8
 %
Total
 
 
 
 
 
$
395,733

 
$
433,863

 
(8.8
)%
Below is a percentage breakdown of advertising revenues (print and digital) for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Display
 
Classified
 
Other
 
Total
2016
 
89
%
 
6
%
 
5
%
 
100
%
2015
 
91
%
 
6
%
 
3
%
 
100
%
Print advertising revenues, which represented 64.5% of total advertising revenues for the third quarter of 2016 and 66.9% of total advertising revenues for the first nine months of 2016, declined 18.5% and 13.7% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared with the same prior-year periods. The decline in both periods was primarily due to a continued decline in display advertising, primarily in the luxury goods, entertainment and technology categories.
Digital advertising revenues, which represented 35.5% of total advertising revenues for the third quarter of 2016 and 33.1% of total advertising revenues for the first nine months of 2016, increased 21.4% and 3.1% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively, compared with the same prior-year periods. The increase in both periods was primarily due to increases in revenue from our mobile platform, our programmatic buying channels and branded content, partially offset by declines in traditional website display advertising.
Other Revenues
Other revenues increased 1.0% in the third quarter of 2016 and 2.1% in the first nine months of 2016, compared with the same prior-year periods, primarily due to growth in revenues from our NYT Live business.

19



Operating Costs
Operating costs were as follows:
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
(In thousands)
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change

Production costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wages and benefits
 
$
91,041

 
$
88,999

 
2.3
 %
 
$
274,142

 
$
268,667

 
2.0
 %
Raw materials
 
18,228

 
18,400

 
(0.9
)%
 
53,115

 
57,025

 
(6.9
)%
Other
 
47,347

 
44,632

 
6.1
 %
 
139,938

 
135,748

 
3.1
 %
Total production costs
 
156,616

 
152,031

 
3.0
 %
 
467,195

 
461,440

 
1.2
 %
Selling, general and administrative costs
 
184,596

 
178,071

 
3.7
 %
 
534,911

 
533,120

 
0.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
15,384

 
15,369

 
0.1
 %
 
46,003

 
46,023

 
 %
Total operating costs
 
$
356,596

 
$
345,471

 
3.2
 %
 
$
1,048,109

 
$
1,040,583

 
0.7
 %
Production Costs
Total production costs increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, driven by an increase in other expense ($2.7 million) and wages and benefits ($2.0 million), offset by a decrease in raw materials expense ($0.2 million). Other expenses increased primarily as a result of higher outside services costs. Wages and benefits increased as a result of increased headcount to support our growth initiatives. Raw materials expense decreased as a result of a 0.3% decline in newsprint expense in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, with 5.4% from lower consumption, offset by 5.1% from higher pricing. The decline was also impacted by a 7.6% decrease in magazine paper expense in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, with 4.5% from lower consumption and 3.1% from lower pricing.
Total production costs increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared with the first nine months of 2015, primarily due to an increase in wages and benefits expenses ($5.5 million) and other expenses ($4.2 million), partially offset by a decrease in raw materials expense ($4.0 million). Wages and benefits expenses increased as a result of increased headcount to support our growth initiatives. Other expenses increased primarily as a result of higher outside service costs. Raw materials expense decreased as a result of a 9.0% decline in newsprint expense in the first nine months of 2016 compared with the first nine months of 2015, with 5.2% from lower consumption and 3.8% from lower pricing. The decline was also impacted by a 3.1% decrease in magazine paper expense in the first nine months of 2016 compared with the first nine months of 2015, with 2.0% from lower consumption and 1.1% from lower pricing,
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
Selling, general and administrative costs increased in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter of 2015, primarily due to an increase in severance costs ($12.0 million), offset by a decrease in non-operating retirement costs ($5.5 million). Severance costs increased due to a voluntary buyout program offer to certain employees in the third quarter of 2016.
Selling, general and administrative costs increased in the first nine months of 2016 compared with the first nine months of 2015 primarily due to an increase in severance costs ($13.9 million) and compensation costs ($8.5 million), offset by decreases in non-operating retirement costs ($13.6 million) and distribution costs ($4.2 million), outside service costs ($1.0 million) and other expenses ($2.3 million). Severance costs increased due to a voluntary buyout program offer to certain employees in the third quarter of 2016. Compensation costs increased primarily as a result of increased hiring to support growth initiatives. Distribution costs decreased primarily as a result of fewer print copies produced and transportation efficiencies.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization costs were flat in the third quarter of 2016 and first nine months of 2016 compared with the same prior year periods.
Other Items
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding other items.

20



NON-OPERATING ITEMS
Joint Ventures
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our joint venture investments.
Interest Expense, Net
See Note 6 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding interest expense.
Income Taxes
See Note 10 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We have included in this report certain supplemental financial information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures in this report:
diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and the impact of special items (or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations);
operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit); and
operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs (or adjusted operating costs).
The special items in 2016 consisted of:
a $2.9 million ($1.8 million after tax or $.01 per share) charge and an $11.9 million ($7.1 million after tax or $.04 per share) charge in connection with the streamlining of the Company’s international print operations (primarily consisting of severance costs) in the third and second quarters, respectively;
an $11.7 million ($7.0 million after tax or $.04 per share) charge for a partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan in the second quarter, $5.0 million ($3.0 million after tax or $.02 per share) of which was reimbursed to the Company in the third quarter; and
a $41.4 million ($20.1 million after tax and net of the noncontrolling interest or $.13 per share) loss from joint ventures in the first quarter related to the announced closure of a paper mill operated by Madison Paper Industries, in which the Company has an investment through a subsidiary.
The special items in 2015 consisted of:
a $40.3 million ($24.0 million after tax or $.15 per share) pension settlement charge in the first quarter in connection with a lump-sum payment offer made to certain former employees who participated in certain qualified pension plans; and
a $4.7 million ($2.8 million after tax or $.02 per share) charge in the first quarter for a partial withdrawal obligation under a multiemployer pension plan.
We have included these non-GAAP financial measures because management reviews them on a regular basis and uses them to evaluate and manage the performance of our operations. We believe that, for the reasons outlined below, these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors as a supplement to reported diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations, operating profit/(loss) and operating costs. However, these measures should be evaluated only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as alternative or superior measures of GAAP results.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share provides useful information in evaluating our period-to-period performance because it eliminates items that we do not consider to be indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. Adjusted operating profit is useful in evaluating the ongoing performance of our businesses as it excludes the significant non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization as well as items not indicative of ongoing operating activities. Total operating costs include depreciation, amortization, severance and non-operating retirement costs. Adjusted operating costs, which exclude these items, provide investors with helpful supplemental information on our underlying operating costs that is used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.

21



Management considers special items, which may include impairment charges, pension settlement charges and other items that arise from time to time, to be outside the ordinary course of our operations. Management believes that excluding these items provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operating performance and allows more accurate comparisons of the Company’s operating results to historical performance. In addition, management excludes severance costs, which may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, because it believes these costs do not necessarily reflect expected future operating costs and do not contribute to a meaningful comparison of the Company’s operating results to historical performance.
Non-operating retirement costs include:
interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial gain and loss components of pension expense;
interest cost and amortization of actuarial gain and loss components of retiree medical expense; and
all expenses associated with multiemployer pension plan withdrawal obligations, not otherwise included as special items.
These non-operating retirement costs are primarily tied to financial market performance and changes in market interest rates and investment performance. Non-operating retirement costs do not include service costs and amortization of prior service costs for pension and retiree medical benefits, which we believe reflect the ongoing operating costs of providing pension and retiree medical benefits to our employees. We consider non-operating retirement costs to be outside the performance of our ongoing core business operations and believe that presenting operating results excluding non-operating retirement costs, in addition to our GAAP operating results, will provide increased transparency and a better understanding of the underlying trends in our operating business performance.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures from, respectively, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, operating profit and operating costs, the most directly comparable GAAP items, as well as details on the components of non-operating retirement costs, are set out in the tables below.
Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change
 
September 25, 2016

 
September 27, 2015

 
% Change
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share from continuing operations
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.06

 
*

 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.07

 
*

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Severance
 
0.08

 
0.01

 
*

 
0.11

 
0.03

 
*

Non-operating retirement costs
 
0.02

 
0.06

 
(66.7
)%
 
0.08

 
0.16

 
(50.0
)%
Special items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charge
 
0.02

 

 
*

 
0.09

 

 
*

Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal (income)/expense
 
(0.03
)
 

 
*

 
0.04

 
0.03

 
33.3
 %
Loss from joint ventures, net of tax and noncontrolling interest
 

 

 
*

 
0.21

 

 
*

Pension settlement charge
 

 

 
*

 

 
0.24

 
*

Income tax expense of special items
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.02
)
 
*

 
(0.21
)
 
(0.18
)