Press Releases

Hero image
For immediate release
4/10/95

First Quarter 1995 Earnings

ARLINGTON, Va. — Gannett earned 62 cents per share in the first quarter of 1995, a gain of 15 percent over 1994 earnings of 54 cents per share.

Approximately 140 million common shares were outstanding in the 1995 quarter, compared to 147 million shares a year ago.

Net income advanced 10 percent to $86,206,000, compared to $78,711,000 in 1994. Operating revenues gained 4 percent to $913,820,000, from $876,625,000 in the year-earlier quarter. Operating income was 10 percent higher at $157,167,000. In the first quarter of 1994, operating income was $142,456,000.

In a statement, the company said each division reported improved results in the quarter. Newspaper earnings advanced, reflecting the impact of strong classified advertising, tempered by higher newsprint costs. Broadcasting reported a strong earnings gain, despite a program cost adjustment related to the pending change of affiliation by KUSA-TV in Denver to NBC later this year. Outdoor’s seasonal loss was significantly lower due to improved occupancy rates.

Newspaper earnings grew 6 percent to $150,741,000. Revenues advanced 3 percent to $766,241,000. Newspaper advertising volume advanced 3 percent and ad revenues gained 5 percent, including a 12 percent increase in classified revenues.

At USA TODAY, advertising pages numbered 877, down 6 percent from last year’s 931, which included promotions related to the Winter Olympics. Advertising revenue was two percent higher in 1995.

Broadcasting results included the operations of KTHV-TV in Little Rock, purchased in December 1994. Segment earnings increased 24 percent to $26,240,000, as revenues gained 15 percent to $96,983,000. Radio revenues advanced 13 percent, reflecting improved market shares and healthy demand. The television market was especially vibrant, and pro forma revenues advanced 12 percent from the 1994 level, which was buoyed by the Winter Olympics.

Outdoor revenues gained 8 percent in the quarter, reflecting good gains in poster and bulletin sales. The seasonal operating loss fell 40 percent to $2,828,000 as most markets reported improved results.

Gannett is a nationwide news and information company that publishes 82 daily newspapers, including USA TODAY, and USA WEEKEND, a newspaper magazine. Gannett also operates 10 television stations, 11 radio stations and the largest outdoor advertising company in North America.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    Gannett Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                 Thirteen weeks ended
                                            Mar. 26, 1995  Mar. 27, 1994
                                            -------------  -------------
    NET OPERATING REVENUES:
    Newspaper advertising...............   $516,742,000   $492,244,000
    Newspaper circulation...............    211,964,000    212,140,000
    Broadcasting........................     96,983,000     84,007,000
    Outdoor advertising.................     50,596,000     46,921,000
    Other...............................     37,535,000     41,313,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    Total...............................    913,820,000    876,625,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Cost of sales and operating expenses,
     exclusive of depreciation..........    534,222,000    516,424,000
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses, exclusive of depreciation    171,777,000    165,945,000
    Depreciation........................     39,259,000     40,490,000
    Amortization of intangible assets...     11,395,000     11,310,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    Total...............................    756,653,000    734,169,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    OPERATING INCOME....................    157,167,000    142,456,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
    Interest expense....................    (11,732,000)   (11,168,000)
    Other...............................       (529,000)     1,023,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    Total...............................    (12,261,000)   (10,145,000)
                                            -----------    -----------
    Income before income taxes..........    144,906,000    132,311,000
    Provision for income taxes..........     58,700,000     53,600,000
                                            -----------    -----------
    Net income..........................   $ 86,206,000   $ 78,711,000
                                            ===========    ===========

    Net income per share................          $0.62          $0.54
                                            ===========    ===========
    Dividends per share.................          $0.34          $0.33
                                            ===========    ===========

     BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA

                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                 Mar. 26, 1995       Mar. 27, 1994

     OPERATING REVENUES:


     Newspaper publishing.......  $766,241,000        $745,697,000
     Broadcasting...............    96,983,000          84,007,000
     Outdoor advertising........    50,596,000          46,921,000

                                  $913,820,000        $876,625,000
                                   ===========         ===========

     OPERATING INCOME (Net of Depreciation and Amortization)


     Newspaper publishing.......  $150,741,000        $142,660,000
     Broadcasting...............    26,240,000          21,173,000
     Outdoor advertising........    (2,828,000)         (4,729,000)
     Corporate..................   (16,986,000)        (16,648,000)

                                  $157,167,000        $142,456,000
                                   ===========         ===========

     Depreciation & Amortization


     Newspaper publishing.......   $36,724,000         $37,573,000
     Broadcasting...............     7,064,000           7,081,000
     Outdoor advertising........     4,205,000           4,572,000
     Corporate..................     2,661,000           2,574,000

                                   $50,654,000         $51,800,000
                                   ===========         ===========