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Graham Holdings Company Reports 2018 and Fourth Quarter Earnings

February 25, 2019 at 8:30 AM EST

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2019-- Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) today reported net income attributable to common shares of $271.2 million ($50.20 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $302.0 million ($53.89 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company reported net income attributable to common shares of $56.7 million ($10.61 per share), compared to $214.2 million ($38.52 per share) for the same period of 2017. The Company’s results for 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 include a significant net deferred income tax benefit related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act legislation enacted in December 2017.

The results for 2018 and 2017 were affected by a number of items as described in the following paragraphs. Excluding these items, net income attributable to common shares was $255.0 million ($47.23 per share) for 2018, compared to $128.6 million ($22.93 per share) for 2017. Excluding these items, net income attributable to common shares was $75.6 million ($14.18 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $43.2 million ($7.77 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2017. (Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Information schedule attached to this release for additional details.)

Items included in the Company’s net income for 2018 are listed below, and fourth quarter activity, if any, is highlighted for each item:

  • a $7.9 million intangible asset impairment charge at the healthcare business (after-tax impact of $5.8 million, or $1.08 per share);
  • a $3.9 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC (after-tax impact of $3.0 million, or $0.55 per share); $1.8 million of these gains were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $1.4 million, or $0.26 per share);
  • $6.2 million in interest expense related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest ($1.14 per share);
  • $11.4 million in debt extinguishment costs (after-tax impact of $8.6 million, or $1.60 per share);
  • a $30.3 million fourth quarter settlement gain related to a bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to changes in the Company’s postretirement healthcare benefit plan (after-tax amount of $22.2 million, or $4.11 per share);
  • $15.8 million in net losses on marketable equity securities (after-tax impact of $12.6 million, or $2.33 per share); $44.1 million of these losses were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $33.6 million, or $6.28 per share);
  • non-operating gain, net, of $6.7 million from sales, write-ups and impairments of cost method and equity method investments, and related to sales of land and businesses, including guarantor lease obligations (after-tax impact of $5.7 million, or $1.03 per share); $10.3 million in net losses were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $7.7 million, or $1.43 per share);
  • a $4.3 million gain on the Kaplan University Transaction (after-tax impact of $1.8 million or $0.33 per share);
  • $3.8 million in non-operating foreign currency losses (after-tax impact of $2.9 million, or $0.54 per share); $1.6 million in losses were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $1.2 million or $0.23 per share);
  • a nonrecurring discrete $17.8 million deferred state tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances ($3.31 per share); and
  • $1.8 million in income tax benefits related to stock compensation ($0.33 per share).

Items included in the Company’s net income for 2017 are listed below, and fourth quarter activity, if any, is highlighted for each item:

  • $10.0 million in restructuring and non-operating Separation Incentive Program charges at the education division (after-tax impact of $6.3 million, or $1.12 per share); $7.2 million of these charges were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $4.5 million, or $0.81 per share);
  • a $9.2 million goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charge at one of the manufacturing businesses (after-tax impact of $5.8 million, or $1.03 per share);
  • $3.3 million in non-operating foreign currency gains (after-tax impact of $2.1 million or $0.37 per share); $3.3 million in losses were recorded in the fourth quarter (after-tax impact of $2.1 million or $0.37 per share);
  • $177.5 million in fourth quarter net deferred tax benefits related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 ($31.68 per share); and
  • $5.9 million in income tax benefits related to stock compensation ($1.06 per share).

Revenue for 2018 was $2,696.0 million, up 4% from $2,591.8 million in 2017. Revenues increased at the television broadcasting and manufacturing divisions, offset by a decline at the education division. The Company reported operating income for 2018 of $246.2 million, an increase of 80%, from $136.4 million in 2017. Operating results improved at most of the Company’s divisions in 2018.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, revenue was $689.1 million, up 2% from $675.8 million in 2017. Revenues increased at the television broadcasting division and other businesses, offset by a decline at the education division. The Company reported operating income of $75.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $49.5 million in 2017, largely due to improved results at the television broadcasting division.

On April 27, 2017, certain subsidiaries of Kaplan, Inc. (Kaplan), a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company entered into a Contribution and Transfer Agreement (Transfer Agreement) to contribute the institutional assets and operations of Kaplan University (KU) to an Indiana non-profit, public-benefit corporation that is a subsidiary affiliated with Purdue University (Purdue). The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transfer Agreement occurred on March 22, 2018. At the same time, the parties entered into a Transition and Operations Support Agreement (TOSA) pursuant to which Kaplan provides key non-academic operations support to the new university. The new university operates largely online as an Indiana public university affiliated with Purdue under the name Purdue University Global (Purdue Global).

Division Results

Education

Education division revenue in 2018 totaled $1,451.0 million, down 4% from $1,516.8 million in 2017. For the fourth quarter of 2018, education division revenue totaled $346.9 million, down 9% from $380.6 million for the same period of 2017.

Kaplan reported operating income of $97.1 million for 2018, a 25% increase from $77.7 million in 2017; Kaplan reported operating income for the fourth quarter of 2018 of $14.6 million, a 31% decrease from $21.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. In 2018, operating results increased at Kaplan International, Kaplan Test Preparation and Kaplan Professional (U.S.), partially offset by decreased results at Higher Education.

In recent years, Kaplan has formulated and implemented restructuring plans at its various businesses that have resulted in restructuring costs, with the objective of establishing lower cost levels in future periods. There were no significant restructuring charges during 2018. Across all businesses, restructuring costs totaled $9.1 million in 2017 and $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

As a result of the KU Transaction that closed on March 22, 2018, the Company has revised the financial reporting for its education division to provide operating results for Higher Education and Professional (U.S.).

A summary of Kaplan’s operating results is as follows:

                 
    Three Months Ended
December 31
      Twelve Months Ended
December 31
   
(in thousands)   2018   2017   % Change   2018   2017   % Change
Revenue                        
Kaplan international   $ 184,429     $ 190,431     (3 )   $ 719,982     $ 697,999     3  
Higher education   67,005     103,264     (35 )   342,085     431,425     (21 )
Test preparation   60,598     60,320     0     256,102     273,298     (6 )
Professional (U.S.)   35,472     27,027     31     134,187     115,839     16  
Kaplan corporate and other   272     174     56     1,142     294      
Intersegment elimination   (866 )   (641 )       (2,483 )   (2,079 )    
    $ 346,910     $ 380,575     (9 )   $ 1,451,015     $ 1,516,776     (4 )
Operating Income (Loss)                        
Kaplan international   $ 17,349     $ 22,614     (23 )   $ 70,315     $ 51,623     36  
Higher education   (3,399 )   (360 )       15,217     16,719     (9 )
Test preparation   1,883     1,300     45     19,096     11,507     66  
Professional (U.S.)   7,745     5,513     40     28,608     27,558     4  
Kaplan corporate and other   (5,086 )   (6,760 )   25     (26,702 )   (24,701 )   (8 )
Amortization of intangible assets   (3,868 )   (1,364 )       (9,362 )   (5,162 )   (81 )
Intersegment elimination   (4 )   179         (36 )   143      
    $ 14,620     $ 21,122     (31 )   $ 97,136     $ 77,687     25  
                                             

Kaplan International includes English-language programs and postsecondary education and professional training businesses largely outside the United States. Kaplan International revenue increased 3% in 2018, and on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 1%, primarily due to growth in Pathways enrollments. Revenue declined 3% in the fourth quarter of 2018; however, on a constant currency basis, revenue remained flat. Kaplan International operating income increased 36% in 2018, due largely to improved results at English-language, Pathways and UK Professional. Operating income decreased 23% in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to a decline in results in Singapore and increased incentive compensation costs, offset by improved English-language results. Restructuring costs at Kaplan International totaled $2.9 million in 2017.

Prior to the KU Transaction closing on March 22, 2018, Higher Education included Kaplan’s domestic postsecondary education business, made up of fixed-facility colleges and online postsecondary and career programs. Following the KU Transaction closing, the Higher Education division includes the results as a service provider to higher education institutions.

In 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018, Higher Education revenue declined 21% and 35%, respectively, due largely to the sale of KU on March 22, 2018 and fewer average enrollments at KU prior to the sale. The Company recorded $16.8 million of service fee with Purdue Global in its Higher Education operating results in 2018, based on an assessment of its collectability under the TOSA; no service fee with Purdue Global was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018. Each quarter, the Company assesses the collectability of the service fee with Purdue Global to make a determination as to whether to record all or part of the service fee and whether to make adjustments to service fee amounts recognized in earlier periods. Additionally, Higher Education reported losses in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to costs incurred that are not reimbursable under the TOSA. Restructuring costs at Higher Education were $1.4 million and $0.8 million for 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively.

Kaplan Test Preparation (KTP) includes Kaplan’s standardized test preparation programs. In September 2018, KTP acquired the test preparation and study guide assets of Barron’s Educational Series, a New York-based education publishing company. KTP revenue declined 6% in 2018 due to reduced demand for classroom-based offerings, and the disposition of Dev Bootcamp, which made up the majority of KTP’s new economy skills training programs, offset in part by growth in online-based programs. Revenues were flat for the fourth quarter of 2018. Excluding revenues from the Barron’s acquisition, revenues were down 5% for the fourth quarter of 2018, due to declines in demand for classroom-based offerings, offset in part by growth in online-based programs. KTP operating results improved in 2018 due primarily to decreased losses from the new economy skills training programs. Operating losses for the new economy skills training programs were $3.6 million and $16.7 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively, including restructuring costs incurred in connection with the closing of Dev Bootcamp that was completed in the second half of 2017. Operating losses from the new economy skills training programs were $0.8 million and $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluding losses from the new economy skills training programs, KTP operating results were down in 2018, due primarily to revenue declines for classroom-based offerings.

Kaplan Professional (U.S.) includes the domestic professional and other continuing education businesses. In 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018, Kaplan Professional (U.S.) revenue was up 16% and 31%, respectively, due primarily to the May 2018 acquisition of Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI), an independent publisher of professional licensing exam review materials that provides engineering, surveying, architecture, and interior design licensure exam review products, and the July 2018 acquisition of College for Financial Planning (CFFP), a provider of financial education and training to individuals through programs of study for professionals pursuing a career in Financial Planning. Kaplan Professional (U.S.) operating results improved 4% in 2018, due mostly to income from PPI and CFFP, offset by increased spending on sales, marketing and technology. Kaplan Professional (U.S.) operating results improved 40% in the fourth quarter of 2018, due mostly to a delay in the CFA exam and registration dates in 2018.

Kaplan corporate and other represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.’s corporate office, other minor businesses and certain shared activities.

Television Broadcasting

Revenue at the television broadcasting division increased 23% to $505.5 million in 2018, from $409.9 million in 2017. The revenue increase is due to a $64.9 million increase in political advertising revenue, $38.0 million in higher retransmission revenues, $8.6 million in 2018 incremental winter Olympics-related advertising revenue at the Company’s NBC stations, and the adverse impact from hurricanes Harvey and Irma in the third quarter of 2017. Operating income for 2018 was up 51% to $210.5 million, from $139.3 million in 2017, due to higher revenues.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, revenue increased 37% to $152.6 million, from $111.0 million in 2017. The revenue increase is due to a $38.0 million increase in political advertising revenue and $10.9 million in higher retransmission revenues. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was up 86% to $73.4 million, from $39.5 million in the same period of 2017, due to higher revenues.

In 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018, the television broadcasting division recorded $3.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in reductions to operating expenses related to non-cash property, plant and equipment gains due to new equipment received at no cost in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing includes four businesses: Dekko, a manufacturer of electrical workspace solutions, architectural lighting and electrical components and assemblies; Joyce/Dayton Corp., a manufacturer of screw jacks and other linear motion systems; Forney, a global supplier of products and systems that control and monitor combustion processes in electric utility and industrial applications; and Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc., a supplier of pressure impregnated kiln-dried lumber and plywood products for fire retardant and preservative applications that the Company acquired in April 2017. In July 2018, Dekko acquired Furnlite, Inc., a Fallston, NC-based manufacturer of power and data solutions for the hospitality and residential furniture industries.

Manufacturing revenues and operating income increased in 2018 due largely to the Hoover acquisition. Also, in the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $9.2 million goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charge at Forney, due to lower than expected revenues resulting from sluggish overall demand for its energy products. Manufacturing operating income declined in the fourth quarter of 2018 due largely to a decline at Hoover. While Hoover holds inventory for relatively short periods, wood prices declined on a consistent basis in the second half of 2018, resulting in losses on inventory sales.

Healthcare

Graham Healthcare Group (GHG) provides home health and hospice services in three states. At the end of June 2017, GHG acquired Hometown Home Health and Hospice, a Lapeer, MI-based healthcare services provider. Healthcare revenues declined 3% in 2018, primarily due to a new management services agreement (MSA) with one of GHG’s joint ventures that was effective in the third quarter of 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, GHG recorded a $7.9 million intangible asset impairment charge related to the Celtic trademark, which was phased out in the second half of 2018. The decline in GHG operating results in 2018 is due to the intangible asset impairment charge and a decline in results from the MSA with one of GHG’s joint ventures, offset by lower bad debt expense and overall cost reductions.

SocialCode

SocialCode is a provider of marketing solutions on social, mobile and video platforms. In the third quarter of 2018, SocialCode acquired Marketplace Strategy, a Cleveland-based Amazon sales acceleration agency. SocialCode revenue decreased 5% in 2018 and 16% in the fourth quarter of 2018, resulting from declines in digital advertising service revenues, partly due to a transition from agency-based clients to direct-relationship clients. SocialCode reported an operating loss of $1.1 million and $0.7 million in 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018, respectively, compared to an operating loss of $3.7 million and operating income of $4.5 million in 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively. SocialCode’s operating results included a credit of $7.1 million and expense of $0.1 million related to phantom equity plans in 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018, respectively; whereas 2017 results included expense of $1.4 million and $0.2 million related to phantom equity plans in 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively. Excluding the amounts related to phantom equity plans for the relevant periods, SocialCode results are down in 2018, largely due to revenue declines.

Other Businesses

Other businesses include Slate and Foreign Policy, which publish online and print magazines and websites; and three investment stage businesses, Panoply, Pinna and CyberVista. Revenues increased 26% in 2018 and 80% for the fourth quarter of 2018, largely due to growth at Panoply. Losses from each of these businesses in 2018 adversely affected operating results.

Corporate Office

Corporate office includes the expenses of the Company’s corporate office and certain continuing obligations related to prior business dispositions.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliates

At December 31, 2018, the Company held interests in a number of home health and hospice joint ventures, and interests in several other affiliates. During 2017, the Company acquired an approximate 11% interest in Intersection Holdings, LLC, a company that provides digital marketing and advertising services and products for cities, transit systems, airports, and other public and private spaces. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $7.9 million in gains in earnings of affiliates related to two of its investments. In total, the Company recorded equity in earnings of affiliates of $14.5 million for 2018, compared to losses of $3.2 million in 2017.

Net Interest Expense, Debt Extinguishment Costs and Related Balances

On May 30, 2018, the Company issued $400 million of 5.75% unsecured eight-year fixed-rate notes due June 1, 2026. Interest is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. On June 29, 2018, the Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes and other cash to repay $400 million of 7.25% notes that were due February 1, 2019. The Company incurred $11.4 million in debt extinguishment costs related to the early termination of the 7.25% notes.

The Company incurred net interest expense of $32.5 million in 2018, compared to $27.3 million in 2017; net interest expense totaled $5.1 million and $4.9 million for the fourth quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company incurred $6.2 million in interest expense related to the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest at GHG settled in the second quarter of 2018.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had $477.1 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 5.1%, and cash, marketable securities and other investments of $778.7 million. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $493.3 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 6.3%, and cash, marketable securities and other investments of $964.7 million.

Non-Operating Pension and Postretirement Benefit Income, Net

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance that changes the income statement classification of net periodic pension and postretirement pension cost. Under the new guidance, service cost is included in operating income, while the other components (including expected return on assets) are included in non-operating income. The new guidance was required to be applied retroactively, with prior period financial information revised to reflect the reclassification. From a segment reporting perspective, this change had a significant impact on Corporate office reporting, with minimal impact on the television broadcasting and Kaplan corporate reporting.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $26.9 million gain related to a bulk lump sum pension program offering. Also in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company made changes to its postretirement healthcare benefit plan, resulting in a $3.4 million curtailment gain. In total, the Company recorded net non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income of $120.5 million in 2018, compared to $72.7 million in 2017. The Company recorded $53.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $17.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Loss on Marketable Equity Securities, Net

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted new guidance that requires changes in the fair value of marketable equity securities to be included in non-operating income (expense) on a prospective basis. Overall, the Company recognized $15.8 million in net losses on marketable equity securities in 2018 and $44.1 million in net losses in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

The Company recorded total other non-operating income, net, of $2.1 million in 2018, compared to $4.2 million in 2017. The 2018 non-operating income, net, included $11.7 million in fair value increases on cost method investments; $8.2 million in net gains related to sales of businesses and contingent consideration; a $2.8 million gain on sale of a cost method investment; a $2.5 million gain on sale of land and other items, partially offset by $17.5 million in losses on guarantor lease obligations in connection with the 2015 sale of the KHE Campuses businesses; $3.8 million in foreign currency losses; and $2.7 million in impairments on cost method investments. The 2017 non-operating income, net, included $3.3 million in foreign currency gains and other items.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded other non-operating expense, net, of $12.6 million, compared to $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The 2018 non-operating expense, net, included $13.3 million in losses on guarantor lease obligations in connection with the 2015 sale of the KHE Campuses businesses and $1.6 million in foreign currency losses and other items; partially offset by a $3.2 million fair value increase on cost method investments. The fourth quarter of 2017 non-operating expense, net, included $3.3 million in foreign currency losses offset by other items.

Provision for (Benefit From) Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for 2018 was 16.1%. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $17.8 million deferred state tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances. Excluding this $17.8 million benefit and a $1.8 million income tax benefit related to stock compensation, the overall income tax rate for 2018 was 22.2%. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted in December 2017, which included lowering the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

The Company reported an income tax benefit of $119.7 million for 2017, which was significantly impacted by the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017. Overall, the Company recorded a $177.5 million net deferred tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of enactment of this legislation, due largely to the revaluation of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower federal tax rate and a significant reduction in the amount of deferred taxes previously provided on undistributed earnings of investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $5.9 million income tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock awards in connection with the adoption of a new accounting standard that requires all excess income tax benefits and deficiencies from stock compensation to be recorded as discrete items in the provision for income taxes. Excluding the effect of these items, the effective tax rate for 2017 was 34.9%.

Earnings Per Share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2018 was based on 5,369,611 and 5,308,710 weighted average shares, respectively, compared to 5,552,163 and 5,508,530 weighted average shares, respectively, for 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017. At December 31, 2018, there were 5,300,959 shares outstanding. On November 9, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to acquire up to 500,000 shares of Class B common stock; the Company has remaining authorization for 273,655 shares as of December 31, 2018.

Adoption of Revenue Recognition Standard

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new revenue recognition guidance using the modified retrospective approach. In connection with the KU Transaction, Kaplan recognized $4.5 million in service fee revenue and operating income in the third quarter of 2018. Under the previous guidance, this would not have been recognized, as a determination would not have been made until the end of Purdue Global’s fiscal year (June 30, 2019). If the company applied the accounting policies under the previous guidance for all other revenue streams, revenue and operating expenses would have been $1.7 million and $0.6 million lower, respectively, for 2018.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For more information about these forward-looking statements and related risks, please refer to the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)
         
    Three Months Ended    
    December 31   %
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2018   2017   Change
Operating revenues   $ 689,087     $ 675,817     2  
Operating expenses   585,330     597,399     (2 )
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   14,813     15,984     (7 )
Amortization of intangible assets   13,362     12,897     4  
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets       78      
Operating income   75,582     49,459     53  
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net   1,426     (4,697 )    
Interest income   1,469     3,184     (54 )
Interest expense   (6,531 )   (8,103 )   (19 )
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net   53,900     17,657      
Loss on marketable equity securities, net   (44,149 )        
Other expense, net   (12,559 )   (2,640 )    
Income from operations before income taxes   69,138     54,860     26  
Provision for (Benefit from) income taxes   12,400     (159,700 )    
Net income   56,738     214,560     (74 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (53 )   (382 )   (86 )
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders   $ 56,685     $ 214,178     (74 )
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders            
Basic net income per common share   $ 10.69     $ 38.76     (72 )
Basic average number of common shares outstanding   5,270     5,473      
Diluted net income per common share   $ 10.61     $ 38.52     (72 )
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding   5,309     5,509      
                 
 
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)
         
    Twelve Months Ended    
    December 31   %
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2018   2017   Change
Operating revenues   $ 2,695,966     $ 2,591,846     4  
Operating expenses   2,337,560     2,342,133     0  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   56,722     62,509     (9 )
Amortization of intangible assets   47,414     41,187     15  
Impairment of intangible and other long-lived assets   8,109     9,614     (16 )
Operating income   246,161     136,403     80  
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net   14,473     (3,249 )    
Interest income   5,353     6,581     (19 )
Interest expense   (37,902 )   (33,886 )   12  
Debt extinguishment costs   (11,378 )        
Non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income, net   120,541     72,699     66  
Loss on marketable equity securities, net   (15,843 )        
Other income, net   2,103     4,241     (50 )
Income from operations before income taxes   323,508     182,789     77  
Provision for (Benefit from) income taxes   52,100     (119,700 )    
Net income   271,408     302,489     (10 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (202 )   (445 )   (55 )
Net Income Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders   $ 271,206     $ 302,044     (10 )
Per Share Information Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders            
Basic net income per common share   $ 50.55     $ 54.24     (7 )
Basic average number of common shares outstanding   5,333     5,516      
Diluted net income per common share   $ 50.20     $ 53.89     (7 )
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding   5,370     5,552      
                 
 
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY

BUSINESS DIVISION INFORMATION

(Unaudited)
 
    Three Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended    
    December 31   %   December 31   %
(in thousands)   2018   2017   Change   2018   2017   Change
Operating Revenues                        
Education   $ 346,910     $ 380,575     (9 )   $ 1,451,015     $ 1,516,776     (4 )
Television broadcasting   152,647     111,023     37     505,549     409,916     23  
Manufacturing   117,723     116,029     1     487,619     414,193     18  
Healthcare   37,960     38,610     (2 )   149,275     154,202     (3 )
SocialCode   16,878     20,151     (16 )   58,728     62,077     (5 )
Other businesses   17,024     9,480     80     43,880     34,733     26  
Corporate office                        
Intersegment elimination   (55 )   (51 )       (100 )   (51 )    
    $ 689,087     $ 675,817     2     $ 2,695,966     $ 2,591,846     4  
Operating Expenses                        
Education   $ 332,290     $ 359,453     (8 )   $ 1,353,879     $ 1,439,089     (6 )
Television broadcasting   79,227     71,487     11     295,016     270,658     9  
Manufacturing   111,311     107,285     4     458,768     399,246     15  
Healthcare   37,032     41,557     (11 )   157,676     156,771     1  
SocialCode   17,560     15,673     12     59,809     65,751     (9 )
Other businesses   22,864     16,004     43     71,896     65,269     10  
Corporate office   13,276     14,950     (11 )   52,861     58,710     (10 )
Intersegment elimination   (55 )   (51 )       (100 )   (51 )    
    $ 613,505     $ 626,358     (2 )   $ 2,449,805     $ 2,455,443     0  
Operating Income (Loss)                        
Education   $ 14,620     $ 21,122     (31 )   $ 97,136     $ 77,687     25  
Television broadcasting   73,420     39,536     86     210,533     139,258     51  
Manufacturing   6,412     8,744     (27 )   28,851     14,947     93  
Healthcare   928     (2,947 )       (8,401 )   (2,569 )    
SocialCode   (682 )   4,478         (1,081 )   (3,674 )   71  
Other businesses   (5,840 )   (6,524 )   10     (28,016 )   (30,536 )   8  
Corporate office   (13,276 )   (14,950 )   11     (52,861 )   (58,710 )   10  
    $ 75,582     $ 49,459     53     $ 246,161     $ 136,403     80  
Depreciation                        
Education   $ 6,969     $ 7,912     (12 )   $ 28,099     $ 32,906     (15 )
Television broadcasting   3,961     3,476     14     13,204     12,179     8  
Manufacturing   2,400     2,544     (6 )   9,515     9,173     4  
Healthcare   629     1,154     (45 )   2,577     4,583     (44 )
SocialCode   177     251     (29 )   797     1,004     (21 )
Other businesses   428     389     10     1,523     1,546     (1 )
Corporate office   249     258     (3 )   1,007     1,118     (10 )
    $ 14,813     $ 15,984     (7 )   $ 56,722     $ 62,509     (9 )
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets                        
Education   $ 3,868     $ 1,364         $ 9,362     $ 5,162     81  
Television broadcasting   1,408     3,406     (59 )   5,632     6,349     (11 )
Manufacturing   6,530     5,935     10     24,746     31,052     (20 )
Healthcare   1,399     2,187     (36 )   14,855     7,905     88  
SocialCode   157     83     89     928     333      
Other businesses                        
Corporate office                        
    $ 13,362     $ 12,975     3     $ 55,523     $ 50,801     9  
Pension Expense                        
Education   $ 2,104     $ 2,431     (13 )   $ 8,753     $ 9,720     (10 )
Television broadcasting   550     485     13     2,188     1,942     13  
Manufacturing   18     17     6     72     79     (9 )
Healthcare   143     167     (14 )   573     665     (14 )
SocialCode   181     148     22     723     593     22  
Other businesses   161     117     38     578     453     28  
Corporate office   1,334     1,226     9     5,334     5,235     2  
    $ 4,491     $ 4,591     (2 )   $ 18,221     $ 18,687     (2 )
                                             
 
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY

EDUCATION DIVISION INFORMATION

(Unaudited)
 
    Three Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended    
    December 31   %   December 31   %
(in thousands)   2018   2017   Change   2018   2017   Change
Operating Revenues                        
Kaplan international   $ 184,429     $ 190,431     (3 )   $ 719,982     $ 697,999     3  
Higher education   67,005     103,264     (35 )   342,085     431,425     (21 )
Test preparation   60,598     60,320     0     256,102     273,298     (6 )
Professional (U.S.)   35,472     27,027     31     134,187     115,839     16  
Kaplan corporate and other   272     174     56     1,142     294      
Intersegment elimination   (866 )   (641 )       (2,483 )   (2,079 )    
    $ 346,910     $ 380,575     (9 )   $ 1,451,015     $ 1,516,776     (4 )
Operating Expenses                        
Kaplan international   $ 167,080     $ 167,817     0     $ 649,667     $ 646,376     1  
Higher education   70,404     103,624     (32 )   326,868     414,706     (21 )
Test preparation   58,715     59,020     (1 )   237,006     261,791     (9 )
Professional (U.S.)   27,727     21,514     29     105,579     88,281     20  
Kaplan corporate and other   5,358     6,934     (23 )   27,844     24,995     11  
Amortization of intangible assets   3,868     1,364         9,362     5,162     81  
Intersegment elimination   (862 )   (820 )       (2,447 )   (2,222 )    
    $ 332,290     $ 359,453     (8 )   $ 1,353,879     $ 1,439,089     (6 )
Operating Income (Loss)                        
Kaplan international   $ 17,349     $ 22,614     (23 )   $ 70,315     $ 51,623     36  
Higher education   (3,399 )   (360 )       15,217     16,719     (9 )
Test preparation   1,883     1,300     45     19,096     11,507     66  
Professional (U.S.)   7,745     5,513     40     28,608     27,558     4  
Kaplan corporate and other   (5,086 )   (6,760 )   25     (26,702 )   (24,701 )   (8 )
Amortization of intangible assets   (3,868 )   (1,364 )       (9,362 )   (5,162 )   (81 )
Intersegment elimination   (4 )   179         (36 )   143      
    $ 14,620     $ 21,122     (31 )   $ 97,136     $ 77,687     25  
Depreciation                        
Kaplan international   $ 4,258     $ 3,821     11     $ 15,755     $ 14,892     6  
Higher education   779     1,975     (61 )   4,826     9,117     (47 )
Test preparation   957     1,206     (21 )   3,941     5,286     (25 )
Professional (U.S.)   925     735     26     3,096     3,041     2  
Kaplan corporate and other   50     175     (71 )   481     570     (16 )
    $ 6,969     $ 7,912     (12 )   $ 28,099     $ 32,906     (15 )
Pension Expense                        
Kaplan international   $ 65     $ 66     (2 )   $ 298     $ 264     13  
Higher education   1,050     1,318     (20 )   4,310     5,269     (18 )
Test preparation   576     689     (16 )   2,611     2,755     (5 )
Professional (U.S.)   291     228     28     1,162     913     27  
Kaplan corporate and other   122     130     (6 )   372     519     (28 )
    $ 2,104     $ 2,431     (13 )   $ 8,753     $ 9,720     (10 )
                                             

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY
(Unaudited)

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) included in this press release, the Company has provided information regarding net income excluding certain items described below reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financials, provide useful information to investors by offering:

  • the ability to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s ongoing results;
  • the ability to identify trends in the Company’s underlying business; and
  • a better understanding of how management plans and measures the Company’s underlying business.

Net income excluding certain items should not be considered substitutes or alternatives to computations calculated in accordance with and required by GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis.

The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures:

     
    Three Months Ended December 31
    2018   2017
(in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Income
before
income
taxes

 

Income
Taxes

 

Net
Income

 

Income
before
income
taxes

 

Income
Taxes

 

Net
Income

Amounts attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders                        
As reported   $ 69,138     $ 12,400     $ 56,738     $ 54,860     $ (159,700 )   $ 214,560  
Attributable to noncontrolling interests           (53 )           (382 )
Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Stockholders           56,685             214,178  
Adjustments:                        

Restructuring and non-operating separation incentive program charges

              7,181     2,657     4,524  
Reduction to operating expenses in connection with the broadcast spectrum repacking   (1,814 )   (399 )   (1,415 )            
Settlement gain related to bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to postretirement healthcare benefit plan   (30,298 )   (8,120 )   (22,178 )            
Net losses on marketable equity securities   44,148     10,596     33,552              
Non-operating loss, net, from cost method investments and guarantor lease obligations   10,333     2,669     7,664              
Foreign currency loss   1,639     393     1,246     3,298     1,220     2,078  
Net deferred tax benefits related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act                   177,532     (177,532 )
Net Income, adjusted (non-GAAP)           $ 75,554             $ 43,248  
                         
Per share information attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders                        
Diluted income per common share, as reported           $ 10.61             $ 38.52  
Adjustments:                        
Restructuring and non-operating separation incentive program charges                       0.81  
Reduction to operating expenses in connection with the broadcast spectrum repacking           (0.26 )            
Settlement gain related to bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to postretirement healthcare benefit plan           (4.11 )            
Net losses on marketable equity securities           6.28              
Non-operating loss, net, from cost method investments and guarantor lease obligations           1.43              
Foreign currency loss           0.23             0.37  
Net deferred tax benefits related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act                       (31.93 )
Diluted income per common share, adjusted (non-GAAP)           $ 14.18             $ 7.77  
                         
The adjusted diluted per share amounts may not compute due to rounding.
 
     
    Twelve Months Ended December 31
    2018   2017
(in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Income
before
income
taxes

 

Income
Taxes

 

Net
Income

 

Income
before
income
taxes

 

Income
Taxes

 

Net
Income

Amounts attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders                        
As reported   $ 323,508     $ 52,100     $ 271,408     $ 182,789     $ (119,700 )   $ 302,489  
Attributable to noncontrolling interests           (202 )           (445 )
Attributable to Graham Holdings Company Stockholders           $ 271,206             $ 302,044  
Adjustments:                        
Restructuring and non-operating separation incentive program charges               9,958     3,684     6,274  
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges   7,909     2,099     5,810     9,224     3,413     5,811  
Reduction to operating expenses in connection with the broadcast spectrum repacking   (3,881 )   (854 )   (3,027 )            
Interest expense related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest   6,169         6,169              
Debt extinguishment costs   11,378     2,731     8,647              
Settlement gain related to bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to postretirement healthcare benefit plan   (30,298 )   (8,120 )   (22,178 )            
Net losses on marketable equity securities   15,843     3,236     12,607              
Non-operating gain, net, from cost and equity method investments and related to sales of land and businesses, including guarantor lease obligations   (6,705 )   (995 )   (5,710 )            
Gain on Kaplan University Transaction   (4,315 )   (2,472 )   (1,843 )            
Foreign currency loss (gain)   3,844     923     2,921     (3,310 )   (1,225 )   (2,085 )
Nonrecurring deferred state tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances       17,783     (17,783 )            
Net deferred tax benefits related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act                   177,532     (177,532 )
Tax benefit related to stock compensation       1,810     (1,810 )       5,933     (5,933 )
Net Income, adjusted (non-GAAP)           $ 255,009             $ 128,579  
                         
Per share information attributable to Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders                        
Diluted income per common share, as reported           $ 50.20             $ 53.89  
Adjustments:                        
Restructuring and non-operating separation incentive program charges                       1.12  
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges           1.08             1.03  
Reduction to operating expenses in connection with the broadcast spectrum repacking           (0.55 )            
Interest expense related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest           1.14              
Debt extinguishment costs           1.60              
Settlement gain related to bulk lump sum pension offering and curtailment gain related to postretirement healthcare benefit plan           (4.11 )            
Net losses on marketable equity securities           2.33              
Non-operating gain, net, from cost and equity method investments and related to sales of land and businesses, including guarantor lease obligations           (1.03 )            
Gain on Kaplan University Transaction           (0.33 )            
Foreign currency loss (gain)           0.54             (0.37 )
Nonrecurring deferred state tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances           (3.31 )            
Net deferred tax benefits related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act                       (31.68 )
Tax benefit related to stock compensation           (0.33 )           (1.06 )
Diluted income per common share, adjusted (non-GAAP)           $ 47.23             $ 22.93  
                         
The adjusted diluted per share amounts may not compute due to rounding.
 

 

Source: Graham Holdings Company

Wallace R. Cooney
(703) 345-6470