FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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 April 3, 2005

 

Commission File Number 1-6714

 


 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   53-0182885

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1150 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.   20071
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(202) 334-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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  ¨.

 

Shares outstanding at May 2, 2005:

 

Class A Common Stock                  

                1,722,250 Shares

Class B Common Stock                  

                7,870,171 Shares

 



Table of Contents

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

Index to Form 10-Q

 

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
Item 1.   Financial Statements     
    a.   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004

   3
    b.   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004

   4
    c.   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 3, 2005 (Unaudited) and January 2, 2005

   5
    d.   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004

   6
   

e.

   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)    7
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition    15
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    20
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION     
Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    21
Signatures    23

 

2.


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   April 3,
2005


    March 28,
2004


 

Operating revenues

                

Advertising

   $ 305,550     $ 299,127  

Circulation and subscriber

     186,222       180,259  

Education

     325,383       258,271  

Other

     16,775       21,312  
    


 


       833,930       758,969  
    


 


Operating costs and expenses

                

Operating

     432,884       409,681  

Selling, general and administrative

     245,881       198,132  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     45,568       43,859  

Amortization of intangible assets

     1,608       2,380  
    


 


       725,941       654,052  
    


 


Income from operations

     107,989       104,917  

Other income (expense)

                

Equity in losses of affiliates

     (525 )     (1,716 )

Interest income

     574       344  

Interest expense

     (6,519 )     (6,861 )

Other, net

     7,072       742  
    


 


Income before income taxes

     108,591       97,426  

Provision for income taxes

     42,000       38,000  
    


 


Net Income

     66,591       59,426  

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

     (491 )     (502 )
    


 


Net income available for common shares

   $ 66,100     $ 58,924  
    


 


Basic earnings per common share

   $ 6.89     $ 6.17  
    


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 6.87     $ 6.15  
    


 


Dividends declared per common share

   $ 3.70     $ 3.50  
    


 


Basic average number of common shares outstanding

     9,589       9,550  

Diluted average number of common shares outstanding

     9,617       9,582  

 

3.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

   April 3,
2005


    March 28,
2004


 

Net income

   $ 66,591     $ 59,426  
    


 


Other comprehensive income (loss)

                

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (2,861 )     (395 )

Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     (17,034 )     25,910  

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income

     (3,345 )     —    
    


 


       (23,240 )     25,515  

Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income

     7,950       (10,135 )
    


 


       (15,290 )     15,380  
    


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 51,301     $ 74,806  
    


 


 

4.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands)

 

  

April 3,

2005


   

January 2,

2005


 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 140,031     $ 119,400  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     132,970       149,303  

Accounts receivable, net

     349,442       362,862  

Inventories

     27,043       25,127  

Deferred income taxes

     31,119       30,871  

Income taxes receivable

     —         18,375  

Other current assets

     57,868       48,429  
    


 


       738,473       754,367  

Property, plant and equipment

                

Buildings

     306,818       304,606  

Machinery, equipment and fixtures

     1,773,395       1,730,997  

Leasehold improvements

     138,766       133,674  
    


 


       2,218,979       2,169,277  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,242,316 )     (1,197,375 )
    


 


       976,663       971,902  

Land

     37,470       37,470  

Construction in progress

     81,183       80,580  
    


 


       1,095,316       1,089,952  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     251,604       260,433  

Investments in affiliates

     61,085       61,814  

Goodwill, net

     1,037,855       1,023,140  

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net

     493,192       493,192  

Amortized intangible assets, net

     14,059       7,879  

Prepaid pension cost

     565,898       556,747  

Deferred charges and other assets

     57,044       69,117  
    


 


     $ 4,314,526     $ 4,316,641  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 390,907     $ 443,332  

Deferred revenue

     220,967       186,593  

Dividends declared

     18,040       —    

Federal and state income taxes payable

     15,587       —    

Short-term borrowings

     8,667       58,236  
    


 


       654,168       688,161  

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     146,841       145,490  

Other liabilities

     238,666       228,654  

Deferred income taxes

     397,425       403,698  

Long-term debt

     422,990       425,889  
    


 


       1,860,090       1,891,892  

Redeemable preferred stock

     12,267       12,267  
    


 


Preferred stock

     —         —    
    


 


Common shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock

     20,000       20,000  

Capital in excess of par value

     199,029       186,827  

Retained earnings

     3,659,788       3,629,222  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

                

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     11,012       13,873  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     63,019       75,448  

Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury

     (1,510,679 )     (1,512,888 )
    


 


       2,442,169       2,412,482  
    


 


     $ 4,314,526     $ 4,316,641  
    


 


 

5.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

   April 3,
2005


    March 28,
2004


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 66,591     $ 59,426  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     45,568       43,859  

Amortization of intangible assets

     1,608       2,380  

Net pension credit

     (9,151 )     (10,044 )

Gain on sale of land

     (5,404 )     —    

Gain on disposition of marketable equity securities

     (3,345 )        

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

     1,838       (1,501 )

Cost method and other investment write-downs

     —         677  

Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions

     525       1,716  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     1,304       4,895  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Decrease in accounts receivable, net

     13,122       16,985  

Increase in inventories

     (1,916 )     (2,355 )

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (65,112 )     (11,970 )

Increase in deferred revenue

     33,083       25,875  

Increase in income taxes payable

     33,972       27,868  

(Increase) decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net

     10,016       (11,993 )

Other

     64       (423 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     122,763       145,395  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (52,075 )     (40,617 )

Proceeds from the sale of land

     23,796       —    

Investments in certain businesses

     (25,565 )     (41,386 )

Proceeds from the sale of marketable equity securities

     8,124       —    

Other

     —         79  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (45,720 )     (81,924 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net repayment of commercial paper

     (50,201 )     (71,092 )

Principal payments on debt

     (1,935 )     (7,398 )

Cash overdraft

     13,065       2,564  

Dividends paid

     (17,984 )     (16,951 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,603       8,045  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (55,452 )     (84,832 )
    


 


Effect of currency exchange rate change

     (960 )     355  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     20,631       (21,006 )

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     119,400       116,561  
    


 


Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 140,031     $ 95,555  
    


 


 

6.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Results of operations, when examined on a quarterly basis, reflect the seasonality of advertising that affects the newspaper, magazine and broadcasting operations. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters are typically higher than first and third quarter revenues. All adjustments reflected in the interim financial statements are of a normal recurring nature.

 

The Company generally reports on a 13 week fiscal quarter ending on the Sunday nearest the calendar quarter-end. With the exception of the newspaper publishing operations, subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-quarter basis.

 

Note 1: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

 

In the first quarter of 2005, the Company acquired Slate, an online magazine and Kaplan acquired two businesses in their higher education division. These acquisitions totaled $26.5 million. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill and other intangibles on a preliminary basis.

 

On April 22, 2005, Kaplan acquired BISYS Education Services, a leading provider of licensing education and compliance solutions for financial services institutions and professionals. BISYS is now part of Kaplan Professional.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million.

 

Note 2: Investments.

 

Investments in marketable equity securities at April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

April 3,

2005


  

January 2,

2005


Total cost

   $ 281,133    $ 285,912

Gross unrealized gains

     103,441      123,824
    

  

Total fair value

   $ 384,574    $ 409,736
    

  

 

During the first quarter of 2005, the Company sold marketable equity securities for a pre-tax gain of $3.3 million. There were no sales of marketable equity securities in the first quarter of 2004.

 

At April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005, the carrying value of the Company’s cost method investments was $4.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded charges of $0 and $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively, to write-down certain of its investments to estimated fair value.

 

7.


Table of Contents

Note 3: Borrowings.

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):

 

     April 3,
2005


    January 2,
2005


 

Commercial paper borrowings

   $ —       $ 50.2  

5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009

     399.0       398.9  

4.0 percent notes due 2006 (£8.35 million)

     15.7       16.1  

Other indebtedness

     17.0       18.9  
    


 


Total

     431.7       484.1  

Less current portion

     (8.7 )     (58.2 )
    


 


Total long-term debt

   $ 423.0     $ 425.9  
    


 


 

The Company’s commercial paper borrowings at January 2, 2005 were at an average interest rate of 2.2% and matured through January 2005.

 

During 2003, notes of £16.7 million were issued to current FTC employees who were former FTC shareholders in connection with the FTC acquisition. In 2004, 50% of the balance on the notes was paid. The remaining balance outstanding of £8.35 million is due for repayment in August 2006.

 

The Company’s other indebtedness at April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005 is at interest rates of 4% to 7% and matures from 2005 to 2009.

 

During the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $457.8 million and $550.8 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.2% and 4.5%, respectively. During the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $5.9 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

 

Note 4: Business Segments.

 

The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments. The 2005 and 2004 asset information is as of April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005, respectively.

 

8.


Table of Contents

First Quarter Period

(in thousands)

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


    Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

2005

                                                       

Operating revenues

   $ 233,028     $ 79,292    $ 69,851     $ 126,376     $ 325,383     $ —       $ 833,930  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 31,396     $ 32,769    $ (5,169 )   $ 23,401     $ 32,632     $ (7,040 )   $ 107,989  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                                    (525 )

Interest expense, net

                                                    (5,945 )

Other, net

                                                    7,072  
                                                   


Income before income taxes

                                                  $ 108,591  
                                                   


Depreciation expense

   $ 8,789     $ 2,462    $ 734     $ 25,192     $ 8,391     $ —       $ 45,568  

Amortization expense

   $ 119     $ —      $ —       $ 204     $ 1,285     $ —       $ 1,608  

Net pension credit (expense)

   $ (321 )   $ 735    $ 9,585     $ (310 )   $ (538 )   $ —       $ 9,151  

Identifiable assets

   $ 694,885     $ 408,712    $ 560,438     $ 1,103,846     $ 1,049,138     $ 51,848     $ 3,868,867  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                                    384,574  

Investments in affiliates

                                                    61,085  
                                                   


Total assets

                                                  $ 4,314,526  
                                                   


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


    Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

2004

                                                       

Operating revenues

   $ 218,825     $ 76,317    $ 84,542     $ 121,014     $ 258,271     $ —       $ 758,969  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 31,989     $ 31,275    $ 6,821     $ 22,642     $ 20,637     $ (8,447 )   $ 104,917  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                                    (1,716 )

Interest expense, net

                                                    (6,517 )

Other, net

                                                    742  
                                                   


Income before income taxes

                                                  $ 97,426  
                                                   


Depreciation expense

   $ 9,663     $ 2,743    $ 860     $ 24,254     $ 6,339     $ —       $ 43,859  

Amortization expense

   $ 4     $ —      $ —       $ 38     $ 2,338     $ —       $ 2,380  

Net pension credit (expense)

   $ 759     $ 814    $ 9,084     $ (250 )   $ (363 )   $ —       $ 10,044  

Identifiable assets

   $ 688,812     $ 410,294    $ 582,489     $ 1,113,554     $ 1,035,772     $ 14,170     $ 3,845,091  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                                    409,736  

Investments in affiliates

                                                    61,814  
                                                   


Total assets

                                                  $ 4,316,641  
                                                   


 

9.


Table of Contents

Newspaper publishing includes the publication of newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area and Everett, Washington; newsprint warehousing and recycling facilities; and the Company’s electronic media publishing business (primarily washingtonpost.com).

 

The magazine publishing division consists of the publication of a weekly news magazine, Newsweek, which has one domestic and three international editions, the publication of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and the publication of business periodicals for the computer services industry and the Washington-area technology community.

 

Television broadcasting operations are conducted through six VHF, television stations serving the Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando and Jacksonville television markets. All stations are network-affiliated (except for WJXT in Jacksonville) with revenues derived primarily from sales of advertising time.

 

Cable television operations consist of cable systems offering basic cable, digital cable, pay television, cable modem and other services to subscribers in midwestern, western, and southern states. The principal source of revenue is monthly subscription fees charged for services.

 

Education products and services are provided through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kaplan, Inc. Kaplan’s businesses include supplemental education services, which is made up of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, providing test preparation services for college and graduate school entrance exams; Kaplan Professional, providing education and career services to business people and other professionals; and Score!, offering multi-media learning and private tutoring to children and educational resources to parents. Kaplan’s businesses also include higher education services, which includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including the fixed facility colleges that offer Bachelor’s degrees, Associate’s degrees and diploma programs primarily in the fields of healthcare, business and information technology; and online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses).

 

Corporate office includes the expenses of the Company’s corporate office.

 

Note 5: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

 

The Company’s intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from franchise agreements at its cable division, as the Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide the Company with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company’s cable division historically has obtained renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without any material modifications to the agreements. Amortized intangible assets are primarily masthead and non-compete agreements, with amortization periods up to ten years.

 

The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Gross

   Accumulated
Amortization


   Net

2005

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,336,257    $ 298,402    $ 1,037,855

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     656,998      163,806      493,192

Amortized intangible assets

     27,809      13,750      14,059
    

  

  

     $ 2,021,064    $ 475,958    $ 1,545,106
    

  

  

2004

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,321,542    $ 298,402    $ 1,023,140

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     656,998      163,806      493,192

Amortized intangible assets

     20,021      12,142      7,879
    

  

  

     $ 1,998,561    $ 474,350    $ 1,542,211
    

  

  

 

10.


Table of Contents

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the three months ended April 3, 2005 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Goodwill, net

                                              

Beginning of year

   $ 72,770     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666     $ 591,983     $ 1,023,140  

Acquisitions

     7,878       —        —        —         11,161       19,039  

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     —         —        —        —         (4,324 )     (4,324 )
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at April 3, 2005

   $ 80,648     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666     $ 598,820     $ 1,037,855  
    


 

  

  


 


 


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, net

                                              

Beginning of year

     —         —        —      $ 486,330     $ 6,862     $ 493,192  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —        —         —         —    
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at April 3, 2005

     —         —        —      $ 486,330     $ 6,862     $ 493,192  
    


 

  

  


 


 


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Amortized intangible assets, net

                                              

Beginning of year

   $ 118       —        —      $ 2,474     $ 5,287     $ 7,879  

Acquisitions

     7,677       —        —                200       7,877  

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

                                   (89 )     (89 )

Amortization

     (119 )     —        —        (204 )     (1,285 )     (1,608 )
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at April 3, 2005

   $ 7,676       —        —      $ 2,270     $ 4,113     $ 14,059  
    


 

  

  


 


 


 

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the three months ended March 28, 2004 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

Goodwill, net

                                         

Beginning of year

   $ 71,277    $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 536,030    $ 965,694

Acquisitions

     —        —        —        —        43,886      43,886

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     —        —        —        —        2,299      2,299
    

  

  

  

  

  

Balance at March 28, 2004

   $ 71,277    $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 582,215    $ 1,011,879
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

11.


Table of Contents
     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, net

                                          

Beginning of year

     —       —      —      $ 484,556     $ 2,100     $ 486,656  

Acquisitions

     —       —      —        700       —         700  
    


 
  
  


 


 


Balance at March 28, 2004

     —       —      —      $ 485,256     $ 2,100     $ 487,356  
    


 
  
  


 


 


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Amortized intangible assets, net

                                          

Beginning of year

   $ 30     —      —      $ 1,081     $ 4,115     $ 5,226  

Acquisitions

     —       —      —                2,054       2,054  

Amortization

     (4 )   —      —        (38 )     (2,338 )     (2,380 )
    


 
  
  


 


 


Balance at March 28, 2004

   $ 26     —      —      $ 1,043     $ 3,831     $ 4,900  
    


 
  
  


 


 


 

Note 6: Stock Options

 

Effective the first day of the Company’s 2002 fiscal year, the Company adopted the fair-value-based method of accounting for Company stock options as outlined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). This change in accounting method was applied prospectively to all awards granted from the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2002 and thereafter. Stock options awarded prior to fiscal 2002 are accounted for under the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The following table presents what the Company’s results would have been had the fair values of options granted after 1995, but prior to 2002, been recognized as compensation expense in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 (in thousands except per share amounts).

 

     2005

    2004

 

Net income available for common shares, as reported

   $ 66,100     $ 58,924  

Add: Company stock option compensation expense included in net income, net of related tax effects

     172       130  

Deduct: Total Company stock option compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (256 )     (733 )
    


 


Pro forma net income available for common shares

   $ 66,016     $ 58,321  
    


 


Basic earnings per share, as reported

   $ 6.89     $ 6.17  
    


 


Pro forma basic earnings per share

   $ 6.88     $ 6.11  
    


 


Diluted earnings per share, as reported

   $ 6.87     $ 6.15  
    


 


Pro forma diluted earnings per share

   $ 6.86     $ 6.09  
    


 


 

The Company also maintains a stock option plan at its Kaplan subsidiary that provides for the issuance of Kaplan stock options to certain members of Kaplan’s management. Under the provisions of the plan, options are issued with an exercise price equal to the estimated fair value of Kaplan’s common stock and options vest ratably over the number of years specified (generally four to five years) at the time of grant. Upon exercise, an option holder receives cash equal to the difference between the exercise price and the then fair value. The fair value of Kaplan’s common stock is determined by the Company’s compensation committee of the Board of Directors and in January 2005, the committee set the fair value price at $2,080 per share. Also in January 2005, 15,353 Kaplan stock options were exercised, and 10,582 Kaplan stock options were awarded at an option price of $2,080. At March 31, 2005, there are 63,229 Kaplan stock options outstanding. For the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, the Company recorded expense of $7.0 and $9.8 million, respectively, related to this plan.

 

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Note 7: Antidilutive Securities

 

The first quarter 2005 diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 4,000 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would be antidilutive. There were no antidilutive stock options outstanding during the first quarter of 2004.

 

Note 8: Pension and Postretirement Plans

 

The total (income) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement plans for the quarters ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004 consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Pension Plans

    Postretirement Plans

 
     April 3,
2005


    March 28,
2004


    April 3,
2005


    March 28,
2004


 

Service cost

   $ 6,907     $ 5,650     $ 1,506     $ 1,231  

Interest cost

     9,933       9,051       1,859       1,873  

Expected return on assets

     (26,067 )     (23,765 )     —         —    

Amortization of transition asset

     (26 )     (252 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     1,128       1,181       (147 )     (146 )

Recognized actuarial gain

     (1,026 )     (1,909 )     (265 )     (413 )
    


 


 


 


Total (benefit) cost for the quarter

   $ (9,151 )   $ (10,044 )   $ 2,953     $ 2,545  
    


 


 


 


 

The expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.5% in 2005. At January 2, 2005, the Company reduced its assumption on the discount rate from 6.25% to 5.75% for both its pension plans and postretirement plans. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company changed from the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality Table to the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table, for its pension plans. These assumption changes are estimated to cause an approximate $7 million reduction in the 2005 pension credit. Overall, the pension credit for 2005 is expected to be down by approximately $5 million compared to 2004.

 

In December of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was enacted. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health benefit plans that provide a benefit that meets certain criteria. The Company’s other postretirement plans covering retirees currently provide certain prescription benefits to eligible participants. In accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003,” the Company has concluded that the Act is not significant to the Company’s other postretirement plans and therefore, the effects of the Act were incorporated into the latest valuation of December 31, 2004. Overall, the Company’s Postretirement benefit obligation was reduced by about $4.0 million at January 2, 2005 as a result of the Act; the Company’s postretirement expense is expected to be reduced by about $0.5 million in fiscal year 2005 as a result of the Act.

 

Note 9 – Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

 

The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2005, compared to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2004. The 2005 non-operating income is comprised of pre-tax gains of $8.7 million related to the sales of non-operating land and marketable securities.

 

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A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004, follows (in millions):

 

     2005

    2004

 

Gain on sale of non-operating property

   $ 5.4     $ —    

Gain on sale of marketable equity securities

     3.3       —    

Foreign currency (losses) gains, net

     (1.8 )     1.5  

Impairment write-downs on cost method and other investments

     —         (0.7 )

Other gains (losses), net

     0.2       (0.1 )
    


 


Total

   $ 7.1     $ 0.7  
    


 


 

Note 10 – Contingencies

 

On April 29, 2005, Kaplan was named as a party in a class action antitrust lawsuit in California. The Company intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

 

Note 11 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (SFAS 123R), “Shared Based Payment” was issued, which requires companies to record the cost of employee services in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Because the Company adopted the fair-value-based method of accounting for Company stock options in 2002, SFAS 123R will have a minimal impact on the Company’s results of operations when adopted in the first quarter of 2006.

 

EITF Topic D-108, “Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill,” requires companies that have applied the residual method to value intangible assets to perform an impairment test on those intangible assets using the direct method by the end of the first quarter of 2005. As a result, the Company was required to complete such an impairment test at its cable division in the first quarter of 2005, and the Company has concluded that no impairment charge was required.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

This analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

 

Revenues and expenses in the first and third quarters are customarily lower than those in the second and fourth quarters because of significant seasonal fluctuations in advertising volume.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the first quarter of 2005 was $66.6 million ($6.87 per share), up from net income of $59.4 million ($6.15 per share) in the first quarter of last year.

 

Results for the first quarter of 2005 include after-tax non-operating gains from the sales of non-operating land and marketable securities (after-tax impact of $5.4 million, or $0.56 per share).

 

Revenue for the first quarter of 2005 was $833.9 million, up 10% from $759.0 million in 2004. The increase is the result of strong revenue growth at the education division, along with increased revenues at the Company’s newspaper publishing, cable television and television broadcasting divisions. These increases were offset by a decline in operating revenues at the Company’s magazine division due to a reduction in ad pages at the domestic and international editions of Newsweek and the timing of the magazine division’s primary trade show, which was held in the second quarter of 2005 but in the first quarter last year.

 

Operating income for the quarter increased 3% to $108.0 million, from $104.9 million in 2004. The Company benefited from an increase in earnings at the education division, offset by a decline in magazine division results due to the revenue reductions discussed above.

 

The Company’s operating income for the first quarter of 2005 includes $9.2 million of net pension credits, compared to $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2004. At January 2, 2005, the Company reduced its assumption on the discount rate from 6.25% to 5.75% and, during the first quarter of 2005, the Company changed from the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality Table to the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table. Overall, the pension credit for 2005 is expected to be down by approximately $5 million compared to 2004.

 

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Newspaper Publishing Division. Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $233.0 million for the first quarter of 2005, a 6% increase from revenue of $218.8 million for the first quarter of 2004. Division operating income was down 2% to $31.4 million, from $32.0 million in 2004. The decline in operating income reflects an 11% increase in newsprint expense at The Post and increased pension expense; in addition, operating results for 2005 include small losses from two recent acquisitions, Slate and El Tiempo Latino, and costs associated with Spaces, a start-up real estate publication. This was offset by increased division revenues and improved results at the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com.

 

Print advertising revenue at The Washington Post newspaper increased 2% to $145.7 million, from $142.1 million in 2004. This growth was driven by advertising revenue increases in zones and classified, offset by a decline in preprints. Classified recruitment advertising revenue was up 10% to $21.7 million, from $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2004.

 

For the first quarter of 2005, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 3.8% and 3.1%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2004. For the three months ended April 3, 2005, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 704,700 and average Sunday circulation totaled 993,000.

 

Revenue generated by the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, increased 27% to $17.0 million for the first quarter of 2005, versus $13.4 million for 2004. The increase is largely due to growth in local and national online advertising revenues of 32%, as well as a 24% increase in online classified advertising revenue on washingtonpost.com.

 

Television Broadcasting Division. Revenue for the broadcast division rose 4% in the first quarter of 2005 to $79.3 million, from $76.3 million in 2004. The increase is due to strong revenue growth at the Company’s independent station, WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida, along with increases at all but one of the Company’s other television stations, offset by a decline in political advertising from the first quarter of 2004. Operating income for the first quarter of 2005 increased 5% to $32.8 million, from $31.3 million in 2004, due to higher advertising revenues.

 

Magazine Publishing Division. Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $69.9 million for the first quarter of 2005, a 17% decline from $84.5 million for the first quarter of 2004. The division had an operating loss of $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2005, compared to operating income of $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2004. The decline in revenue and operating results is due to the combination of a 22% advertising revenue reduction at Newsweek from lower ad pages at both the domestic and international editions and lower revenue at PostNewsweek Tech Media, whose primary trade show took place in the second quarter of 2005, versus the first quarter in 2004.

 

Cable Television Division. Cable division revenue of $126.4 million for the first quarter of 2005 represents a 4% increase over 2004 first quarter revenue of $121.0 million. The 2005 revenue increase is due to continued growth in the division’s cable modem revenues and a $2 monthly rate increase for basic cable service, effective March 1, 2004 at most of the cable division’s systems. The Company does not plan to implement an overall basic rate increase in 2005.

 

Cable division operating income increased 3% to $23.4 million in the first quarter of 2005, versus $22.6 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in operating income is due mostly to the division’s revenue growth, offset by higher depreciation and programming expenses and increases in internet and customer service costs.

 

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At March 31, 2005, the cable division had approximately 220,400 digital cable subscribers (compared to 229,600 at the end of March 2004 and 219,200 at the end of 2004), representing a 31% penetration of the subscriber base. At March 31, 2005, the cable division had 197,400 CableONE.net service subscribers, compared to 147,300 at the end of March 2004. Both digital and cable modem services are now offered in virtually all of the cable division’s markets. At March 31, 2005, the cable division had 710,400 basic subscribers, compared to 724,700 at the end of March 2004 and 709,100 at the end of December 2004. The decrease is due to small losses associated with the basic rate increase discussed above, along with continued competition from DBS providers.

 

At March 31, 2005, Revenue Generating Units (the sum of basic video, digital video and cable modem subscribers) totaled 1,128,100, compared to 1,101,700 as of March 31, 2004. The increase is due to growth in high-speed data customers. RGUs include about 7,000 subscribers who receive free basic cable service, primarily local governments, schools and other organizations as required by the various franchise agreements.

 

Below are details of Cable division capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, in the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories (in millions):

 

     2005

   2004

Customer Premise Equipment

   $ 5.3    $ 10.5

Commercial

     —        —  

Scaleable Infrastructure

     0.8      2.9

Line Extensions

     2.3      3.8

Upgrade/Rebuild

     2.7      3.8

Support Capital

     5.2      4.1
    

  

Total

   $ 16.3    $ 25.1
    

  

 

Education Division. Education division revenue totaled $325.4 million for the first quarter of 2005, a 26% increase over revenue of $258.3 million for the first quarter of 2004. Kaplan reported first quarter 2005 operating income of $32.6 million, an increase of 58% from $20.6 million in the first quarter of 2004. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, primarily in the higher education division and the professional training schools that are part of supplemental education, education division revenue increased 23% for the first quarter of 2005. A summary of first quarter operating results is as follows:

 

     First Quarter

 

(in thousands)

 

   2005

    2004

    % Change

 

Revenue

                      

Supplemental education

   $ 156,464     $ 135,600     15  

Higher education

     168,919       122,671     38  
    


 


 

     $ 325,383     $ 258,271     26  
    


 


 

Operating income (loss)

                      

Supplemental education

   $ 24,365     $ 20,592     18  

Higher education

     28,288       20,172     40  

Kaplan corporate overhead

     (11,786 )     (7,977 )   (48 )

Other*

     (8,235 )     (12,150 )   32  
    


 


 

     $ 32,632     $ 20,637     58  
    


 


 


* Other includes charges accrued for stock-based incentive compensation and amortization of certain intangibles.

 

Supplemental education includes Kaplan’s test preparation, professional training and Score! businesses. The improvement in supplemental education results for the first quarter of 2005 is to due to enrollment growth at Kaplan’s test preparation business (particularly the K12 business), the professional real estate courses and The Financial Training Company (FTC). Revenues at Score! were flat compared to the first quarter of 2004.

 

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Higher education includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including fixed-facility colleges as well as online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses). Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, higher education revenues grew by 33% in the first quarter of 2005. Higher education results are showing significant growth due to student enrollment increases.

 

Corporate overhead represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.’s corporate office, which rose in the first quarter of 2005 primarily due to increased compensation costs associated with various incentive plans, including one that replaced the Kaplan stock option plan for certain employees.

 

Other expense comprises charges for stock-based incentive compensation arising from a stock option plan established for certain members of Kaplan’s management, and amortization of certain intangibles. Under the stock-based incentive plan, the amount of compensation expense varies directly with the estimated fair value of Kaplan’s common stock and the number of options outstanding. The Company recorded expense of $7.0 million and $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively, related to this plan.

 

Equity in Losses of Affiliates. The Company’s equity in losses of affiliates for the first quarter of 2005 was $0.5 million, compared to losses of $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2004. The Company’s affiliate investments consist of a 49% interest in BrassRing LLC and a 49% interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited. The reduction in first quarter 2005 affiliate losses is attributable to improved operating results at both BrassRing and Bowater.

 

Other Non-Operating Income. The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2005, compared to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2004. The 2005 non-operating income is comprised of pre-tax gains of $8.7 million related to the sales of non-operating land and marketable securities.

 

A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2005 and March 28, 2004, follows (in millions):

 

     2005

    2004

 

Gain on sale of non-operating property

   $ 5.4     $ —    

Gain on sale of marketable equity securities

     3.3       —    

Foreign currency (losses) gains, net

     (1.8 )     1.5  

Impairment write-downs on cost method and other investments

     —         (0.7 )

Other gains (losses), net

     0.2       (0.1 )
    


 


Total

   $ 7.1     $ 0.7  
    


 


 

Net Interest Expense. The Company incurred net interest expense of $5.9 million for the first quarter of 2005, compared to $6.5 million for the same period of the prior year. The reduction is due to lower average borrowings in the first quarter of 2005 versus the same period of the prior year. At April 3, 2005, the Company had $431.7 million in borrowings outstanding, at an average interest rate of 5.5%.

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2005 was 38.7%, compared to 39.0% for the same period of 2004.

 

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Earnings Per Share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2005 was based on 9,617,000 weighted average shares outstanding, compared to 9,582,000 for the first quarter of 2004. The Company made no repurchases of its stock during the first quarter of 2005.

 

Financial Condition: Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Acquisitions. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company acquired Slate, an online magazine and Kaplan acquired two businesses in their higher education division. These acquisitions totaled $26.5 million. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill and other intangibles on a preliminary basis.

 

On April 22, 2005, Kaplan acquired BISYS Education Services, a leading provider of licensing education and compliance solutions for financial services institutions and professionals. BISYS is now part of Kaplan Professional.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million.

 

Capital expenditures. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company’s capital expenditures totaled $52.1 million. The Company estimates that its capital expenditures will be in the range of $225 million to $250 million in 2005.

 

Liquidity. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company paid off its commercial paper borrowings. At April 3, 2005, the Company had $27.6 million in short-term debt investments which are included in cash and cash equivalents. The improvement is primarily due to cash flows from operations, offset in part by borrowings for acquisitions.

 

At April 3, 2005, the Company had $431.7 million in total debt outstanding, which was comprised of $399.0 million of 5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009, and $32.7 million in other debt.

 

During the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $457.8 million and $550.8 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 5.2% and 4.5%, respectively. During the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $5.9 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

 

At April 3, 2005 and January 2, 2005, the Company had working capital of $84.3 million and $66.2 million, respectively. The Company maintains working capital levels consistent with its underlying business requirements and consistently generates cash from operations in excess of required interest or principal payments.

 

The Company expects to fund its estimated capital needs primarily through internally generated funds and, to a lesser extent, commercial paper borrowings. In management’s opinion, the Company will have ample liquidity to meet its various cash needs throughout 2005.

 

As noted above, the Company’s borrowings have declined by $52.4 million, to $431.7 million, as compared to borrowings of $484.1 million at January 2, 2005. There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or other commercial commitments from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2005.

 

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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 various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such 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 for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer) and the Company’s Vice President-Finance (the Company’s principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), as of April 3, 2005. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President-Finance have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Except as otherwise discussed below, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended April 3, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

During the first quarter of 2005, The Company implemented a new system for advertising traffic, sales and billing at four of its six television stations.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

  (a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report:

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated November 13, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003).
3.2    Certificate of Designation for the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock dated September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
3.3    By-Laws of the Company as amended and restated through September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
4.1    Form of the Company’s 5.50% Notes due February 15, 2009, issued under the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).
4.2    Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).
4.3    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 2003, among WP Company LLC, the Company and Bank One, NA, as successor to The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between The Washington Post Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
4.4    364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of August 11, 2004, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., JP Morgan Chase Bank, Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2004).
4.5    5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, Bank One, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2002).
4.6    Consent and Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 13, 2003, to the 5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A. and the other lenders that are parties to such Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
11    Calculation of earnings per share of common stock.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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  (b) The following report on Form 8-K was filed during the quarter for which this report is filed:

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2005, reporting under Item 1 amendments relating to The Washington Post Company Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated January February 25, 2005, reporting under Item 2 the Company’s fourth quarter earnings and including as an exhibit the Company’s press release dated February 25, 2005.

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 28, 2005, reporting under Item 1 amendments to The Washington Post Company Deferred Compensation Plan

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

        THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
        (Registrant)
Date:    May 6, 2005      

/s/ Donald E. Graham


        Donald E. Graham,
        Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
        (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:    May 6, 2005      

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


        John B. Morse, Jr.,
        Vice President-Finance
        (Principal Financial Officer)

 

23.

EXHIBIT 11

Exhibit 11

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

CALCULATION OF EARNINGS

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

(In thousands of shares)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

     April 3,
2005


   March 28,
2004


Number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at beginning of period

     9,576      9,542

Issuance of shares of Class B common stock (weighted), net of forfeiture of restricted stock awards

     13      8
    

  

Shares used in the computation of basic earnings per common share

     9,589      9,550

Adjustment to reflect dilution from common stock Equivalents

     28      32
    

  

Shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per common share

     9,617      9,582
    

  

Net income available for common shares

   $ 66,100    $ 58,924
    

  

Basic earnings per common Share

   $ 6.89    $ 6.17
    

  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 6.87    $ 6.15
    

  

EXHIBIT 31.1

Exhibit 31.1

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

May 6, 2005

EXHIBIT 31.2

Exhibit 31.2

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

May 6, 2005

EXHIBIT 32.1

Exhibit 32.1

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 3, 2005 (the “Report”), I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

May 6, 2005

EXHIBIT 32.2

Exhibit 32.2

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 3, 2005 (the “Report”), I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

May 6, 2005