Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter and Year-To-Date 2019 Results Net Income for the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019 is Flat with the Same Period in 2018

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGA) today reported net revenue of $31.3 million for the quarter compared to $31.7 million for the same quarter last year. Gross Revenue was flat with last year for the quarter net of $96 thousand of political revenue this quarter and $486 thousand of political revenue for the same period last year. Station operating expense increased $171 thousand to $23.6 million and operating income decreased $520 thousand to $4.8 million compared to $5.3 million for the same period last year. Net Income decreased $361 thousand to $3.3 million for the quarter. Diluted earnings per share were $0.56/share in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $0.62/share during the same period in 2018. Free cash flow decreased $697 thousand to $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, with $385 thousand of the decrease due to a reduction in the Company's deferred tax provision.

On a same station basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 net revenue decreased $1.4 million to $30.3 million. Operating expense decreased $779 thousand to $22.7 million while operating income decreased $593 thousand to $4.7 million.

Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 was flat with the same period last year at $9.4 million. Net revenue decreased $610 thousand to $91.3 million. Gross Revenue was flat with last year for the nine-month period net of $351 thousand of political revenue this year and $1.3 million of political revenue for the same period last year. Station operating expense decreased $324 thousand to $69.6 million and operating income decreased $299 thousand to $13.4 million compared to $13.7 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $1.59/share for the nine-month period in 2019 compared to $1.58/share during the same period in 2018. Free cash flow decreased $810 thousand to $12.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, with $780 thousand of the decrease due to a reduction in the Company's deferred tax provision.

On a same station basis for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 net revenue decreased $3.8 million to $88.1 million. Operating expense decreased $3.0 million to $66.9 million while operating income decreased $717 thousand to $13.0 million.

The Company had $41.1 million in cash on hand as of September 30, 2019 and $42.3 million as of November 4, 2019. The Company's total bank debt was $10 million as of the end of the quarter. Including the recent $0.30 per share dividend which was paid on October 11, 2019, the Company will have paid almost $68 million in dividends since December 3, 2012.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter were flat with the same period last year at $1.5 million. For the nine-month period capital expenditures were $4.7 million compared to $4.5 million last year. The Company expects to spend approximately $5.5 - 6.0 million for capital expenditures during 2019.

Saga's 2019 3rd Quarter conference call will be on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. EST. The dial-in number for the call is 973/528-0008. Enter conference code 152645. A transcript of the call will be posted to the Company's website as soon as it is available after the call.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company to please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. EST on November 7, 2019 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing will be discussed during the call.

The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose "actual", "same station", and "proforma" information as well as the Company's trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA. The "actual" amounts reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The "same station" amounts reflect only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The "proforma" amounts assume all acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 occurred as of January 1, 2018.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, free cash flow, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and consolidated net leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position. Saga's management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated and Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Key risks, including risks associated with Saga's ability to effectively integrate the stations it acquires and the impact of federal regulation on Saga's business, are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that these statements may be impacted by several factors, including national and local economic changes and changes in the radio and television broadcast industry in general, as well as Saga's actual performance. Results may vary from those stated herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update the information contained here.

Saga is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM radio stations, 34 AM radio stations and 77 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.

                                                          
            
              Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                     
            
              Selected Consolidated Financial Data


                                                     
            
              For The Three and Nine Months Ended


                                                         
            
              September 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                   
            
              (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                 
            
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                             Three Months Ended                Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                                             September 30,                  September 30,


                                                                                                                                    2019           2018              2019                    2018




     
              Operating Results



     Net operating revenue                                                                                     $31,274 $31,648      $91,281        $91,891



     Station operating expense                                                                                                  23,600         23,429            69,642                  69,966



     Corporate general and administrative                                                                                        2,788          2,813             8,179                   8,205



     Other operating expense, net                                                                                                   85             85                86                      47



     Operating income                                                                                                            4,801          5,321            13,374                  13,673



     Interest expense                                                                                                              180            243               572                     717



     Interest income                                                                                                             (162)         (167)            (485)                  (444)



     Other income, net                                                                                                            (11)          (25)             (11)                   (25)




     Income before income tax expense                                                                                            4,794          5,270            13,298                  13,425



     Income tax expense                                                                                                          1,460          1,575             3,860                   4,030




     Net income                                                                                                 $3,334  $3,695       $9,438         $9,395






     Basic earnings per share                                                                                    $0.56   $0.62        $1.59          $1.58




     Diluted earnings per share                                                                                  $0.56   $0.62        $1.59          $1.58






     Weighted average common shares                                                                                              5,834          5,822             5,840                   5,833



     Weighted average common and common


                                            
     equivalent shares                                                                      5,834          5,822             5,840                   5,833





     
              Free Cash Flow



     Net income                                                                                                 $3,334  $3,695       $9,438         $9,395



     Plus: Depreciation and amortization:


                                            
             Radio Stations                                                                 1,637          1,603             4,894                   4,789


                                            
             Corporate                                                                         71             71               214                     209



              Deferred tax provision                                                                                               400            785             1,100                   1,880



              Non-cash compensation                                                                                                532            570             1,656                   1,675



              Other operating expense, net                                                                                          85             85                86                      47



              Other income, net                                                                                                   (11)          (25)             (11)                   (25)



     Less:  Capital expenditures                                                                                               (1,505)       (1,544)          (4,667)                (4,450)



     Free cash flow                                                                                             $4,543  $5,240      $12,710        $13,520





                                                                                                                                                                               September 30,


                                                                                                                                                    2019              2018




     
              Balance Sheet Data


                                            
     Working capital                                                                                                     $46,234                 $57,828


                                            
     Net fixed assets                                                                                                     59,234                  56,152


                                            
     Net intangible assets and other assets                                                                              126,325                 114,848


                                            
     Total assets                                                                                                        248,999                 242,561


                                            
     Long-term debt                                                                                                       10,000                  20,000


                                            
     Stockholders' equity                                                                                                190,403                 184,158

                                                                                                                                                 
           
            Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                              
          
           Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                 
           
            For the Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                
           
            September 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                                            
          
           (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                                                                                                      
         
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                               Actual                                                        Same Station (1)             Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended                                                 Three Months Ended         Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                            September 30,                                                      September 30,              September 30,


                                                                                                                                       2019                   2018                                                2019                  2018      2019       2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                                       $31,274                $31,648                                             $30,251               $31,648   $31,274    $32,772



       Station operating expense                                                                                                    23,600                 23,429                                              22,650                23,429    23,600     24,321



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                                          2,788                  2,813                                               2,788                 2,813     2,788      2,813



       Other operating expense, net                                                                                                     85                     85                                                  85                    85        85         85



       Operating income                                                                                                              4,801                  5,321                                              $4,728                $5,321     4,801      5,553



       Interest expense                                                                                                                180                    243                                                                               180        243



       Interest income                                                                                                               (162)                 (167)                                                                            (162)     (167)



       Other income, net                                                                                                              (11)                  (25)                                                                             (11)      (25)




       Income before income tax expense                                                                                              4,794                  5,270                                                                             4,794      5,502



       Income tax expense                                                                                                            1,460                  1,575                                                                             1,460      1,644




       Net income                                                                                                                   $3,334                 $3,695                                                                            $3,334     $3,858

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===




       Basic earnings per share                                                                                                      $0.56                  $0.62                                                                             $0.56      $0.65

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===


       Diluted earnings per share                                                                                                    $0.56                  $0.62                                                                             $0.56      $0.65

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===



                                                                                                                               Actual                                                        Same Station (1)             Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended                                                 Three Months Ended         Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                            September 30,                                                      September 30,              September 30,


                                                                                                                                       2019                   2018                                                2019                  2018      2019       2018




       
                Depreciation and amortization


                       
              
                by segment



       Radio Stations                                                                                                               $1,637                 $1,603                                              $1,488                $1,603    $1,637     $1,732



       Corporate                                                                                                                        71                     71                                                  71                    71        71         71


                                                                                                                                     $1,708                 $1,674                                              $1,559                $1,674    $1,708     $1,803





      
             (1)              Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire
                                   comparable period.


      
             (2)              Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2019 and 2018 occurred as of
                                   January 1, 2018.

                                                                                                                                                
            
             Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                             
          
            Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                
            
             For the Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                                               
            
             September 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                                           
          
            (amounts in 000's except per share data)


                                                                                                                                                      
          
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                               Actual                                                         Same Station (1)            Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                         Nine Months Ended                                                    Nine Months Ended         Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                           September 30,                                                        September 30,             September 30,


                                                                                                                                      2019                      2018                                               2019                 2018      2019       2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                                      $91,281                   $91,891                                            $88,146              $91,891   $91,281    $95,220



       Station operating expense                                                                                                   69,642                    69,966                                             66,925               69,966    69,642     72,617



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                                         8,179                     8,205                                              8,179                8,205     8,179      8,205



       Other operating expense, net                                                                                                    86                        47                                                 86                   47        86         47



       Operating income                                                                                                            13,374                    13,673                                            $12,956              $13,673    13,374     14,351



       Interest expense                                                                                                               572                       717                                                                             572        717



       Interest income                                                                                                              (485)                    (444)                                                                          (485)     (444)



       Other income, net                                                                                                             (11)                     (25)                                                                           (11)      (25)




       Income before income tax expense                                                                                            13,298                    13,425                                                                          13,298     14,103



       Income tax expense                                                                                                           3,860                     4,030                                                                           3,860      4,233




       Net income                                                                                                                  $9,438                    $9,395                                                                          $9,438     $9,870

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===




       Basic earnings per share                                                                                                     $1.59                     $1.58                                                                           $1.59      $1.66

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===


       Diluted earnings per share                                                                                                   $1.59                     $1.58                                                                           $1.59      $1.66

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ===



                                                                                                                               Actual                                                         Same Station (1)            Pro Forma (2)


                                                                                                                         Nine Months Ended                                                    Nine Months Ended         Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                           September 30,                                                        September 30,             September 30,


                                                                                                                                      2019                      2018                                               2019                 2018      2019       2018




       
                Depreciation and amortization


                       
              
                by segment



       Radio Stations                                                                                                              $4,894                    $4,789                                             $4,477               $4,789    $4,894     $5,184



       Corporate                                                                                                                      214                       209                                                214                  209       214        209


                                                                                                                                    $5,108                    $4,998                                             $4,691               $4,998    $5,108     $5,393





      
             (1)              Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire
                                   comparable period.


      
             (2)              Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2019 and 2018 occurred as of
                                   January 1, 2018.

                                                                                                                                                  
             
                Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                                                              
           
                Selected Supplemental Financial Data


                                                                                                                                                    
              
                September 30, 2019


                                                                                                                                                
           
                (amounts in 000's except ratios)


                                                                                                                                                        
              
                (Unaudited)








                                                                                                                                                                         
              
                Less:                 
        
         Plus:                                                               
        
        Trailing


                                                                                                              
              
      12 Mos Ended                              
              
                9 Mos Ended            
        
        9 Mos Ended              
       
       Add:                                
        
        12 Mos Ended


                                                                                                              
              
      December 31,                             
              
                September 30,          
        
        September 30,           
       
       Proforma                             
        
        September 30,


                                                                                                                                                            2018                                             2018                              2019                       
     
     Acquisitions (2)                                       2019




     
                Trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest,



     
                  Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (1)



     Net income                                                                                                                         $13,690                                                     $9,395                            $9,438                         $93                                                  $13,826



     Exclusions:


                                                                             
      Gain (loss) on sale of assets                                                 (61)                                            (47)                             (86)                                                                                (100)


                                                                             
      Other gains and (losses)                                                        23                                               25                                11                                                                                     9


                                                                             
      Interest income                                                                631                                              444                               485                                                                                   672


                                                                             
      Other                                                                        (107)                                              58                               239                                                                                    74



     Total exclusions                                                                                                                                       486                                              480                               649                                                                                   655

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ---


     Consolidated adjusted net income (1)                                                                                                                13,204                                            8,915                             8,789                                           93                                    13,171



     Plus:  Interest expense                                                                                                                                946                                              717                               572                                                                                   801


                                                                             
      Income tax expense                                                           5,700                                            4,030                             3,860                                           41                                     5,571


                                                                             
      Depreciation & amortization expense                                          6,786                                            4,998                             5,108                                          133                                     7,029


                                                                             
      Non-cash stock based compensation expense                                    2,201                                            1,675                             1,656                                                                                 2,182



     Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)                                                                                      $28,837                                                    $20,335                           $19,985                        $267                                                  $28,754






     Total long-term debt, including current maturities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                $10,000



     Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                          $28,754



     Leverage ratio                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       0.35









                                                             
              (1) 
      As defined in the Company's credit facility.


                                                             
              (2) 
      Trailing 12 Month Adjustment

                                                                                                                  
              
                Saga Communications, Inc.


                                                                                                          
             
                Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures


                                                                                                             
              
                For the Three and Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                 
              
                September 30, 2019 and 2018


                                                                                                                    
              
                (amounts in 000's)


                                                                                                                       
              
                (Unaudited)







       
                
                  Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income

    ---



                                                                                                                                                 
              
                Adjustment                                                                    
           
           Adjustment


                                                                                         
              
              Actual                         
              
                For Acquisitions     
        
        Same Station        
         
         Actual          
          
           For Acquisitions   
        
        Same Station


                                                                                      
              
              Three Months                      
              
                and Dispositions     
        
        Three Months     
         
         Three Months       
          
           and Dispositions   
        
        Three Months


                                                                                          
              
              Ended                         
              
                Not Included in         
        
         Ended            
         
         Ended          
          
           Not Included in       
        
         Ended


                                                                                      
              
              September 30,                    
              
                Entire Comparable     
        
        September 30,    
         
         September 30,     
          
           Entire Comparable   
        
        September 30,


                                                                                                                       2019                         
              
                Period                               2019                          2018      
           
              Period                             2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                       $31,274                                                       $(1,023)                    $30,251                       $31,648          
         $                 -                      $31,648



       Station operating expense                                                                                    23,600                                                          (950)                     22,650                        23,429                                                          23,429



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                          2,788                                                                                     2,788                         2,813                                                           2,813



       Other operating expense, net                                                                                     85                                                                                        85                            85                                                              85



       Operating income                                                                                             $4,801                                                          $(73)                     $4,728                        $5,321          
         $                 -                       $5,321






       
                Depreciation and amortization                                                                   $1,708                                                         $(149)                     $1,559                        $1,674          
         $                 -                       $1,674







                                                                                                                                                 
              
                Adjustment                                                                    
           
           Adjustment


                                                                                         
              
              Actual                         
              
                For Acquisitions     
        
        Same Station        
         
         Actual          
          
           For Acquisitions   
        
        Same Station


                                                                                       
              
              Nine Months                      
              
                and Dispositions      
        
        Nine Months      
         
         Nine Months       
          
           and Dispositions    
        
        Nine Months


                                                                                          
              
              Ended                         
              
                Not Included in         
        
         Ended            
         
         Ended          
          
           Not Included in       
        
         Ended


                                                                                      
              
              September 30,                    
              
                Entire Comparable     
        
        September 30,    
         
         September 30,     
          
           Entire Comparable   
        
        September 30,


                                                                                                                       2019                         
              
                Period                               2019                          2018      
           
              Period                             2018




       
                Consolidated



       Net operating revenue                                                                                       $91,281                                                       $(3,135)                    $88,146                       $91,891          
         $                 -                      $91,891



       Station operating expense                                                                                    69,642                                                        (2,717)                     66,925                        69,966                                                          69,966



       Corporate general and administrative                                                                          8,179                                                                                     8,179                         8,205                                                           8,205



       Other operating expense, net                                                                                     86                                                                                        86                            47                                                              47



       Operating income                                                                                            $13,374                                                         $(418)                    $12,956                       $13,673          
         $                 -                      $13,673






       
                Depreciation and amortization                                                                   $5,108                                                         $(417)                     $4,691                        $4,998          
         $                 -                       $4,998


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SOURCE Saga Communications, Inc.