Saga Communications Inc.

11/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/07/2024 08:06

Reports 3rd Quarter 2024 Results Form 8 K

Reports 3rd Quarter 2024 Results

Contact:

Samuel D. Bush

(313) 886-7070

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI - November 7, 2024 - Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the "Company" or "Saga") today reported that net revenue decreased 3.5% to $28.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to $29.1 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense increased 3.1% for the quarter to $23.5 million compared to the same period last year. For the quarter, operating income was $1.6 million compared to $3.5 million for the same quarter last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 21.2% to $6.0 million. Capital expenditures were $625 thousand for the quarter compared to $760 thousand for the same period last year. We had net income of $1.3 million for the quarter compared to net income of $2.7 million for the third quarter last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.20 in the third quarter of 2024.

On a same station basis for the three months ended September 30, 2024 net revenue decreased 5.8% to $27.5 million and station operating expense decreased 0.3% to $22.7 million while operating income decreased 49.7% to $1.8 million.

Net revenue decreased 2.5% to $81.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 compared to $83.6 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense increased 4.7% for the nine-month period to $70.0 million compared to the same period last year. For the nine-month period, operating income was $1.4 million compared to $8.7 million and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 25.2% to $15.2 million. Capital expenditures for the nine-months were $3.2 million compared to $3.4 million for the same period last year. Net income was $2.2 million for the nine-month period compared to $7.0 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.35 in the nine-months of 2024.

On a same station basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 net revenue decreased 3.6% to $80.6 million from last year and station operating expense increased 3.2% to $69.0 million while operating income decreased 83.4% to $1.4 million.

The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on October 18, 2024. The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend was approximately $1.6 million. To date Saga has paid over $133 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012. The Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in the future. Consistent with its strategic objective of maintaining a strong balance sheet and with returning value to our shareholders, the Board of Directors will also continue to consider declaring special cash dividends, variable dividends and stock buybacks in the future.

The Company's balance sheet reflects $28.7 million in cash and short-term investments as of September 30, 2024 and $28.0 million as of November 4, 2024. The Company currently has $5.0 million drawn against its $50.0 million revolving credit facility. The Company expects to spend approximately $4.0 - $4.5 million for capital expenditures during 2024.

Saga's 2024 Third Quarter conference call will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008. Enter conference code 674708. A recording and 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 please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on November 7, 2024 to [email protected]. 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 directions will be discussed during the call.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose "actual", "same station", and "proforma" financial information as well as the Company's reconciliation of non-GAAP measures: GAAP operating income to station operating income, GAAP net income to trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA and actual operating results to same station operating results as well as other financial data. The actual financial information reflects 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 financial information reflects only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The proforma financial information assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, pro forma financial information, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and 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 the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as "will," "may," "believes," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The material risks facing our business are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that forward-looking statements may be impacted by several factors, including global, national, and local economic changes and changes in the radio broadcast industry in general as well as Saga's actual performance. Actual results may vary materially from those described herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update any information contained herein that constitutes a forward-looking statement.

Saga is a media company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties with a growing focus on opportunities complimentary to our core radio business including digital, e-commerce and non-traditional revenue initiatives. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 28 markets, including 82 FM, 32 AM radio stations and 79 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, 2024 and 2023

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$

28,118

$

29,149

$

81,524

$

83,628

Station operating expense

23,458

22,760

69,983

66,870

Corporate general and administrative

2,966

2,852

9,144

7,940

Other operating expense, net

49

45

1,026

125

Operating income

1,645

3,492

1,371

8,693

Interest expense

121

44

235

130

Interest income

(255)

(391)

(809)

(1,027)

Other income, net

(78)

-

(1,211)

(119)

Income before income tax expense

1,857

3,839

3,156

9,709

Income tax provision

Current

415

835

715

2,020

Deferred

175

275

250

690

590

1,110

965

2,710

Net income

$

1,267

$

2,729

$

2,191

$

6,999

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

0.20

$

0.45

$

0.35

$

1.15

Diluted

$

0.20

$

0.45

$

0.35

$

1.15

Weighted average common shares

6,075

6,032

6,070

6,031

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares

6,075

6,032

6,070

6,031

September 30,

2024

2023

Balance Sheet Data

Working capital

$

30,048

$

43,087

Net fixed assets

$

52,721

$

52,855

Net intangible assets and other assets

$

122,086

$

120,268

Total assets

$

223,210

$

234,367

Long-term debt

$

5,000

$

-

Stockholders' equity

$

165,992

$

181,935

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024 and 2023

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

2,191

$

6,999

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

Depreciation and amortization

3,847

3,737

Deferred income tax expense

250

690

Amortization of deferred costs

27

27

Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

1,447

743

Loss on sale of assets, net

1,026

125

(Gain) on insurance claims

(78)

-

Other (gain), net

(1,133)

(119)

Barter (revenue) expense, net

(20)

44

Deferred and other compensation

(165)

(239)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisition:

Increase (decrease) in receivables and prepaid expenses

1,848

(51)

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

901

1,965

Total adjustments

7,950

6,922

Net cash provided by operating activities

10,141

13,921

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of short-term investments

(12,993)

(14,441)

Redemption of short-term investments

15,104

14,437

Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)

(3,199)

(3,397)

Acquisition of broadcast properties

(5,711)

-

Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets

176

621

Proceeds from redemption of investments and other

1,221

-

Other investing activities

(2)

117

Net cash used in investing activities

(5,404)

(2,663)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt

5,000

-

Cash dividends paid

(19,391)

(16,816)

Purchase of treasury shares

(11)

-

Net cash used in financing activities

(14,402)

(16,816)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(9,665)

(5,558)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

29,582

36,802

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

19,917

$

31,244

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three Months Ended

September 30, 2024 and 2023

(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,

2024

2023

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$

28,118

$

29,149

$

27,452

$

29,149

$

28,118

$

29,986

Station operating expense

23,458

22,760

22,683

22,760

23,458

23,474

Corporate general and administrative

2,966

2,852

2,966

2,852

2,966

2,852

Other operating expense, net

49

45

46

45

49

45

Operating income

1,645

3,492

$

1,757

$

3,492

1,645

3,615

Interest expense

121

44

121

122

Interest income

(255)

(391)

(255)

(391)

Other income, net

(78)

-

(78)

-

Income before income tax expense

1,857

3,839

1,857

3,884

Income tax provision

Current

415

835

415

840

Deferred

175

275

175

281

590

1,110

590

1,121

Net income

$

1,267

$

2,729

$

1,267

$

2,763

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

0.20

$

0.45

$

0.20

$

0.45

Diluted

$

0.20

$

0.45

$

0.20

$

0.45

Weighted average common shares

6,075

6,032

6,075

6,032

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares

6,075

6,032

6,075

6,032

Actual

Same Station (1)

Pro Forma (2)

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

2024

2023

Depreciation and amortization by segment

Radio Stations

$

1,325

$

1,204

$

1,184

$

1,205

$

1,325

$

1,341

Corporate

66

58

66

59

66

58

$

1,391

$

1,262

$

1,250

$

1,264

$

1,391

$

1,399

(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 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023.

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024 and 2023

(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,

2024

2023

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$

81,524

$

83,628

$

80,598

$

83,628

$

82,692

$

85,973

Station operating expense

69,983

66,870

68,985

66,870

71,127

68,956

Corporate general and administrative

9,144

7,940

9,144

7,940

9,144

7,940

Other operating expense, net

1,026

125

1,024

125

1,026

125

Operating income

1,371

8,693

$

1,445

$

8,693

1,395

8,952

Interest expense

235

130

366

366

Interest income

(809)

(1,027)

(809)

(1,027)

Other income, net

(1,211)

(119)

(1,211)

(119)

Income before income tax expense

3,156

9,709

3,049

9,732

Income tax provision

Current

715

2,020

690

2,025

Deferred

250

690

246

691

965

2,710

936

2,716

Net income

$

2,191

$

6,999

$

2,113

$

7,016

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

0.35

$

1.15

$

0.34

$

1.15

Diluted

$

0.35

$

1.15

$

0.34

$

1.15

Weighted average common shares

6,070

6,031

6,070

6,031

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares

6,070

6,031

6,070

6,031

Actual

Same Station (1)

Pro Forma (2)

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

2024

2023

Depreciation and amortization by segment

Radio Stations

$

3,690

$

3,599

$

3,504

$

3,599

$

3,919

$

4,011

Corporate

157

138

157

138

157

138

$

3,847

$

3,737

$

3,661

$

3,737

$

4,076

$

4,149

(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 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023.

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024 and 2023

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure)

Operating income

$

1,645

$

3,492

$

1,371

$

8,693

Plus:

Corporate general and administrative

2,966

2,852

9,144

7,940

Other operating expense, net

49

45

1,026

125

Station depreciation and amortization

1,325

1,204

3,690

3,599

Station operating income

$

5,985

$

7,593

$

15,231

$

20,357

Other financial data

Depreciation and amortization:

Radio Stations

$

1,325

$

1,204

$

3,690

$

3,599

Corporate

$

66

$

58

$

157

$

138

Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

$

474

$

250

$

1,447

(1)

$

743

(1)

Other operating expense, net (2)

$

49

$

45

$

1,026

$

125

Other income, net (2)

$

(78)

$

-

$

(1,211)

$

(119)

Deferred income tax expense (2)

$

175

$

275

$

250

$

690

Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)

$

625

$

760

$

3,199

(1)

$

3,397

(1)

(1) As presented in the Statement of Cash Flows in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data tables
(2) As presented in the Operating Results in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data tables

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

September 30, 2024

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

Less:

Plus:

Trailing

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Add:

12 Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

September 30,

Pro Forma

September 30,

2023

2023

2024

Acquisitions (2)

2024

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (a non-GAAP financial measure) (1)

Net income

$

9,500

$

6,999

$

2,191

$

63

$

4,755

Exclusions:

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net

(120)

(125)

(1,026)

-

(1,021)

Other income, net

1,510

1,102

2,040

-

2,448

Total exclusions

1,390

977

1,014

-

1,427

Consolidated adjusted net income (1)

8,110

6,022

1,177

63

3,328

Plus:

Interest expense

173

130

235

210

488

Income tax provision

3,375

2,710

965

(6)

1,624

Depreciation & amortization expense

5,055

3,737

3,847

289

5,454

Non-cash compensation

1,116

743

1,447

-

1,820

Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

$

17,829

$

13,342

$

7,671

$

556

$

12,714

Total long-term debt, including current maturities

$

5,000

Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

12,714

Leverage ratio

0.39

(1) As defined in the Company's credit facility.
(2) Trailing Twelve Month Adjustment.

Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2024 and 2023

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income

Adjustments

Adjustments

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,

2024

Period

2024

2023

Period

2023

Net operating revenue

$

28,118

$

(666)

$

27,452

$

29,149

$

-

$

29,149

Station operating expense

23,458

(775)

22,683

22,760

-

22,760

Corporate general and administrative

2,966

-

2,966

2,852

-

2,852

Other operating expense, net

49

(3)

46

45

-

45

Operating income

$

1,645

$

112

$

1,757

$

3,492

$

-

$

3,492

Adjustments

Adjustments

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,

2024

Period

2024

2023

Period

2023

Net operating revenue

$

81,524

$

(926)

$

80,598

$

83,628

$

-

$

83,628

Station operating expense

69,983

(998)

68,985

66,870

-

66,870

Corporate general and administrative

9,144

-

9,144

7,940

-

7,940

Other operating expense, net

1,026

(2)

1,024

125

-

125

Operating income

$

1,371

$

74

$

1,445

$

8,693

$

-

$

8,693