10-Q 2014 Q1

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2014
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file no. 1-33741


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
38-3765318
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
P. O. Box 224866, Dallas, Texas 75222-4866
 
(214) 977-8200
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.
None
Indicate by check mark whether 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   þ     No   o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   þ     No   o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer:  o
 
Accelerated filer:  þ
 
Non-accelerated filer:  o
 
Smaller reporting company:  o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes   o     No   þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest possible date.
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at
Class
 
April 25, 2014
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
22,015,425
Total Common Stock consists of 19,623,155 shares of Series A Common Stock and 2,392,270 shares of Series B Common Stock.



A. H. BELO CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.



Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1. Financial Information

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
Net Operating Revenue
 
 
 
Advertising and marketing services
$
46,860

 
$
49,214

Circulation
29,347

 
28,944

Printing and distribution
9,379

 
8,582

Total net operating revenue
85,586

 
86,740

Operating Costs and Expense
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
36,837

 
39,342

Other production, distribution and operating costs
34,525

 
34,905

Newsprint, ink and other supplies
11,706

 
12,049

Depreciation
4,062

 
4,813

Amortization
1,123

 
1,123

Total operating costs and expense
88,253

 
92,232

Loss from operations
(2,667
)
 
(5,492
)
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
 
Gains (losses) on equity method investments, net
(408
)
 
549

Interest expense
(1
)
 
(411
)
Other income (loss), net
118

 
(104
)
Total other income (expense), net
(291
)
 
34

Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
(2,958
)
 
(5,458
)
Income tax provision
907

 
436

Loss from Continuing Operations
(3,865
)
 
(5,894
)
Loss from discontinued operations

 
(2,199
)
Gain (loss) related to the divestiture of discontinued operations, net
(178
)
 

Tax benefit from discontinued operations

 
(17
)
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net
(178
)
 
(2,182
)
Net Loss
(4,043
)
 
(8,076
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6
)
 
(54
)
Net Loss Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
(4,037
)
 
$
(8,022
)
 
 
 
 
Per Share Basis
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.27
)
Discontinued operations
(0.01
)
 
(0.10
)
Net loss attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
(0.19
)
 
$
(0.37
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
21,918,800

 
22,032,803

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
PAGE 1

Table of Contents

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
Net Loss
$
(4,043
)
 
$
(8,076
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
 
 
 
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)
(173
)
 
245

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(173
)
 
245

Comprehensive Loss
(4,216
)
 
(7,831
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6
)
 
(54
)
Total Comprehensive Loss Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
(4,210
)
 
$
(7,777
)
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 2
A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands, except share amounts (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
82,540

 
$
82,193

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $1,394 and $1,248
at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)
32,606

 
41,174

Inventories
11,024

 
8,180

Prepaids and other current assets
9,817

 
7,444

Deferred income taxes, net
251

 
61

Assets of discontinued operations
778

 
1,633

Total current assets
137,016

 
140,685

Property, plant and equipment, at cost
545,327

 
544,206

Less accumulated depreciation
(451,070
)
 
(447,094
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
94,257

 
97,112

Intangible assets, net
4,219

 
5,342

Goodwill
24,582

 
24,582

Investments
6,924

 
7,333

Deferred income taxes, net
277

 
538

Other assets
3,701

 
3,626

Total assets
$
270,976

 
$
279,218

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
14,950

 
$
15,488

Accrued compensation and benefits
13,971

 
12,308

Other accrued expense
4,155

 
5,332

Advance subscription payments
19,748

 
19,184

Liabilities of discontinued operations
628

 
2,028

Total current liabilities
53,452

 
54,340

Long-term pension liabilities
47,257

 
50,082

Other post-employment benefits
2,764

 
2,757

Other liabilities
3,828

 
3,263

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 125,000,000 shares
 
 
 
Series A: issued 20,229,395 and 19,931,599 shares
at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
202

 
199

Series B: issued 2,392,430 and 2,397,155 shares
at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
24

 
24

Treasury stock, Series A, at cost; 570,428 and 495,200 shares held
at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
(3,788
)
 
(3,113
)
Additional paid-in capital
498,274

 
496,682

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(15,266
)
 
(15,093
)
Accumulated deficit
(315,941
)
 
(310,099
)
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
163,505

 
168,600

Noncontrolling interests
170

 
176

Total shareholders’ equity
163,675

 
168,776

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
270,976

 
$
279,218

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
PAGE 3

Table of Contents

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
In thousands, except share amounts (unaudited)
Shares
Series A
Shares
Series B
Amount
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Shares Series A
Amount
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated Deficit
Non-controlling Interests
Total
Balance at
December 31, 2012
19,651,830

2,401,556

$
221

$
495,528

(74,130
)
$
(350
)
$
(73,532
)
$
(319,862
)
$
55

$
102,060

Net loss







(8,022
)
(54
)
(8,076
)
Other comprehensive income






245



245

Capital contributions of noncontrolling interests








83

83

Treasury stock purchases




(112,049
)
(597
)



(597
)
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units
218,085


2

(2
)






Income tax on options and RSUs



(52
)





(52
)
Share-based compensation



795






795

Conversion of Series B to Series A
880

(880
)








Dividends







(1,367
)

(1,367
)
Balance at
March 31, 2013
19,870,795

2,400,676

$
223

$
496,269

(186,179
)
$
(947
)
$
(73,287
)
$
(329,251
)
$
84

$
93,091

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
December 31, 2013
19,931,599

2,397,155

$
223

$
496,682

(495,200
)
$
(3,113
)
$
(15,093
)
$
(310,099
)
$
176

$
168,776

Net loss







(4,037
)
(6
)
(4,043
)
Other comprehensive loss






(173
)


(173
)
Treasury stock purchases




(75,228
)
(675
)



(675
)
Issuance of shares for restricted stock units
157,659


2

(2
)






Issuance of shares for stock option exercises
135,412


1

597






598

Income tax on options and RSUs



470






470

Share-based compensation



527






527

Conversion of Series B to Series A
4,725

(4,725
)








Dividends







(1,805
)

(1,805
)
Balance at
March 31, 2014
20,229,395

2,392,430

$
226

$
498,274

(570,428
)
$
(3,788
)
$
(15,266
)
$
(315,941
)
$
170

$
163,675

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAGE 4
A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands (unaudited)
2014
 
2013
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net Loss
$
(4,043
)
 
$
(8,076
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used for) operations:
 
 
 
Net loss from discontinued operations
178

 
2,182

Depreciation and amortization
5,185

 
5,936

Net periodic benefit and contributions related to employee benefit plans
(3,009
)
 
(5,175
)
Share-based compensation
527

 
748

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 
(133
)
Deferred income taxes
542

 
103

Equity method investment (gains) losses
408

 
(549
)
Write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs

 
401

Other operating activities

 
188

Changes in working capital and other operating assets and liabilities, net
4,370

 
5,192

Net cash provided by continuing operations
4,158

 
817

Net cash provided by (used for) discontinued operations
(722
)
 
116

Net cash provided by operating activities
3,436

 
933

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures, net
(1,207
)
 
(1,362
)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 
168

Net cash used for continuing investing activities
(1,207
)
 
(1,194
)
Net cash used for discontinued investing activities

 
(7
)
Net cash used for investing activities
(1,207
)
 
(1,201
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(1,805
)
 
(1,367
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
598

 

Purchase of treasury stock
(675
)
 
(597
)
Net cash used for financing activities
(1,882
)
 
(1,964
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
347

 
(2,232
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
82,193

 
34,094

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
82,540

 
$
31,862

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
PAGE 5

Table of Contents

A. H. Belo Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business.    A. H. Belo Corporation and subsidiaries (“A. H. Belo” or the “Company”), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates three metropolitan daily newspapers and related websites, with publishing roots that trace to The Galveston Daily News, which began publication in 1842. A. H. Belo publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (Dallas, Texas), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes; The Providence Journal (www.providencejournal.com) (Providence, Rhode Island), the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes; and the Denton Record-Chronicle (www.dentonrc.com), a daily newspaper operating in Denton, Texas, approximately 40 miles north of Dallas. The Company publishes various niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its investments include Classified Ventures, LLC (“Classified Ventures”), owner of cars.com, and Wanderful Media, LLC (“Wanderful”), owner of FindnSave.com. A. H. Belo offers digital marketing solutions through 508 Digital and Your Speakeasy, LLC (“Speakeasy”), and also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses.
Basis of Presentation.    These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of A. H. Belo and its subsidiaries and were prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation were included. Transactions between the consolidated companies were eliminated and noncontrolling interests in less than wholly-owned subsidiaries were reflected in the consolidated financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014, may not be necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except per share amounts, unless the context requires otherwise.
In 2013, the Company completed the disposition of The Press‑Enterprise, a daily newspaper in Riverside, California, which serves the Inland Southern California region. As described in Note 2 – Discontinued Operations, this disposition meets the criteria of discontinued operations as prescribed under Accounting Standards Codification 205 - Presentation of Financial Statements. Accordingly, presentation of current and prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto reflect continuing operations of the Company unless otherwise noted.
The Company has currently engaged Stephens Inc. to explore a potential sale of The Providence Journal as the Company focuses resources and management time and attention on its core Dallas market.
New Accounting Standards. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which generally requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset when a net operating loss or other tax credit carryforward exists. The assessment should be performed by taxing jurisdiction as of each reporting date. The update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The implementation of this update did not have a material impact to the presentation of uncertain tax positions within the consolidated balance sheets.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) - Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under this amendment, requirements for reporting discontinued operations have changed. Discontinued operations may include disposals of a business, nonprofit activity and component of an entity upon meeting certain other criteria. Disposals representing components of an entity must reflect a strategic shift that has a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. Previous conditions prohibiting the entity from having significant continuing involvement in the disposal group and requiring the elimination of operations and cash flows from ongoing operations of the entity have been removed. The update is effective on a prospective basis for disposals that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods in those years. The Company is currently exploring the sale of The Providence Journal and anticipates such a transaction would meet the criteria for presentation of discontinued operations under current accounting standards and under the modified standards if the transaction were completed after the effective date of this update.

PAGE 6
A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

Note 2: Discontinued Operations
In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company completed the disposition of the newspaper operations of The Press-Enterprise, including the production facility and related land, to Freedom Communications, Inc. (“Freedom Communications”) under a definitive asset purchase agreement. Upon completion of the divestiture, the Company no longer owns newspaper operations in Riverside, California but continues to own and market for sale the land and buildings associated with a former commercial printing operation in Riverside, California. The disposition and the results of operations associated with The Press-Enterprise are reported as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, loss from discontinued operations includes revenues and expenses of $12,532 and $14,731, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company reduced the gain on the sale of The Press-Enterprise by $178, which primarily reflects the finalization of the working capital adjustment. As of March 31, 2014, the remaining assets and liabilities of discontinued operations were $778 and $628, respectively, representing remaining receivables and liabilities that will be settled in the second quarter of 2014.
Note 3: Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company recorded intangible assets consisting of goodwill and subscriber lists from its previous newspaper acquisitions. The carrying value of goodwill was $24,582, net of cumulative impairment losses of $323,734, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Subscriber lists related to The Providence Journal are amortized over 18 years and will be fully amortized in 2014.
In the first quarter of 2013, the Company finalized the accounting for its December 2012 acquisition of certain assets and liabilities from DG Publishing, Inc., which produced and published Design Guide Texas and Texas Wedding Guide magazines and related websites. Customer relationships purchased in the acquisition were assigned a value of $362 and are amortized over an estimated useful life of three years. The customer relationships are a component of The Dallas Morning News reporting unit. Remaining assets and liabilities acquired were not material.
The table below sets forth the Company’s identifiable intangible assets, consisting of subscriber lists and customer relationship assets.
 
Total
Intangible Assets
 
The
Dallas Morning News
 
The
Providence
Journal
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Gross balance
$
79,060

 
$
362

 
$
78,698

Accumulated amortization
(74,841
)
 
(151
)
 
(74,690
)
Net balance
$
4,219

 
$
211

 
$
4,008

 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Gross balance
$
79,060

 
$
362

 
$
78,698

Accumulated amortization
(73,718
)
 
(121
)
 
(73,597
)
Net balance
$
5,342

 
$
241

 
$
5,101

Note 4: Investments
The Company owns investment interests in various entities which are recorded under the equity method or cost method of accounting, or consolidated if the Company holds a controlling financial interest. Under the equity method, the Company records its share of the investee’s earnings or losses each period in the consolidated statements of operations. Under the cost method, the Company records earnings or losses when such amounts are realized. The carrying value of equity method and cost method investments is set forth in the table below.
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Equity method investments
$
5,992

 
$
6,401

Cost method investments
932

 
932

Total investments
$
6,924

 
$
7,333


A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
PAGE 7

Table of Contents

Equity method investments. Investments recorded under the equity method of accounting include the following:
Classified Ventures, LLC The Company owns a 3.3 percent interest in Classified Ventures, in which the other owners are Gannett Co., Inc., The McClatchy Company, Tribune Company and Graham Holdings Company. Classified Ventures operates cars.com and in April 2014, sold its apartments.com business unit for $585,000. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company received distribution proceeds of $18,861 related to the sale transaction and recorded a gain of approximately $18,500. The Company expects related federal income taxes to be minimal as a result of previously incurred net operating losses and is finalizing its estimate of state taxes.
Wanderful Media, LLC The Company owns a 12.7 percent interest in Wanderful, which operates FindnSave.com, a digital shopping platform where consumers can find national and local retail goods and services for sale. This platform combines local media participation with advanced search and database technology to allow consumers to view local advertised offers and online sales circulars or search for an item and receive a list of local advertisers and the price and terms offered for the searched item.
Gains (losses) on equity method investments were $(408) and $549 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Losses in 2014 included a $934 impairment charge related to the Company's investment in Wanderful Media, reducing the carrying value of the investment to $1,665. The Company determined that an other-than-temporary decline occurred in the value of the investment after evaluating the estimated fair value of the investee as determined by an independent valuation specialist. The Company attributes the impairment primarily to a decline in business related to Wanderful Media’s legacy products. The Company believes the carrying value of this investment as of March 31, 2014, is recoverable based on the investment’s future business prospects, and an additional contribution of $1,909 was made in April 2014.
Summarized financial information provided for equity method investments determined to be significant to the Company’s operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, is set forth in the table below.
 
Classified Ventures
 
Wanderful Media
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenue
$
112,702

 
$
97,327

 
$
1,141

 
$
1,333

Operating Income (Loss)
19,054

 
12,445

 
(2,423
)
 
(2,294
)
Net Income (Loss)
25,562

 
24,064

 
(2,507
)
 
(2,314
)

Consolidated investments. The Company owns a 70 percent interest in Your Speakeasy, LLC which targets middle-market business customers and provides turnkey social media account management and content development services. As the Company has a controlling financial interest in this entity, Speakeasy's assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

PAGE 8
A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

Note 5: Long-term Incentive Plans
A. H. Belo sponsors a long-term incentive plan under which 8,000,000 common shares are authorized for equity based awards. Awards under the plan may be granted to A. H. Belo employees and outside directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares, performance units or stock appreciation rights. In addition, stock options may be accompanied by full and limited stock appreciation rights. Rights and limited stock appreciation rights may also be issued without accompanying stock options.
Stock Options.    The table below sets forth a summary of stock option activity under the A. H. Belo long-term incentive plan.
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
910,533

 
$
15.29

Exercised
(135,412
)
 
4.33

Canceled
(11,048
)
 
30.61

Outstanding at March 31, 2014
764,073

 
$
17.01

 
 
 
 
Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014
764,073

 
$
17.01

The vested and exercisable weighted average remaining contractual term of A. H. Belo stock options outstanding, as of March 31, 2014, was 2.3 years. The expense associated with all outstanding options was fully recognized in prior years and no new options were granted for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Restricted Stock Units. Under A. H. Belo’s long-term incentive plan, the Company’s board of directors periodically awards RSUs. The RSUs have service and/or performance conditions and vest over a period up to three years. Upon vesting, the RSUs are redeemed 60 percent in A. H. Belo Series A common stock and 40 percent in cash. As of March 31, 2014, the liability for the portion of the award to be redeemed in cash was $2,174. The table below sets forth a summary of RSU activity under the A. H. Belo long-term incentive plan.
 
Total
RSUs
 
Issuance of
Common
Stock
 
RSUs
Redeemed in
Cash
 
Cash
Payments at
Closing Price
of Stock
 
Weighted-
Average Price
on Date of
Grant
Non-vested at December 31, 2013
728,818

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5.59

Granted
86,365

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.07

Vested
(262,781
)
 
157,659

 
105,122

 
$
1,064

 
6.04

Non-vested at March 31, 2014
552,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
6.39

A. H. Belo recognizes compensation expense for RSUs issued to its employees and directors under its long-term incentive plan on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award, as set forth in the table below.
 
RSUs Redeemable in Stock
 
RSUs Redeemable in Cash
 
Total RSU Awards Expense
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2014
$
546

 
$
1,280

 
$
1,826

2013
748

 
758

 
1,506

Note 6: Long-term Debt
In January 2013, the Company voluntarily terminated its credit agreement as cash flows from operations were sufficient to meet liquidity requirements and the credit agreement had not been drawn upon since 2009. All liens and security interests under the credit agreement were released and no early termination penalties were incurred by the Company as a result of the termination. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $401 were recorded to interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2013, as a result of the termination.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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Note 7: Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method. The provision for taxes reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for any discrete transactions which are reported in the period in which they occur. The estimated effective tax rate is re-evaluated each quarter based on the Company’s estimated tax expense for the year.
The Company recognized income tax expense from continuing operations of $907 and $436 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Tax expense represents effective income tax rates from continuing operations of (30.7) percent and (8.0) percent, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Tax expense for 2014 and 2013 was primarily attributable to state income tax expense and changes in the valuation allowance on deferred taxes.
The Company currently projects taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2014, for federal income tax purposes and in certain state income tax jurisdictions. The Company has net operating losses that can be carried forward to offset future taxable income. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2016 if not utilized.
Note 8: Pension and Other Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plans. The Company sponsors two defined benefit pension plans, A. H. Belo Pension Plans I and II (collectively the “A. H. Belo Pension Plans”). A. H. Belo Pension Plan I provides benefits to certain employees primarily employed with The Dallas Morning News or the A. H. Belo corporate offices. A. H. Belo Pension Plan II provides benefits to certain employees at The Providence Journal.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company made required contributions of $1,940 and $396, respectively, to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans. The Company expects to make required contributions for the remainder of 2014 of approximately $8,060. Management believes the assumed rate of return on the plans' assets of 6.5 percent continues to be appropriate.
Net Periodic Pension Benefit
The Company estimates net periodic pension expense or benefit based on the expected return on plan assets, the interest on projected pension obligations and the amortization of actuarial gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss, if required. The table below sets forth components of net periodic pension benefit.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Interest cost
$
4,330

 
$
3,999

Expected return on plans’ assets
(5,215
)
 
(4,891
)
Amortization of actuarial loss

 
425

Net periodic pension benefit
$
(885
)
 
$
(467
)
Defined Contribution Plans. The A. H. Belo Savings Plan (“Savings Plan”), a defined contribution 401(k) plan, covers substantially all employees of A. H. Belo. The Company provides an ongoing dollar-for-dollar match of eligible employee contributions, up to 1.5 percent of the employees’ compensation on a per-pay-period basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded expense of $341 and $348, respectively, for matching contributions to this plan.
The Company sponsored the A. H. Belo Pension Transition Supplement Plan (“PTS Plan”), a defined contribution plan, which covered certain employees affected by the curtailment of a defined benefit plan sponsored by the former parent company.  The Company was obligated to make contributions to this plan based on the earnings of actively employed participants for a period of five years, which concluded on March 31, 2013. Contributions of $4,147 paid in the first quarter of 2013 represent benefits accrued in fiscal year 2012, and contributions of $1,090 paid in the second quarter of 2013 represent benefits accrued through March 31, 2013. No further obligations exist under this Plan. As a result of fulfilling its obligations to the PTS Plan and in order to achieve efficient administration of the Company's defined contribution plans, the PTS Plan was merged into the A. H. Belo Savings Plan on July 1, 2013. Accordingly, individual participant account balances within the PTS Plan were transferred to their respective accounts in the A. H. Belo Savings Plan and the PTS Plan has ceased to exist as a standalone benefit plan of the Company.

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Note 9: Shareholders’ Equity
Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss contains actuarial gains and losses associated with the A. H. Belo Pension Plans and gains and losses resulting from negative plan amendments and other actuarial experience related to other post-employment benefit plans. The Company records amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss in employee compensation and benefits in its consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses associated with the A. H. Belo Pension Plans are amortized over the weighted average remaining life expectancy of the participants. Gains and losses associated with the Company’s other post-employment benefit plans are amortized over the average remaining service period of active plan participants. The net deferred tax assets associated with accumulated other comprehensive loss are fully reserved.
In 2014, the Company did not amortize actuarial losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with the Company’s pension plans as the balance of these losses as of December 31, 2013, no longer fell outside the corridor requiring amortization. The tables below set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Total
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Other post-employment benefit plans
 
Total
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Other post-employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period
$
(15,093
)
 
$
(16,059
)
 
$
966

 
$
(73,532
)
 
$
(74,932
)
 
$
1,400

Amortization
(173
)
 

 
(173
)
 
245

 
425

 
(180
)
Balance, end of period
$
(15,266
)
 
$
(16,059
)
 
$
793

 
$
(73,287
)
 
$
(74,507
)
 
$
1,220

Dividends. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded and paid dividends of $1,805 and $1,367, respectively.
On March 6, 2014, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share to shareholders of record and holders of RSUs as of the close of business on May 16, 2014, payable on June 6, 2014.
Treasury Stock. The Company’s board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program for the purchase of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Series A or Series B common stock through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Purchases of treasury stock included 75,228 and 112,049 shares of the Company's Series A common stock in 2014 and 2013 for $675 and $597, respectively. All purchases were made through open market transactions and were recorded as treasury stock.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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Note 10: Earnings Per Share
The table below sets forth the reconciliations for net loss and weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company’s Series A and B common stock equally share in the distributed and undistributed earnings.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Earnings (numerator)
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
(4,037
)
 
$
(8,022
)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net
(178
)
 
(2,182
)
Less: Income to participating securities
58

 
49

Net loss available to common shareholders from continuing operations
$
(3,917
)
 
$
(5,889
)
 
 
 
 
Shares (denominator)
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, Basic and Diluted
21,918,800

 
22,032,803

 
 
 
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.27
)
The Company considers outstanding stock options and RSUs in the calculation of its earnings per share. A total of 1,316,475 and 1,921,935 options and RSUs outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the calculation because they did not affect the earnings per share for common shareholders or the effect was anti-dilutive.
Note 11: Contingencies
A number of legal proceedings are pending against A. H. Belo. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from these legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on A. H. Belo’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes filed as part of this report. All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except per share amounts, unless the context requires otherwise.
OVERVIEW
A. H. Belo (NYSE trading symbol: AHC), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates three metropolitan daily newspapers and related websites, with publishing roots that trace to The Galveston Daily News, which began publication in 1842. A. H. Belo publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) (Dallas, Texas), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes; The Providence Journal (www.providencejournal.com) (Providence, Rhode Island), the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes; and the Denton Record-Chronicle (www.dentonrc.com), a daily newspaper operating in Denton, Texas, approximately 40 miles north of Dallas. The Company publishes various niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its investments include Classified Ventures, LLC, owner of cars.com, and Wanderful Media, LLC, owner of FindnSave.com. A. H. Belo offers digital marketing solutions through 508 Digital and Speakeasy, and also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses.
A. H. Belo intends for the discussion of its financial condition and results of operations that follows to provide information that will assist in understanding its financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles, policies and estimates affect its financial statements. Presentation of current and prior period amounts in Management’s Discussion and Analysis reflect continuing operations of the Company unless otherwise noted.
Overview of First Quarter 2014 Significant Transactions
The first quarter of 2014 represents the first full quarter of operations after the sale of The Press-Enterprise, which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company reduced the gain on the sale transaction by $178, which primarily reflects the finalization of the working capital adjustment. The Company anticipates remaining assets and liabilities related to the transaction of $778 and $628, respectively, will be settled in the second quarter of 2014.
The Company continues its efforts to diversify revenues through leveraging its brand, its personnel and its infrastructure in both organic new product development and in pursuit of acquisitions of related marketing services companies. In March 2014, The Dallas Morning News began printing the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a major metropolitan newspaper, at its Plano, Texas production facility. Reported average print circulation volumes for the Star-Telegram per the September 2013 Publisher’s Statement were approximately 190,000 copies on Sundays and 110,000 daily copies on Mondays through Fridays. The agreement between The Dallas Morning News, Inc. and Star-Telegram, Inc. is for an initial term of 10 years and has a renewal option to extend the contract.
Losses in 2014 include a $934 impairment charge related to the Company's investment in Wanderful Media, reducing the carrying value of the investment to $1,665. The Company determined that an other-than-temporary decline in the value of the investment occurred after evaluating the estimated fair value of the investee as determined by an independent valuation specialist. The Company attributes the impairment primarily to a decline in business related to Wanderful Media’s legacy products.
In April 2014, Classified Ventures, an equity method investee, sold its apartments.com business unit for $585,000. The Company received distribution proceeds of $18,861 related to this sale transaction and recorded a gain of approximately $18,500 in the second quarter of 2014. The Company expects related federal income taxes to be minimal as a result of previously incurred net operating losses and is finalizing its estimate of state taxes.


A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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In addition to the above, the following significant transactions and events affected A. H. Belo’s results of operations and financial position during the first quarter of 2014.
Required contributions of $1,940 were made to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting an increase from the $396 of contributions made in the first quarter of 2013.
A dividend of $0.08 per share, or $1,805, was recorded and paid to shareholders of record and holders of RSUs. The Company also announced in March 2014 a dividend of $0.08 per share payable on June 6, 2014, to shareholders of record and holders of RSUs as of the close of business on May 16, 2014.
The Company purchased 75,228 of its Series A common shares during the quarter through open market transactions for $675.
The Company has currently engaged Stephens Inc. to explore a potential sale of The Providence Journal as the Company focuses resources and management time and attention on its core Dallas market.

PAGE 14
A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations
This section contains a discussion and analysis of net operating revenue, expense and other information relevant to an understanding of results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
The table below sets forth the components of A. H. Belo’s net revenue from operations.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
Percentage
Change
 
2013
Advertising and marketing services
$
46,860

 
(4.8
)%
 
$
49,214

Circulation
29,347

 
1.4
 %
 
28,944

Printing and distribution
9,379

 
9.3
 %
 
8,582

 
$
85,586

 
(1.3
)%
 
$
86,740

First quarter results for 2014 compared to 2013 reflect a decrease in total revenue from continuing operations of 1.3 percent due to a decline in advertising and marketing services, partially offset by an increase in circulation and printing and distribution. Advertising and marketing services revenue decreased by 4.8 percent in 2014 primarily due to lower display and preprint advertising revenue. These declines were partially offset by growth in marketing services which commenced operations in 2012 and due to continued growth in the newspaper’s digital classified advertising.
The Company’s first quarter circulation revenue for 2014 compared to 2013 increased by 1.4 percent due to higher home delivery rates as the Company’s newspapers continue to recover the costs of providing quality news coverage through strategic price increases.
Printing and distribution revenue increased by 9.3 percent for the first quarter of 2014 primarily from delivery of third-party publications resulting from an agreement at The Providence Journal to assume distribution of certain publications that commenced in the third quarter of 2013 and printing of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The table below sets forth the components of The Dallas Morning News net operating revenue.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
Percent
of Total
Revenue
 
Percentage
Change
 
2013
 
Percent
of Total
Revenue
Advertising and marketing services
$
37,726

 
58.6
%
 
(4.9
)%
 
$
39,663

 
60.0
%
Display
11,398

 
 
 
(18.6
)%
 
14,009

 
 
Classified
6,069

 
 
 
(0.7
)%
 
6,110

 
 
Preprint
12,536

 
 
 
(4.7
)%
 
13,157

 
 
Digital
7,723

 
 
 
20.9
 %
 
6,387

 
 
Circulation
21,012

 
32.6
%
 
0.2
 %
 
20,980

 
31.7
%
Printing and distribution
5,654

 
8.8
%
 
3.5
 %
 
5,463

 
8.3
%
 
$
64,392

 
100.0
%
 
(2.6
)%
 
$
66,106

 
100.0
%
Display – Revenue decreased in 2014 due to lower retail and general advertising volumes and rates in substantially all categories, partially offset by $333 of advertising revenue leading up to the NCAA Final Four tournament held in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in April 2014.
Classified – Revenue remained flat in 2014 due to lower volumes, offset by higher rates in all categories except real estate.
Preprint – Revenue decreased in 2014 due to a decline in the volume of preprint newspaper inserts, consistent with the decline in circulation volumes. The decline was partially offset by higher volumes in home delivery mail advertisements.
Digital – Revenue increased in 2014 due to higher marketing services revenue associated with 508 Digital and Speakeasy, and also due to higher automotive and real estate classified advertising. Marketing services revenue grew by $866 in 2014 which reflects a 49.6 percent growth over these recorded revenues in the same period in 2013.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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The Dallas Morning News results also include its niche publications which expand its advertising platform to nonsubscribers of The Dallas Morning News’ core newspaper. This revenue is a component of total display, classified, preprint and digital revenue of The Dallas Morning News discussed above. In 2014 and 2013, advertising revenue for The Dallas Morning News’ niche publications was $5,526 and $5,809, respectively. Revenue decreased primarily due to a decline in preprint advertising.
Circulation – Circulation revenue in 2014 remained flat compared to 2013 primarily due to rate increases offsetting volume declines. Home delivery revenue increased in 2014 due to an effective rate increase of 9.4 percent and growth in digital subscriptions offsetting a 9.6 percent decrease in volumes. Single copy revenue decreased in 2014 due to an 8.5 percent volume decline and an effective 1.7 percent rate decline.
Printing and distribution – Revenue increased in 2014 due to the commencement of printing services in March 2014 for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which provided $553 in additional revenue, and due to expanded printing of local community newspapers. The contract to print the Star-Telegram is expected to add approximately $7,000 in printing and inserting revenues to The Dallas Morning News annually. These increases were partially offset by lower printing revenues associated with national publications.

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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The table below sets forth the components of The Providence Journal net operating revenue.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
Percent
of Total
Revenue
 
Percentage
Change
 
2013
 
Percent
of Total
Revenue
Advertising and marketing services
$
9,134

 
43.1
%
 
(4.4
)%
 
$
9,551

 
46.3
%
Display
2,300

 
 
 
(0.8
)%
 
2,318

 
 
Classified
3,147

 
 
 
(5.4
)%
 
3,328

 
 
Preprint
2,417

 
 
 
(8.7
)%
 
2,646

 
 
Digital
1,270

 
 
 
0.9
 %
 
1,259

 
 
Circulation
8,335

 
39.3
%
 
4.7
 %
 
7,964

 
38.6
%
Printing and distribution
3,725

 
17.6
%
 
19.4
 %
 
3,119

 
15.1
%
 
$
21,194

 
100.0
%
 
2.7
 %
 
$
20,634

 
100.0
%
Display – Revenue remained flat year-over-year as declines in retail advertising were offset by increased general advertising.
Classified – Revenue decreased in 2014 due to a rate or volume declines in all categories except automotive.
Preprint – Revenue decreased in 2014 due to a decline in the volume of preprint newspaper inserts, consistent with the decline in circulation volumes.
Digital – Revenue remained flat year-over-year.
Circulation – Home delivery revenue increased in 2014 due to an effective rate increase of 19.1 percent, offset by a volume decline of 10.5 percent. Single copy paid print circulation decreased due to a volume decline of 8.3 percent, partially offset by an effective rate increase of 1.6 percent.
Printing and distribution – Revenue increased in 2014 due to the assumption of distribution contracts for certain national and regional newspapers and magazines. These contracts, obtained through a settlement agreement with a third-party distributor, commenced in July 2013.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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Operating Costs and Expense from Continuing Operations
The table below sets forth the components of the Company’s operating expense.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
Percentage
Change
 
2013
Operating Costs and Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
$
36,837

 
(6.4
)%
 
$
39,342

Other production, distribution and operating costs
34,525

 
(1.1
)%
 
34,905

Newsprint, ink and other supplies
11,706

 
(2.8
)%
 
12,049

Depreciation
4,062

 
(15.6
)%
 
4,813

Amortization
1,123

 
 %
 
1,123

Total operating costs and expense
$
88,253

 
(4.3
)%
 
$
92,232

Employee compensation and benefits – Employee compensation and benefits decreased in 2014 by $2,505, due to lower salary expense of $1,047, primarily due to savings from headcount reductions at the Company’s newspapers and corporate operations. The Company also had lower pension expense of $1,090, due the Company fulfilling its obligation to accrue benefits for the PTS Plan at the end of the first quarter of 2013. Pension expense was also lower by $425 in 2014 due to the balance of actuarial losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss falling below the corridor required for amortization.
Other production, distribution and operating costs – Expense decreased in 2014 due to lower distribution costs associated with home delivery and single copy sales and due to lower promotion and marketing expense. These expense reductions were offset by higher third-party costs as the Company’s marketing services operations continue to grow and by increased temporary labor costs associated with the commencement of printing operations for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the Company’s Plano, Texas production facility.
Newsprint, ink and other supplies – Expense decreased in 2014 due to reduced newsprint costs associated with lower circulation volumes of the Company’s newspapers. Newsprint consumption for the first quarter 2014 and 2013, was approximately 10,691 and 11,850 metric tons, respectively, and the average cost per metric ton of newsprint was $602 and $622, respectively. This cost reduction was offset by higher supplement costs associated with higher preprint mail volumes at The Dallas Morning News and from increased supplement costs for growth in third party publications distributed by The Providence Journal.
Depreciation – Expense decreased in 2014 due to a lower depreciable asset base as capital expenditures continue to decline.
Amortization – Expense was flat year-over-year.

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Other
The table below sets forth the other components of the Company’s results of continuing operations.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
Percentage
Change
 
2013
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
 
 
 
Gains (losses) on equity method investments, net
$
(408
)
 
(174.3
)%
 
$
549

Interest expense
(1
)
 
(99.8
)%
 
(411
)
Other income (loss), net
118

 
(213.5
)%
 
(104
)
Total other income (expense), net
$
(291
)
 
 
 
$
34

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Provision
$
907

 
108.0
 %
 
$
436

Gains (losses) on equity method investments, net – Gains (losses) on equity method investments decreased by $957 in 2014 due to a $934 impairment charge related to the Company's investment in Wanderful Media, reducing the carrying value of this investment to $1,665. The Company determined that an other-than-temporary decline in the value of the investment occurred based on the Company’s respective share of the estimated fair value of the investee. The Company attributes the impairment primarily to a decline in business related to Wanderful Media’s legacy products. The Company believes the carrying value of this investment as of March 31, 2014, is recoverable based on the investment’s future business prospects, and an additional contribution of $1,909 was made in April 2014.
Interest expense – In the first quarter of 2013, the Company amortized $401 of remaining debt issuance costs associated with the voluntary termination of the Company’s credit agreement.
Tax provision – Tax provision for 2014 and 2013 is primarily due to franchise and state income tax expense and changes in the valuation allowance. See the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 – Income Taxes.
Earnings and Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization from Continuing Operations
In addition to net income (loss) from continuing operations, the Company also evaluates earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) which is presented for continuing operations by adjusting for discontinued operations and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated, as applicable, by adding back to EBITDA non-cash impairment expense and net investment-related losses.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net Loss Attributable to A. H. Belo Corporation
$
(4,037
)
 
$
(8,022
)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net
(178
)
 
(2,182
)
Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6
)
 
(54
)
Loss from continuing operations
(3,865
)
 
(5,894
)
Depreciation and amortization
5,185

 
5,936

Interest expense
1

 
411

Income tax provision
907

 
436

EBITDA from Continuing Operations
2,228

 
889

Addback:
 
 
 
Net investment-related losses
934

 

Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations
$
3,162

 
$
889


A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures in internal analyses as supplemental measures of the Company’s financial performance, and for performance comparisons against its peer group of companies. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by management to evaluate the cash flows available for capital spending, investing, pension contributions (required and voluntary), dividends and other equity-related transactions. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flows provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP, and these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.
In previous periods, the Company added back pension expense in the determination of Adjusted EBITDA. Management reassessed this measurement and no longer excludes pension expense from Adjusted EBITDA. See the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Pension and Other Retirement Plans for additional discussion of pension expense.


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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash balance as of March 31, 2014, was $82,540. The Company’s working capital as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, was $83,564 and $86,345, respectively. After excluding assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, working capital increased by $3,326.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, cash flows provided by operations were $4,158. These funds were used to fund capital spending of $1,207, discretionary dividend payments of $1,805 and treasury stock purchases of $675. The Company’s EBITDA was $2,228, and after adjusting for investment-related losses, Adjusted EBITDA was $3,162. For the remainder of 2014, the Company anticipates additional pension contributions of $8,060 and additional capital expenditures of $6,500 to $8,500. The Company anticipates sufficient cash flows to cover these expenditures.
As discussed in Note 4 – Investments, Classified Ventures, an equity method investee, completed the sale of its apartments.com business in April 2014.  The Company received a cash distribution of $18,861 for its portion of the net sales proceeds. The Company expects federal income taxes to be minimal as a result of previously incurred net operating losses and is finalizing its estimate of state taxes. In the third and fourth quarters of 2013, the Company completed the sale of The Press-Enterprise, as discussed in Note 2 - Discontinued Operations. The Company does not anticipate the sale of this business to have a negative impact on its liquidity and remaining receivables and liabilities of discontinued operations are expected to be collected and paid in the second quarter of 2014.
The Company intends to deploy its cash in the long-term interests of the Company, its shareholders and employees as it seeks potential acquisition or investment opportunities complimenting its advertising and marketing services products. Management works aggressively to manage expenses in correlation to changes in revenue and believes cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to meet foreseeable cash flow requirements for operations, capital spending and pension contributions. The following discusses the changes in cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities.
Operating Cash Flows
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities for 2014 and 2013, was $4,158 and $817, respectively. Cash flows from continuing operations increased in 2014 primarily due to the Company no longer making contributions to the PTS Plan after the second quarter of 2013, at which time obligations to this plan were fully satisfied. PTS Plan contributions in the first quarter of 2013 were $5,217. Cash flows used for discontinued operations primarily reflects the payment of selling expenses related to the sale of The Press-Enterprise in 2014 and the timing of cash collections and payments following the prior year’s holiday shopping season in 2013.
Investing Cash Flows
Net cash used for continuing investing activities for 2014 and 2013, was $1,207 and $1,194, respectively, which primarily reflects the Company’s capital spending for these quarterly periods.
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used for continuing financing activities for 2014 and 2013, was $1,882 and $1,964, respectively. In 2014 and 2013, dividend payments were $1,805 and $1,367, respectively, reflecting an increase in quarterly dividends of $0.02 per share. Purchases of treasury stock included 75,228 and 112,049 shares of the Company’s Series A common stock in 2014 and 2013 for $675 and $597, respectively.
Financing Arrangements
In January 2013, the Company voluntarily terminated its credit agreement as cash flows from operations were sufficient to meet liquidity requirements and the credit agreement had not been drawn upon since 2009. All liens and security interests under the credit agreement were released and no early termination penalties were incurred by the Company as a result of the termination. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $401 were recorded to interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2013, as a result of the termination.
Contractual Obligations
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company made required contributions of $1,940 to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans. The Company will fund the A. H. Belo Pension Plans to meet or exceed statutory requirements and anticipates contributions for the remainder of 2014 to approximate $8,060.

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On March 6, 2014, the Company announced an $0.08 per share dividend to shareholders of record and holders of RSUs as of the close of business on May 16, 2014, payable on June 6, 2014.
Additional information related to the Company’s contractual obligations is available in Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on March 7, 2014, with the SEC.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
No material changes were made to the Company’s critical accounting policies as set forth in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this communication concerning A. H. Belo’s business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, dividends, capital expenditures, investments, dispositions, impairments, business initiatives, acquisitions, pension plan contributions and obligations, real estate sales, working capital, future financings and other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.
Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to the following: changes in capital market conditions and prospects, changes in advertising demand and newsprint prices; newspaper circulation trends and other circulation matters, including changes in readership methods, patterns and demography; audits and related actions by the Alliance for Audited Media; challenges implementing increased subscription pricing and new pricing structures; challenges in achieving expense reduction goals in a timely manner and the resulting potential effect on operations; challenges in consummating asset acquisitions or dispositions upon acceptable terms; technological changes; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by new and existing competitors and suppliers; consumer acceptance of new products and business initiatives; labor relations; regulatory, tax and legal changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions, dispositions and co-owned ventures and investments; pension plan matters; general economic conditions and changes in interest rates; significant armed conflict; acts of terrorism; and other factors beyond the Company’s control, as well as other risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and in the Company’s other public disclosures and filings with the SEC.


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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There were no material changes in A. H. Belo Corporation’s exposure to market risk from the disclosure included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) required by Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b), the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
A number of legal proceedings are pending against A. H. Belo. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from these legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on A. H. Belo’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
There were no unregistered sales of the Company’s equity securities during the period covered by this report.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company repurchases shares of its common stock from time to time pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased 75,228 Series A shares at a cost of $675. All purchases were made through open market transactions and were recorded as treasury stock.
The following table contains information for shares repurchased during the first quarter of 2014. None of the shares in this table were repurchased directly from any of our officers or directors.
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
(a) 
January 2014
34,521

 
$
7.85

 
529,721

 
970,279

 
February 2014
22,854

 
7.98

 
552,575

 
947,425

 
March 2014
17,853

 
12.46

 
570,428

 
929,572

 
(a)
Share repurchases are made pursuant to a share repurchase program authorized by the Company’s board of directors. A total of 1,500,000 shares have been authorized for repurchase.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are incorporated by reference to documents previously filed by the Company with the SEC, as indicated. In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information marked with a double asterisk (**) in Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is deemed filed. All other documents are filed with this report. Exhibits marked with a tilde (~) are management contracts, compensatory plan contracts or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
*
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Form 10 dated January 18, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741) (the “Third Amendment to Form 10”))
3.2
*
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated January 11, 2008 (Exhibit 3.2 to Post‑Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 filed January 31, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741))
3.3
*
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective January 11, 2008 (Exhibit 3.3 to the Third Amendment to Form 10)
 
 
(1)
*
Amendment No. 1, effective June 17, 2013, to Amended and Restated Bylaws of A. H. Belo Corporation (Exhibit 3.1 to A. H. Belo Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2013, (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001-33741) (the “June 19, 2013 Form 8-K”))
4.1
*
Certain rights of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock set forth in Exhibits 3.1‑3.3 above
4.2
*
Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company’s Series A Common Stock (Exhibit 4.2 to the Third Amendment to Form 10)
4.3
*
Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company’s Series B Common Stock (Exhibit 4.3 to the Third Amendment to Form 10)
4.4
*
Rights Agreement dated as of January 11, 2008, between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Exhibit 4.4 to the Third Amendment to Form 10)
10.1
*
Material Contracts
 
 
~(1)
*
Asset Purchase Agreement by and between the Press-Enterprise Company, AHC California Properties LLC, A. H. Belo Management Services, Inc. and Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. dated October 9, 2013 (Exhibit 10.1 to A. H. Belo Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 2013 (Securities and Exchange Commission file no. 001-33741) (the “October 11, 2013 Form 8-K”))
 
 
~(2)
*
Form of Limited Guaranty by and between A. H. Belo Corporation and Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc (Exhibit 10.2 to the October 11, 2013 Form 8-K)
 
 
~(3)
*
Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 31, 2013, between the Press-Enterprise Company, AHC California Properties LLC, A. H. Belo Management Services, Inc. and Freedom Communications Holdings Inc. (Exhibit 10.1 to A. H. Belo Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2013 (Securities and Exchange Commission file no. 001-33741))
 
 
~(4)
*
Amendment No. 2 to Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 21, 2013, between the Press-Enterprise Company, AHC California Properties LLC, A. H. Belo Management Services, Inc. and Freedom Communications Holdings Inc. (Exhibit 10.1 to A. H. Belo Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 25, 2013 (Securities and Exchange Commission file no. 001-33741))

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Exhibit Number
Description
10.2
*
Compensatory plans and arrangements:
 
 
~(1)
*
A. H. Belo Corporation Savings Plan (Exhibit 10.4 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(a)
First Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan dated September 23, 2008 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741))
 
 
 
*
(b)
Second Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan effective March 27, 2009 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2009 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741) (the “April 2, 2009 Form 8‑K”))
 
 
 
*
(c)
Third Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan effective March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.2 to the April 2, 2009 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(d)
Fourth Amendment to the A. H. Belo Savings Plan dated September 10, 2009 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2009 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741))
 
 
~(2)
*
 
A. H. Belo Corporation 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10.5 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(a)
First Amendment to A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan effective July 23, 2008 (Exhibit 10.2(2)(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2008 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741))
 
 
 
*
(b)
Form of A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan Non‑Employee Director Evidence of Grant (for Non‑Employee Director Awards) (Exhibit 10.2(2)(b) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2010 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741) (the “1st Quarter 2010 Form 10‑Q”))
 
 
 
*
(c)
Form of A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan Evidence of Grant (for Employee Awards) (Exhibit 10.2(2)(c) to the 1st Quarter 2010 Form 10‑Q)
 
 
 
*
(d)
Form of A. H. Belo 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan Evidence of Grant (Exhibit 10.1 to A. H. Belo Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2012 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741) (the “March 12, 2012 Form 8-K”))
 
 
 
*
(e)
Form of A. H. Belo Cash Long‑Term Incentive Evidence of Grant (Exhibit 10.2 to the March 12, 2012 Form 8-K)
 
 
~(3)
*
 
A. H. Belo Pension Transition Supplement Restoration Plan effective January 1, 2008 (Exhibit 10.6 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(a)
First Amendment to the A. H. Belo Pension Transition Supplement Restoration Plan dated March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.4 to the April 2, 2009 Form 8‑K)
 
 
~(4)
*
 
A. H. Belo Corporation Change In Control Severance Plan (Exhibit 10.7 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(a)
Amendment to the A. H. Belo Change in Control Severance Plan dated March 31, 2009 (Exhibit 10.3 to the April 2, 2009 Form 8‑K)
 
 
~(5)
*
 
Robert W. Decherd Compensation Arrangements dated June 19, 2013 (Exhibit 10.1 to the June 19, 2013 Form 8-K)


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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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Exhibit Number
Description
10.3
 
Agreements relating to the spin-off of A. H. Belo from its former parent company:
 
 
(1)
*
 
Tax Matters Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 10.1 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
 
*
(a)
First Amendment to Tax Matters Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated September 14, 2009 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2009 (Securities and Exchange Commission file No. 00‑00371))
 
 
(2)
*
 
Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of February 8, 2008 (Exhibit 2.1 to the February 12, 2008 Form 8‑K)
 
 
(3)
*
 
Pension Plan Transfer Agreement by and between Belo Corp. and A. H. Belo Corporation dated as of October 6, 2010 (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2010 (Securities and Exchange Commission file No. 001-33741))
 
 
(4)
*
 
Agreement among the Company, Belo Corp., and The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, effective March 9, 2011 (Exhibit 10.3(6) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2011 (Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 001‑33741))
31.1
 
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
32
 
 
 
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
 
**
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
 
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
A. H. BELO CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Alison K. Engel
 
 
 
Alison K. Engel
 
 
 
Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
Date:
April 29, 2014
 
By:
/s/ Michael N. Lavey
 
 
 
Michael N. Lavey
 
 
 
Vice President/Controller
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
Date:
April 29, 2014

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A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q

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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
 
Description
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
32
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
**
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information marked with a double asterisk (**) in Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is deemed filed.

A. H. Belo Corporation First Quarter 2014 on Form 10-Q
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