Graham Holdings Company Reports Second Quarter Earnings

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) today reported net income attributable to common shares of $57.1 million ($10.65 per share) for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $46.6 million ($8.63 per share) for the second quarter of 2018.

The results for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 were affected by a number of items as described in the following paragraphs. Excluding these items, net income attributable to common shares was $50.2 million ($9.36 per share) for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $64.5 million ($11.94 per share) for the second quarter of 2018. (Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Information schedule at the end of this release for additional details.)

Items included in the Company’s net income for the second quarter of 2019:

• a $7.8 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC (after-tax impact of $6.0 million, or $1.13 per share);
• $6.6 million in expenses related to a non-operating Separation Incentive Program at the education division (after-tax impact of $5.1 million, or $0.95 per share);
• $7.8 million in net gains on marketable equity securities (after-tax impact of $5.8 million, or $1.09 per share); and
• $0.1 million in non-operating foreign currency gains (after-tax impact of $0.1 million, or $0.02 per share).

Items included in the Company’s net income for the second quarter of 2018:

• an $0.8 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC (after-tax impact of $0.6 million, or $0.11 per share);
• $6.2 million in interest expense related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontroling interest ($1.14 per share);
• $11.4 million in debt extinguishment costs (after-tax impact of $8.6 million, or $1.60 per share);
• $2.6 million in net losses on marketable equity securities (after-tax impact of $1.9 million or $0.36 per share); and
• $2.3 million in non-operating foreign currency losses (after-tax impact of $1.7 million, or $0.32 per share).

Revenue for the second quarter of 2019 was $737.6 million, up 10% from $672.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, largely due to the acquisition of two automotive dealerships that closed in January 2019. Revenues grew at television broadcasting, healthcare, and SocialCode, partially offset by declines at the education and manufacturing divisions. The Company reported operating income of $58.0 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $65.6 million for the second quarter of 2018. The operating income decline is driven by lower earnings in the education and manufacturing divisions, partially offset by improvements in television broadcasting, healthcare and other businesses results.

For the first six months of 2019, the Company reported net income attributable to common shares of $138.8 million ($25.91 per share), compared to $89.5 million ($16.40 per share) for the first six months of 2018. The results for the first six months of 2019 and 2018 were affected by a number of items as described in the following paragraphs. Excluding these items, net income attributable to common shares was $88.7 million ($16.55 per share) for the first six months of 2019, compared to $114.0 million ($20.93 per share) for the first six months of 2018. (Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Information schedule at the end of this release for additional details.)

Items included in the Company’s net income for the six months of 2019:

• a $9.6 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC (after-tax impact of $7.4 million, or $1.38 per share);
• $6.6 million in expenses related to a non-operating Separation Incentive Program at the education division (after-tax impact of $5.1 million, or $0.95 per share);
• $31.9 million in net gains on marketable equity securities (after-tax impact of $23.9 million, or $4.46 per share);
• $29.0 million gain from the sale of Gimlet Media (after-tax impact of $21.7 million, or $4.06 per share);
• $0.6 million in non-operating foreign currency gains (after-tax impact of $0.5 million, or $0.09 per share); and
• $1.7 million in income tax benefits related to stock compensation ($0.32 per share).

Items included in the Company’s net income for the six months of 2018:

• a $1.1 million reduction to operating expenses from property, plant and equipment gains in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC (after-tax impact of $0.8 million, or $0.15 per share);
• $6.2 million in interest expense related to the settlement of a mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest ($1.14 per share);
• $11.4 million in debt extinguishment costs (after-tax impact of $8.6 million, or $1.60 per share);
• $16.7 million in net losses on marketable equity securities (after-tax impact of $12.7 million, or $2.30 per share);
• a $4.3 million gain on the Kaplan University Transaction (after-tax impact of $1.8 million, or $0.33 per share);
• $2.1 million in non-operating foreign currency losses (after-tax impact of $1.6 million, or $0.30 per share); and
• $1.8 million in income tax benefits related to stock compensation ($0.33 per share).

Revenue for the first six months of 2019 was $1,429.8 million, up 7% from $1,332.1 million in the first six months of 2018, largely due to the acquisition of two automotive dealerships that closed in January 2019. Revenues grew at television broadcasting, healthcare and SocialCode, partially offset by declines at the education and manufacturing divisions. The Company reported operating income of $98.0 million for the first six months of 2019, compared to $109.8 million for the first six months of 2018. Operating results declined at the education, television broadcasting and manufacturing businesses, partially offset by improvements at healthcare and other businesses.

Division Results

Education

Education division revenue totaled $367.8 million for the second quarter of 2019, down 1% from $370.0 million for the same period of 2018. Kaplan reported operating income of $26.3 million for the second quarter of 2019, down 30% from $37.6 million for the second quarter of 2018.

For the first six months of 2019, education division revenue totaled $740.2 million, down 1% from revenue of $745.5 million for the same period of 2018. Kaplan reported operating income of $51.9 million for the first six months of 2019, a 14% decline from $60.3 million for the first six months of 2018.

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

Kaplan International includes English-language programs, and postsecondary education and professional training businesses largely outside the United States. Kaplan International revenue increased 2% for both the second quarter and first six months of 2019. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 5% and 6% for the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. Operating income increased to $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $24.2 million in the second quarter of 2018. Operating income increased to $49.8 million in the first six months of 2019, compared to $44.6 million in the first six months of 2018. Revenue and operating income increased due to improved results at Pathways and UK Professional, offset by declines in Singapore and English Language training.

Prior to the KU Transaction closing on March 22, 2018, Higher Education included Kaplan’s domestic postsecondary education businesses, made up of fixed-facility colleges and online postsecondary and career programs. Following the KU Transaction closing, the Higher Education division includes the results as a service provider to higher education institutions. In the second quarter and first six months of 2019, Higher Education revenue was down 11% and 14%, respectively, due to the KU Transaction. In the first six months of 2019, the Company recorded a portion of the service fee with Purdue Global based on an assessment of its collectability under the TOSA. This resulted in a decline in Higher Education results for the first six months of 2019, as the Company recorded the full service fee for Purdue Global for the first six months of 2018. Following the transition from KU, Purdue Global launched a planned marketing campaign to fully establish its new brand. This significant marketing spend, which the Company supports, impacts the cash generated by Purdue Global and its current ability to fully pay the KHE service fee under the TOSA. The Company will continue to assess the collectability of the service fee with Purdue Global on a quarterly basis to make a determination as to whether to record all or part of the service fee in the future and whether to make adjustments to service fee amounts recognized in earlier periods.

Kaplan Test Preparation (KTP) includes Kaplan’s standardized test preparation programs. In September 2018, KTP acquired the test preparation and study guide assets of Barron’s Educational Series, a New York-based education publishing company. KTP revenue decreased 4% and 1% for the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. Excluding revenue from the Barron’s acquisition, revenues were down 11% and 8%, respectively, due to declines in demand for classroom-based offerings, offset in part by growth in online-based programs. KTP operating results declined 30% and 42% in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, due primarily to revenue declines for classroom-based offerings. Operating losses for the new economy skills training programs were $2.0 million and $1.8 million for the first six months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2019, the Company approved a Separation Incentive Program (SIP) that will reduce the number of employees at KTP and Higher Education. In connection with the SIP, the Company recorded $6.6 million in non-operating pension expense in the second quarter of 2019.

Kaplan Professional (U.S.) includes the domestic professional and other continuing education businesses. In the second quarter and first six months of 2019, Kaplan Professional (U.S.) revenue was up 13% and 19%, due to the May 2018 acquisition of Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI), an independent publisher of professional licensing exam review materials that provides engineering, surveying, architecture, and interior design licensure exam review products, and the July 2018 acquisition of College for Financial Planning (CFFP), a provider of financial education and training to individuals through programs of study for professionals pursuing a career in Financial Planning. Kaplan Professional (U.S.) operating results declined in the second quarter of 2019, due to lower demand for real estate and accountancy programs and increased spending for sales and marketing. Kaplan Professional (U.S) operating results increased 14% for the first six months of 2019, due mostly to earnings from PPI and CFFP.

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

Television Broadcasting

Revenue at the television broadcasting division increased 2% to $116.6 million in the second quarter of 2019, from $114.1 million in the same period of 2018. The revenue increase is due to $4.8 million in higher retransmission revenues, offset by a $3.4 million decrease in political advertising revenue. In the second quarter of 2019 and 2018, the television broadcasting division recorded $7.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in reductions to operating expenses related to property, plant and equipment gains due to new equipment received at no cost in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC. Operating income for the second quarter of 2019 increased 8% to $44.5 million, from $41.1 million in the same period of 2018, due to increased property, plant and equipment gains, partially offset by higher network fees.

Revenue at the television broadcasting division increased 1% to $224.9 million in the first six months of 2019, from $222.9 million in the same period of 2018. The revenue increase is due primarily to $14.4 million in higher retransmission revenues, offset by an $8.6 million decrease in 2018 incremental winter Olympics-related advertising revenue at the Company’s NBC stations and a $5.1 million decrease in political advertising revenue. In the first six months of 2019 and 2018, the television broadcasting division recorded $9.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in reductions to operating expenses related to non-cash property, plant and equipment gains due to new equipment received at no cost in connection with the spectrum repacking mandate of the FCC. Operating income for the first six months of 2019 decreased 2% to $80.0 million from $81.7 million in the same period of 2018, due to the decline in political advertising revenue, the absence of winter Olympics-related advertising and increased network fees, partially offset by increased property, plant and equipment gains.

Manufacturing

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

Manufacturing revenues declined 9% and 6% in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, due to a decline at Hoover from lower wood prices, partially offset by increases due to the Furnlite acquisition. Manufacturing operating income declined in the second quarter and first six months of 2019 due largely to increased labor and other operating costs at Hoover and Dekko, along with gains on inventory sales at Hoover in 2018.

Healthcare

The Graham Healthcare Group (GHG) provides home health and hospice services in three states. Healthcare revenues increased in the first six months of 2019, largely due to growth in home health and hospice services. The improvement in GHG operating results in 2019 is due to increased revenues and the absence of integration costs and other overall cost reduction in the first six months of 2019.

SocialCode

SocialCode is a provider of marketing solutions on social, mobile and video platforms. In the third quarter of 2018, SocialCode acquired Marketplace Strategy, a Cleveland-based Amazon sales acceleration agency. SocialCode’s revenue increased 11% and 6% in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. SocialCode reported operating losses of $1.0 million and $5.0 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, compared to $1.7 million and $5.5 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively.

Other Businesses

On January 31, 2019, the Company acquired two automotive dealerships, Lexus of Rockville and Honda of Tysons Corner, from Sonic Automotive. The Company also announced it had entered into an agreement with Christopher J. Ourisman, a member of the Ourisman Automotive Group family of dealerships. Mr. Ourisman and his team of industry professionals operate and manage the dealerships. Graham Holdings Company holds a 90% stake. Revenues from other businesses increased due mostly to the automotive dealership acquisition. Operating results from other businesses also improved in the first six months of 2019, due partly to the acquisition.

Other businesses also includes Slate and Foreign Policy, which publish online and print magazines and websites; and three investment stage businesses, Megaphone, Pinna and CyberVista. Megaphone, Slate and CyberVista reported revenue increases in the first six months of 2019. Losses from each of these five businesses in the first six months of 2019 adversely affected operating results.

On July 31, 2019, the Company announced the closing on its acquisition of Clyde’s Restaurant Group (CRG). CRG owns and operates thirteen restaurants and entertainment venues in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including Old Ebbitt Grill and The Hamilton, two of the top twenty highest grossing independent restaurants in the United States. CRG will be managed by its existing management team as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Corporate Office

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

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

At June 30, 2019, the Company held an 11% interest in Intersection Holdings, LLC, a company that provides digital marketing and advertising services and products for cities, transit systems, airports, and other public and private spaces. The Company also holds interests in a number of home health and hospice joint ventures, and several other affiliates. The Company recorded equity in earnings of affiliates of $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $0.9 million for the second quarter of 2018. The Company recorded $3.1 million for the first six months of 2019, compared to $3.5 million for the first six months of 2018.

Net Interest Expense, Debt Extinguishment Costs and Related Balances

In connection with the auto dealership acquisition that closed on January 31, 2019, a subsidiary of the Company borrowed $30 million to finance a portion of the acquisition and entered into an interest rate swap to fix the interest rate on the debt at 4.7% per annum. The subsidiary is required to repay the loan over a 10-year period by making monthly installment payments.

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

The Company incurred net interest expense of $6.8 million and $12.5 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, compared to $15.3 million and $22.0 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively. The Company incurred $6.2 million in interest expense related to the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest at the Graham Healthcare Group settled in the second quarter of 2018. The higher interest expense in 2018 is also due to both the $400 million eight-year and ten-year notes outstanding for the month of June 2018.

At June 30, 2019, the Company had $506.4 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 5.1% and cash, marketable equity securities and other investments of $724.5 million.

Non-operating Pension and Postretirement Benefit Income, net

The Company recorded net non-operating pension and postretirement benefit income of $12.3 million and $32.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, compared to $23.0 million and $44.4 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2019, the Company recorded $6.6 million in expenses related to a non-operating Separation Incentive Program at the education division.

Gain (Loss) on Marketable Equity Securities, net

Overall, the Company recognized $7.8 million and $31.9 million in net gains on marketable equity securities in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, compared to $2.6 million and $16.7 million in net losses on marketable equity securities in the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively.

Other Non-Operating Income

The Company recorded total other non-operating income, net, of $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2018. The 2019 amounts included $0.1 million in foreign currency gains and other items. The 2018 amounts included a $1.4 million contingent consideration gain related to the sale of a business; a $2.5 million gain on sale of land and other items; partially offset by $2.3 million in foreign currency losses.

The Company recorded total other non-operating income, net, of $30.6 million for the first six months of 2019, compared to $11.5 million for the first six months of 2018. The 2019 amounts included a $29.0 million gain on the sale of the Company’s interest in Gimlet Media; $0.6 million in foreign currency gains and other items. The 2018 amounts included a $7.2 million gain on sales of businesses and related contingent consideration; a $2.8 million gain on sale of a cost method investment; a $2.5 million gain on sale of land and other items; offset by $2.1 million in foreign currency losses.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first six months of 2019 and 2018 was 24.2% and 24.9%, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded income tax benefits related to stock compensation of $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the second quarter and first six months of 2019 was based on 5,328,252 and 5,327,369 weighted average shares outstanding, compared to 5,362,277 and 5,417,162 for the second quarter and first six months of 2018. At June 30, 2019, there were 5,314,930 shares outstanding. On November 9, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to acquire up to 500,000 shares of its Class B common stock; the Company has remaining authorization for 273,655 shares as of June 30, 2019.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Wallace R. Cooney

(703) 345-6470

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