Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter 2024 Results


GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the “Company” or “Saga”) today reported that net revenue decreased 1.5% to $28.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 compared to $29.2 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense increased 5.1% for the quarter to $23.5 million compared to the same period last year. For the quarter, operating income was $2.1 million compared to $4.3 million for the same quarter last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased to $6.4 million from $8.0 million for the same period last year. Capital expenditures were $1.5 million for the quarter compared to $1.3 million for the same period last year. We had net income of $2.5 million for the quarter compared to net income of $3.4 million for the second quarter last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.40 in the second quarter of 2024.

On a same station basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net revenue decreased 2.4% to $28.5 million, station operating expense increased 4.0% to $23.3 million, and operating income was $2.1 million compared to $4.3 million for the same quarter last year.

Net revenue decreased 2.0% to $53.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024 compared to $54.5 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense increased 5.5% for the six-month period to $46.5 million compared to the same period last year. For the six-month period, our operating loss was $0.3 million compared to operating income of $5.2 million and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased to $9.2 million from $12.8 million for the same period last year. Capital expenditures for the six-months were flat at $2.6 million compared with the same period last year. Net income was $0.9 million for the six-month period compared to $4.3 million for the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.15 in the first six-months of 2023.

On a same station basis for the six months ended June 30, 2024, net revenue decreased 2.5% to $53.1 million from last year, station operating expense increased 4.9% to $46.3 million, and we had an operating loss of $0.3 million compared to operating income of $5.2 million for the same period last year.

The Company closed on its acquisition of five radio stations and one translator in Lafayette, IN on May 31, 2024. These stations were operated by the Company for one month during the 2nd quarter of 2024.

The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on June 28, 2024. The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend was approximately $1.6 million. To date, Saga has paid over $132 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012. The Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in the future. Consistent with its strategic objective of maintaining a strong balance sheet and with returning value to our shareholders, the Board of Directors will also continue to consider declaring special cash dividends, variable dividends and stock buybacks in the future.

The Company’s balance sheet reflects $24.1 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2024 and $26.2 million as of August 5, 2024. The Company currently has $5.0 million drawn against its $50.0 million revolving credit facility. The funds were drawn on the line as a part of the acquisition of the Lafayette, IN radio stations. The Company expects to spend approximately $5.0 – $5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2024.

Saga’s 2024 Second Quarter conference call will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008. Enter conference code 379213. A recording and transcript of the call will be posted to the Company’s website as soon as it is available after the call.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. on August 8, 2024 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing directions will be discussed during the call.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose “actual”, “same station”, and “proforma” financial information as well as the Company’s reconciliation of non-GAAP measures: GAAP operating income to station operating income, GAAP net income to trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA and actual operating results to same station operating results as well as other financial data. The actual financial information reflects our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The same station financial information reflects only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The proforma financial information assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, pro forma financial information, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position. Saga’s management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables.

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

Saga is a media company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties with a growing focus on opportunities complimentary to our core radio business including digital, e-commerce and non-traditional revenue initiatives. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 28 markets, including 82 FM, 32 AM radio stations and 79 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.

Contact:
Samuel D. Bush
(313) 886-7070

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
For the Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s except per share data)
(Unaudited)

             
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30, 
     2024     2023     2024     2023 
Operating Results            
Net operating revenue $ 28,742     $29,175   $ 53,406  $54,479 
Station operating expense   23,544      22,407     46,525   44,110 
Corporate general and administrative   3,049      2,472     6,178   5,088 
Other operating expense, net   6          977   80 
Operating income (loss)   2,143   4,296     (274)  5,201 
Interest expense   71      43     114   86 
Interest income   (251)     (347)    (554)  (636)
Other income, net   (1,133)         (1,133)  (119)
Income before income tax expense   3,456   4,600     1,299   5,870 
Income tax provision            
Current   815      905     300   1,185 
Deferred   140      345     75   415 
    955   1,250    375   1,600 
Net income $ 2,501  $3,350   $ 924  $4,270 
              
Earnings per share:             
Basic $ 0.40     $0.55   $ 0.15  $0.70 
Diluted $ 0.40     $0.55   $ 0.15  $0.70 
              
Weighted average common shares   6,072      6,032     6,068   6,030 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares   6,072      6,032     6,068   6,030 
             


 June 30, 
 2024    2023
Balance Sheet Data       
Working capital$ 28,920 $40,856
Net fixed assets$ 53,251 $53,372
Net intangible assets and other assets$ 122,321 $120,411
Total assets$ 221,617 $229,588
Long-term debt$ 5,000 $
Stockholders' equity$ 165,827 $180,486
      

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s except per share data)
(Unaudited)

       
  Six Months Ended
  June 30, 
      2024     2023
  (Unaudited)
  (In thousands)
Statement of Cash Flows      
Cash flows from operating activities:         
Net income $924  $4,270 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization  2,456   2,475 
Deferred income tax expense  75   415 
Amortization of deferred costs  18   18 
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards  973   493 
Loss on sale of assets, net  977   80 
Other (gain), net  (1,133)  (119)
Barter (revenue) expense, net  (32)  (1)
Deferred and other compensation  (82)  (242)
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Decrease in receivables and prepaid expenses  (453)  (1,643)
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities  1,324   292 
Total adjustments  4,123   1,768 
Net cash provided by operating activities  5,047   6,038 
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchase of short-term investments  (10,817)  (10,241)
Redemption of short-term investments  12,928   10,237 
Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)  (2,574)  (2,637)
Acquisition of broadcast properties  (5,705)   
Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets  175   616 
Proceeds from other gains and losses  1,143    
Other investing activities  4   117 
Net cash used in investing activities  (4,846)  (1,908)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from long-term debt  5,000    
Cash dividends paid  (19,391)  (16,816)
Net cash used in financing activities  (14,391)  (16,816)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (14,190)  (12,686)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  29,582   36,802 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $15,392  $24,116 
         

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s)
(Unaudited)

                   
                   
  Actual Same Station (1) Pro Forma (2)
  Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
  2024  2023  2024 2023 2024  2023 
Operating Results                  
Net operating revenue $ 28,742     $29,175   $28,480  $29,175 $29,282   $29,976 
Station operating expense   23,544      22,407    23,311   22,407  24,023    23,095 
Corporate general and administrative   3,049      2,472    3,049   2,472  3,049    2,472 
Other operating expense, net   6         6     6     
Operating income   2,143   4,296   $ 2,114 $4,296   2,204   4,409 
Interest expense   71      43           123   122 
Interest income   (251)     (347)          (251)  (347)
Other income, net   (1,133)               (1,133)   
Income before income tax expense   3,456   4,600           3,465   4,634 
Income tax provision                  
Current   815      905           817   905 
Deferred   140      345           149   353 
    955   1,250          966   1,258 
Net income $ 2,501  $3,350         $ 2,499  $3,376 
                    
Earnings per share:                   
Basic $ 0.40     $0.55         $0.40   $0.55 
Diluted $ 0.40     $0.55         $0.40   $0.55 
                    
Weighted average common shares   6,072      6,032           6,072   6,032 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares   6,072      6,032           6,072   6,032 
                   
                   
  Actual Same Station (1) Pro Forma (2)
  Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
  2024  2023  2024 2023 2024  2023 
Depreciation and amortization by segment                  
Radio Stations $ 1,213  $1,198  $ 1,164 $1,198 $ 1,305  $1,336 
Corporate   45   40    45  40   45   40 
  $ 1,258  $1,238  $ 1,209 $1,238 $ 1,350  $1,376 
                   

______________________________

(1) Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.
(2) Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023.

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s)
(Unaudited)

                   
                   
  Actual Same Station (1) Pro Forma (2)
  Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 2024  2023 
Operating Results                  
Net operating revenue $ 53,406     $54,479   $53,144   $54,479 $54,574   $55,987 
Station operating expense   46,525      44,110    46,292    44,110   47,669   45,482 
Corporate general and administrative   6,178      5,088    6,178    5,088   6,178   5,088 
Other operating expense, net   977      80   977    80   977   80 
Operating (loss) income   (274)  5,201   $ (303) $5,201   (250)  5,337 
Interest expense   114      86           245   244 
Interest income   (554)     (636)          (554)  (636)
Other income, net   (1,133)     (119)         (1,133)  (119)
Income before income tax expense   1,299   5,870           1,192   5,848 
Income tax provision                  
Current   300      1,185           276   1,185 
Deferred   75      415           71   410 
    375   1,600          347   1,595 
Net income $ 924  $4,270         $ 845  $4,253 
                    
Earnings per share:                   
Basic $ 0.15     $0.70         $0.13   $0.69 
Diluted $ 0.15     $0.70         $0.13   $0.69 
                    
Weighted average common shares   6,068      6,030           6,068   6,030 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares   6,068      6,030           6,068   6,030 
                   
                   
  Actual Same Station (1) Pro Forma (2)
  Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 2024  2023 
Depreciation and amortization by segment                  
Radio Stations $ 2,365  $2,395  $2,317   $2,395 $ 2,594  $2,670 
Corporate   91   80    91   80   91   80 
  $ 2,456  $2,475  $ 2,408  $2,475 $ 2,685  $2,750 
                   

 

______________________________

(1) Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.
(2) Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2023.

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
For the Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s)
(Unaudited)

                
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30,  
     2024     2023    2024     2023  
Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure)               
Operating income (loss) $ 2,143     $4,296   $ (274) $5,201  
Plus:                
Corporate general and administrative   3,049   2,472     6,178   5,088  
Other operating expense, net   6       977   80  
Station depreciation and amortization   1,213   1,198    2,365   2,395  
Station operating income $ 6,411  $7,966   $ 9,246  $12,764  
                
Other financial data               
Depreciation and amortization:               
Radio Stations $ 1,213  $1,198  $ 2,365  $2,395  
Corporate $ 45  $40  $ 91  $80  
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards $ 520  $248  $ 973 (1)$493 (1)
Other operating expense, net (2) $ 6  $-  $ 977  $80  
Other income, net (2) $(1,133) $-  $ (1,133) $(119) 
Deferred income tax expense (2) $ 140  $345  $ 75  $415  
Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures) $ 1,524  $1,275  $ 2,574 (1)$2,637 (1)
                

 

______________________________

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

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
June 30, 2024
(amounts in 000's)
(Unaudited)

           Less:    Plus:       Trailing
  12 Months
Ended
 6 Months
Ended
 6 Months
Ended
 Add: 12 Months 
Ended
  December 31,  June 30,  June 30,  Pro Forma June 30, 
  2023 2023 2024 Acquisitions (2) 2024
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (a non-GAAP financial measure) (1)                    
Net income $9,500  $4,270  $924  $95 $6,249 
Exclusions:                   
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net  (120)  (80)  (977)    (1,017)
Other income, net  1,510   756   1,719     2,473 
Total exclusions  1,390   676   742     1,456 
Consolidated adjusted net income (1)  8,110   3,594   182   95  4,793 
Plus:               
Interest expense  173   86   114   288  489 
Income tax provision  3,375   1,600   375   7  2,157 
Depreciation & amortization expense  5,055   2,475   2,456   426  5,462 
Non-cash compensation  1,116   493   973     1,596 
Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1) $17,829  $8,248  $4,100  $816 $14,497 
                
Total long-term debt, including current maturities               $5,000 
Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)                14,497 
Leverage ratio                0.34 
                

 

______________________________

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

Saga Communications, Inc.
Selected Supplemental Financial Data
For the Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023
(amounts in 000’s)
(Unaudited)

                   
Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income
                   
    Adjustments      Adjustments   
  Actual For Acquisitions Same Station Actual For Acquisitions Same Station
  Three Months and Dispositions Three Months Three Months and Dispositions Three Months
  Ended Not Included in Ended Ended Not Included in Ended
  June 30,  Entire Comparable  June 30,  June 30,  Entire Comparable  June 30, 
  2024  Period 2024  2023 Period 2023
Net operating revenue $28,742     $(262)  $28,480  $29,175 $- $29,175
Station operating expense  23,544      (233)   23,311   22,407  -  22,407
Corporate general and administrative  3,049      -    3,049   2,472  -  2,472
Other operating expense, net  6      -   6   -  -  -
Operating income $2,143  $(29)  $2,114  $4,296 $ - $4,296
                   
                   
    Adjustments     Adjustments   
  Actual For Acquisitions Same Station Actual For Acquisitions Same Station
  Six Months and Dispositions Six Months Six Months and Dispositions Six Months
  Ended Not Included in Ended Ended Not Included in Ended
  June 30,  Entire Comparable June 30,  June 30,  Entire Comparable  June 30, 
  2024  Period 2024  2023 Period 2023
Net operating revenue $53,406     $(262)  $53,144  $54,479 $- $54,479
Station operating expense  46,525      (233)   46,292   44,110  -  44,110
Corporate general and administrative  6,178      -    6,178   5,088  -  5,088
Other operating expense, net  977      -   977   80  -  80
Operating (loss) income $(274) $(29)  $(303) $5,201 $ - $5,201