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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 2, 2023

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Florida

 

1-11588

 

38-3042953

 (State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

73 Kercheval Avenue

 

 

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

 

48236

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (313) 886-7070

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

SGA

NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 2.02.Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 2, 2023, Saga Communications, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. The press release, dated November 2, 2023, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.

99.1

Press Release dated November 2, 2023.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Press Release dated November 2, 2023.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ugust

 

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: November 2, 2023

By:

/s/ Samuel D. Bush

 

 

 

Samuel D. Bush

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

 

Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 99.1

Graphic

Saga Communications, Inc.

Reports 3rd Quarter 2023 Results

Contact:

Samuel D. Bush

(313) 886-7070

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI – November 2, 2023 – Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the “Company” or “Saga”) today reported that net revenue decreased 2.8% to $29.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to $30.0 million for the same period last year.   Station operating expense increased 2.1% for the quarter to $22.8 million compared to the same period last year.  For the quarter, operating income was $3.5 million compared to $1.1 million for the same quarter last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 14.7% to $7.6 million.  Capital expenditures were $760 thousand for the quarter compared to $1.2 million for the same period last year.  We had net income of $2.7 million for the quarter compared to a net loss of $104 thousand for the third quarter last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.45 in the third quarter of 2023.

Net revenue decreased 1.3% to $83.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 compared to $84.8 million for the same period last year.   Station operating expense increased 3.4% for the nine-month period to $66.9 million compared to the same period last year.  For the nine-month period, operating income was $8.7 million compared to $8.2 million for the same period last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 14.3% to $20.4 million.  Capital expenditures for the nine months were $3.4 million compared to $4.7 million for the same period last year.  Net income was $7.0 million for the nine-month period compared to $4.9 million for the same period last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $1.15 in the first nine months of 2023.      

Our results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2022 were impacted by one-time expenses of $3.8 million related to the passing of our founder.

The Company will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on November 3, 2023 to shareholders of record as of October 11, 2023.  The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend will be approximately $1.5 million.  With this payment Saga will have paid over $111 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 objectives of maintaining a strong balance sheet and with returning value to our shareholders, the Board of Directors of Saga will also continue to consider declaring special cash dividends, variable dividends and stock buybacks in the future.

The Company’s balance sheet reflects $41.7 million in cash and short-term investments as of September 30, 2023 and $41.9 million as of October 30, 2023.  The Company expects to spend approximately $4.5 – $5.0 million for capital expenditures during 2023.

Saga’s 2023 Third Quarter conference call will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008.  Enter conference code 713759.  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 who would like to submit questions to the Company please email those inquiries by 10:00 a.m. on November 2, 2023 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, the 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 the Company’s reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures: GAAP operating income to station operating income, and GAAP net income to trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA as well as other financial data.  Such non-GAAP financial measures include same station financial information, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and leverage ratio. These non-GAAP financial 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 financial 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,” “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 broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties.  Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM radio stations, 33 AM radio stations and 80 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For the Three and Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in 000’s except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

 

September 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$

29,149

    

$

29,980

  

$

83,628

$

84,768

Station operating expense

 

22,760

    

22,295

  

 

66,870

 

64,649

Corporate general and administrative

 

2,852

    

6,667

  

 

7,940

 

11,970

Other operating expense (income), net

45

    

(37)

125

3

Operating income

 

3,492

 

1,055

  

 

8,693

 

8,146

Interest expense

 

44

    

32

  

 

130

 

96

Interest income

 

(391)

    

(134)

  

 

(1,027)

 

(187)

Other income, net

    

(34)

(119)

(36)

Income before income tax expense

 

3,839

 

1,191

  

 

9,709

 

8,273

Income tax provision

Current

835

    

730

  

 

2,020

 

2,390

Deferred

 

275

    

565

  

 

690

 

960

1,110

1,295

2,710

3,350

Net income (loss)

$

2,729

$

(104)

  

$

6,999

$

4,923

  

Earnings (loss) per share:

  

Basic

$

0.45

    

$

(0.01)

  

$

1.15

$

0.82

Diluted

$

0.45

    

$

(0.01)

  

$

1.15

$

0.82

  

Weighted average common shares

 

6,032

    

5,961

  

 

6,031

 

5,977

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares

 

6,032

    

5,961

  

 

6,031

 

5,977

 

September 30, 

    

 

2023

    

2022

Balance Sheet Data

 

  

  

Working capital

$

43,087

$

47,135

Net fixed assets

$

52,855

$

54,205

Net intangible assets and other assets

$

120,268

$

118,031

Total assets

$

234,367

$

251,425

Long-term debt

$

$

Stockholders' equity

$

181,935

$

188,013


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in 000’s except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30, 

 

     

2023

     

2022

    

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands)

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

$

6,999

$

4,923

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

Depreciation and amortization

3,737

3,834

Deferred income tax expense

690

960

Amortization of deferred costs

27

9

Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

743

1,726

Loss on sale of assets, net

125

3

Other (gain) loss, net

(119)

3

Barter (revenue) expense, net

44

(40)

Deferred and other compensation

(239)

1,422

Changes in assets and liabilities:

(Increase) decrease in receivables and prepaid expenses

(51)

(23)

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

1,965

1,545

Total adjustments

6,922

9,439

Net cash provided by operating activities

13,921

14,362

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of short-term investments

(14,441)

(14,000)

Redemption of short-term investments

14,437

4,000

Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)

 

(3,397)

 

(4,731)

Acquisition of broadcast properties

 

-

 

(57)

Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets

621

66

Other investing activities

 

117

 

-

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,663)

 

(14,722)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Cash dividends paid

 

(16,816)

 

(6,167)

Purchase of treasury shares

 

-

 

(7)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(16,816)

 

(6,174)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(5,558)

 

(6,534)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

36,802

 

54,760

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

31,244

$

48,226


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in 000’s)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

 

September 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

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

Operating income

$

3,492

    

$

1,055

  

$

8,693

$

8,146

Plus:

 

 

  

 

 

Corporate general and administrative

 

2,852

 

6,667

  

 

7,940

 

11,970

Other operating expense (income), net

45

(37)

125

3

Station depreciation and amortization

1,204

1,214

3,599

3,622

Station operating income

$

7,593

$

8,899

  

$

20,357

$

23,741

Other financial data

Depreciation and amortization:

Radio Stations

$

1,204

$

1,214

$

3,599

$

3,622

Corporate

$

58

$

87

$

138

$

212

Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

$

250

$

1,049

$

743

(1)

$

1,726

(1)

Other operating expense (income), net (2)

$

45

$

(37)

$

125

$

3

Other income, net (2)

$

-

$

(34)

$

(119)

$

(36)

Deferred income tax expense (2)

$

275

$

565

$

690

$

960

Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)

$

760

$

1,168

$

3,397

(1)

$

4,731

(1)


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


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

September 30, 2023

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

    

    

Less:

    

Plus:

    

Trailing

 

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

 

December 31, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

 

2022

2022

2023

2023

 

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

$

9,202

$

4,923

$

6,999

$

11,278

Exclusions:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net

 

14

 

(3)

 

(125)

 

(108)

Gain on insurance proceeds

 

534

 

16

 

 

518

Other income, net

 

482

 

247

 

1,102

 

1,337

Total exclusions

 

1,030

 

260

 

977

 

1,747

Consolidated adjusted net income (1)

 

8,172

 

4,663

 

6,022

 

9,531

Plus:

Interest expense

 

130

 

96

 

130

 

164

Income tax provision

 

4,800

 

3,350

 

2,710

 

4,160

Depreciation & amortization expense

 

5,171

 

3,834

 

3,737

 

5,074

Non-cash compensation

 

1,858

 

1,726

 

743

 

875

Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

$

20,131

$

13,669

$

13,342

$

19,804


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