News Releases
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) today reported fiscal 2007 net earnings per share of $3.31, a 16 percent increase over the prior year. Total revenues increased 3 percent to $1.6 billion, including 6 percent growth in advertising revenues. For the fourth quarter, net earnings per share increased 8 percent to $1.05 and total revenues grew 2 percent to $428 million.
"In fiscal 2007, we delivered another year of solid performance and strong returns to Meredith shareholders," said Stephen M. Lacy, Meredith's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Publishing Group posted strong advertising growth in the second half of the fiscal year, led by key brands such as Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle and More. Our Broadcasting Group produced record political advertising and grew non-political revenues as well. Online revenues and audience metrics grew at a rapid rate across all lines of business. And we positioned ourselves for future growth through key strategic investments, particularly in the online and broadband areas."
Highlights during Fiscal 2007:
-- Meredith Publishing Group advertising revenues increased 6 percent in
the second half of fiscal 2007 over the prior year period, a trend that
is continuing into fiscal 2008. Titles such as More and Family Circle,
along with Meredith's Special Interest Publications, had a very strong
year. Advertising revenues at Better Homes and Gardens surged more than
10 percent in the second half of fiscal 2007, buoyed by a magazine
redesign and new creative and sales leadership.
-- Meredith Broadcasting Group delivered a record $33 million in net
political advertising revenues. Also, local non-political advertising
revenues increased 4 percent. Meredith Video Solutions launched the
Company's first broadband video network, and increased production of
broadcast-quality video for use by Meredith's television stations and
Web sites, as well as custom video for clients.
-- Internet page views climbed nearly 15 percent, driving revenue growth
of approximately 50 percent. Meredith relaunched its flagship Web site
-- http://www.bhg.com/ -- and introduced a parenting superportal --
http://www.parents.com/. Additionally, the Company redesigned all
television station Web sites.
-- Meredith strengthened its consumer and custom marketing interactive
capabilities through the acquisition of three online businesses: Genex,
an interactive marketing services firm that specializes in online
customer relationship marketing; New Media Strategies, an interactive
word-of-mouth marketing company; and Healia, a consumer health search
engine specializing in finding high quality and personalized health
information online.
-- Meredith generated approximately $170 million of earnings from
continuing operations and nearly $175 million in free cash flow,
increased its dividend rate by 16 percent, repurchased more than
1 million shares of its common stock and reduced debt by $90 million in
fiscal 2007.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Publishing
For fiscal 2007, Publishing operating profit grew to $220 million from $213 million in the prior year. Total Publishing revenues rose to $1.3 billion and advertising revenues increased to $639 million, up from $1.2 billion and $619 million, respectively.
In the fourth quarter, Publishing operating profit grew 9 percent to $73 million. Revenues rose to $345 million, including a 5 percent growth in advertising revenues.
During the quarter, Publishing benefited from operating profit growth at its magazine and integrated marketing businesses, partially offset by continued weakness at Meredith Books. As part of a comprehensive performance improvement initiative, Meredith Books is refocusing on its content areas of strength such as cooking, gardening, remodeling and decorating on behalf of its own and clients' brands. Less emphasis will be placed on children's books and non-core authored titles.
"We are very encouraged by advertising revenue growth to date in calendar 2007, with Better Homes and Gardens, More and Family Circle magazines leading the way," said Lacy. "Meanwhile, we continue to increase audience metrics and advertising revenues at our Web properties. This further demonstrates our ability to deliver content and advertising messages across multiple media platforms."
Publishing Web sites had strong traffic and revenue growth for the fiscal year, driving an operating profit increase of over 50 percent. In April, Meredith launched a new version of its flagship Better Homes and Gardens Web site (BHG.com). The site, which attracts approximately 5 million unique visitors monthly, features a host of new, highly interactive experiences including the media company's first ever broadband network -- Better.tv.
Broadcasting
For fiscal 2007, Broadcasting operating profit grew 20 percent to $107 million on an 11 percent increase in revenues. Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 16 percent to $131 million and EBITDA margin grew to 37.7 percent from 35.8 percent.
In the fourth quarter, Broadcasting operating profit was $28 million, revenues $84 million, EBITDA $34 million and EBITDA margin 40.5 percent. All represented modest declines from the prior year quarter due primarily to nearly $3 million less in political advertising revenues.
In the May 2007 rating book, Broadcasting continued to strengthen its news position with the key adults ages 25-54 demographic. In particular, ratings and share at Meredith's stations grew significantly for the morning newscasts, a segment that is experiencing greater growth in viewers and advertising revenues. Seven stations -- Atlanta, Phoenix, Portland, Hartford, Greenville, Las Vegas and Nashville -- posted gains for morning newscasts, with Las Vegas up nearly 70 percent in the morning.
"Our strategy of increasing local news hours in our markets continues to pay dividends," Lacy said. "This strong news presence was instrumental to our achieving record political advertising in fiscal 2007 and a 4 percent increase in local non-political revenues. Meredith Broadcasting has now outpaced the industry average for advertising revenue growth for six consecutive years."
In addition, Broadcasting Web revenues more than doubled in fiscal 2007. Average monthly page views and unique visitors grew approximately 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Total debt on June 30, 2007, was $475 million, and the weighted average interest rate was 5 percent. Capital expenditures were $43 million in fiscal 2007, including $20 million to build a new broadcasting facility in Hartford.
During the quarter, Meredith recorded a restructuring charge of $0.04 per share, attributable to refocusing its Book operations, as described earlier. The Company also recorded a net benefit of $0.04 per share, related to discontinued operations, including the gain on the sale of Meredith's television station in Bend, OR, partially offset by a charge related to vacating certain leased space previously occupied by Child magazine. The operations of Child and the stations in Bend and Chattanooga, TN, have been reclassified as "discontinued." Meredith is in the process of selling the Chattanooga station.
See Table 1 for core earnings results, which exclude discontinued operations, a one-time tax benefit and Book restructuring charges described above.
All earnings per share figures in the text of this release are diluted. Both basic and diluted earnings per share can be found in the attached consolidated statements of earnings.
OUTLOOK
As stated previously, Meredith expects fiscal 2008 earnings per share to range from $3.50 to $3.55.
In fiscal 2008, Meredith will be cycling against $33 million of net political advertising revenues recorded in fiscal 2007, and absorbing an annualized postal rate increase of more than $13 million. As a result, fiscal 2008 earnings growth is expected to occur primarily in the back half of the year.
Publishing advertising revenues for the fiscal first quarter are currently up in the mid-to-high single-digits, led by strong performance at our parenthood and women's service field titles. Broadcast pacings, which are a snapshot in time and change frequently, are currently down in the low to mid single-digits, due primarily to the absence of nearly $9 million in net political advertising revenues recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
As a result, Meredith expects fiscal first quarter earnings per share to approximate $0.66 compared to the $0.62 earned in the year-ago quarter.
A number of uncertainties remain that may affect our outlook as stated in this press release for results in the first quarter and full fiscal year. These include overall advertising volatility, the performance of the Company's retail businesses, paper prices and postal rates. These and other uncertainties are referenced below under "Safe Harbor" and in certain of the Company's SEC filings.
CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST
Meredith will host a conference call on July 25, 2007, at 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. CDT) to discuss fiscal fourth quarter and 2007 results. A live Webcast will be accessible to the public on the Company's Web site, http://www.meredith.com/, and a replay will be available for one week after the call. A transcript of the conference call will be available within 48 hours following the conference call on http://www.meredith.com/, and for at least 12 months thereafter.
RATIONALE FOR USE AND ACCESS TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
Management uses and presents GAAP and non-GAAP results to evaluate and communicate the performance of the Company. Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as alternatives to GAAP measures. EBITDA and free cash flow are common supplemental measures of performance used by investors and financial analysts. Management believes that EBITDA and free cash flow provide additional analytical tools to clarify the Company's results from core operations and delineate underlying trends. Meredith does not use EBITDA or free cash flow as a measure of liquidity or funds available for management's discretionary use because they include certain contractual and non- discretionary expenditures.
Core earnings and core earnings per share are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain one-time items that are not expected to recur and are not reflective of the Company's core business activities. While core earnings and core earnings per share are not a substitute for reported earnings results under GAAP, Management believes this information is useful as an aid in better understanding the Company's current performance, performance trends and financial condition.
Reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP measures are included in the attached tables. The attached consolidated financial statements and reconciliation tables will be made available on the Company's Web site, http://www.meredith.com/investors/index.html. Please click on "Non-GAAP/GAAP Reconciliation" in the navigation bar on the left side of the page.
SAFE HARBOR
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's current knowledge and estimates of factors affecting the Company's operations. Statements in this announcement that are forward-looking include, but are not limited to, the statements regarding broadcasting pacings and publishing advertising revenues, along with the Company's earnings per share outlook for the first quarter and all of fiscal 2008.
Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could adversely affect future results include, but are not limited to, downturns in national and/or local economies; a softening of the domestic advertising market; world, national or local events that could disrupt broadcast television; increased consolidation among major advertisers or other events depressing the level of advertising spending; the unexpected loss or insolvency of one or more major clients; the integration of acquired businesses; changes in consumer reading, purchasing and/or television viewing patterns; increases in paper, postage, printing or syndicated programming costs; changes in television network affiliation agreements; technological developments affecting products or methods of distribution; changes in government regulations affecting the Company's industries; unexpected changes in interest rates; and the consequences of acquisitions and/or dispositions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION
Meredith (http://www.meredith.com/) is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group features 25 subscription magazines -- including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, Family Circle, Parents, American Baby, Fitness and More -- and publishes approximately 180 special interest publications under approximately 80 titles. Meredith has more than 400 books in print. Meredith owns 13 television stations, including properties in top-25 markets Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland, OR. Additionally, Meredith has an extensive online presence that includes more than 30 Web sites and two broadband channels -- Better.tv and Parents.tv.
Meredith Integrated Marketing has established marketing relationships with some of America's leading companies. Meredith's consumer database, which contains approximately 85 million names, is one of the largest domestic databases among media companies and enables magazine and television advertisers to conduct precise targeted-marketing campaigns. Meredith publishes five Spanish-language titles, making Meredith the leading publisher serving Hispanic women in the United States.
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
Three Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 Change
(In thousands except per share data)
Revenues
Advertising $259,260 $253,905 2.1 %
Circulation 81,707 89,518 (8.7)%
All other 87,503 76,065 15.0 %
Total revenues 428,470 419,488 2.1 %
Operating expenses
Production, distribution, and editorial 169,407 168,581 0.5 %
Selling, general, and administrative 156,734 152,574 2.7 %
Depreciation and amortization 11,681 11,293 3.4 %
Restructuring charges, Book Group 3,415 - -
Total operating expenses 341,237 332,448 2.6 %
Income from operations 87,233 87,040 0.2 %
Interest income 414 208 99.0 %
Interest expense (5,849) (6,853) (14.7)%
Earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes 81,798 80,395 1.7 %
Income taxes 32,148 31,354 2.5 %
Earnings from continuing operations 49,650 49,041 1.2 %
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of taxes 1,864 (480) NM
Net earnings $51,514 $48,561 6.1 %
Basic earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations $1.03 $1.00 3.0 %
Discontinued operations 0.04 (0.01) NM
Basic earnings per share $1.07 $0.99 8.1 %
Basic average shares outstanding 48,120 49,146 (2.1)%
Diluted earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations $1.01 $0.98 3.1 %
Discontinued operations 0.04 (0.01) NM
Diluted earnings per share $1.05 $0.97 8.2 %
Diluted average shares outstanding 49,259 50,202 (1.9)%
Dividends paid per share $0.185 $0.160 15.6 %
Twelve Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 Change
(In thousands except per share data)
Revenues
Advertising $981,953 $925,936 6.0 %
Circulation 335,706 360,121 (6.8)%
All other 298,326 275,408 8.3 %
Total revenues 1,615,985 1,561,465 3.5 %
Operating expenses
Production, distribution, and editorial 662,197 656,142 0.9 %
Selling, general, and administrative 617,094 593,015 4.1 %
Depreciation and amortization 45,030 45,127 (0.2)%
Restructuring charges, Book Group 3,415 - -
Total operating expenses 1,327,736 1,294,284 2.6 %
Income from operations 288,249 267,181 7.9 %
Interest income 1,586 987 60.7 %
Interest expense (27,182) (30,214) (10.0)%
Earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes 262,653 237,954 10.4 %
Income taxes 93,823 92,802 1.1 %
Earnings from continuing operations 168,830 145,152 16.3 %
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of taxes (6,484) (360) NM
Net earnings $162,346 $144,792 12.1 %
Basic earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations $3.51 $2.95 19.0 %
Discontinued operations (0.13) (0.01) NM
Basic earnings per share $3.38 $2.94 15.0 %
Basic average shares outstanding 48,048 49,307 (2.6)%
Diluted earnings per share
Earnings from continuing operations $3.44 $2.87 19.8 %
Discontinued operations (0.13) (0.01) NM
Diluted earnings per share $3.31 $2.86 15.6 %
Diluted average shares outstanding 49,108 50,610 (3.0)%
Dividends paid per share $0.690 $0.600 15.0 %
NM - Not meaningful
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Segment Information (Unaudited)
Three Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 Change
(In thousands)
Revenues
Publishing $344,718 $334,093 3.2 %
Broadcasting
Non-political advertising 81,230 80,840 0.5 %
Political advertising 292 3,029 NM
Other revenues 2,230 1,526 46.1 %
Total broadcasting 83,752 85,395 (1.9)%
Total revenues $428,470 $419,488 2.1 %
Operating profits
Publishing $73,139 $67,250 8.8 %
Broadcasting 27,762 29,258 (5.1)%
Unallocated corporate (10,253) (9,468) (8.3)%
Restructuring charges, Book Group (3,415) - -
Income from operations $87,233 $87,040 0.2 %
Depreciation and amortization
Publishing $4,845 $5,114 (5.3)%
Broadcasting 6,153 5,868 4.9 %
Unallocated corporate 683 311 119.6 %
Total depreciation and amortization $11,681 $11,293 3.4 %
EBITDA(1)
Publishing $77,984 $72,364 7.8 %
Broadcasting 33,915 35,126 (3.4)%
Unallocated corporate (9,570) (9,157) 4.5 %
Total EBITDA(1) $102,329 $98,333 4.1 %
Twelve Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 Change
(In thousands)
Revenues
Publishing $1,268,153 $1,246,774 1.7 %
Broadcasting
Non-political advertising 309,350 303,547 1.9 %
Political advertising 33,216 3,856 NM
Other revenues 5,266 7,288 (27.7)%
Total broadcasting 347,832 314,691 10.5 %
Total revenues $1,615,985 $1,561,465 3.5 %
Operating profits
Publishing $219,771 $212,897 3.2 %
Broadcasting 106,804 88,845 20.2 %
Unallocated corporate (34,911) (34,561) (1.0)%
Restructuring charges, Book Group (3,415) - -
Income from operations $288,249 $267,181 7.9 %
Depreciation and amortization
Publishing $18,714 $19,234 (2.7)%
Broadcasting 24,171 23,697 2.0 %
Unallocated corporate 2,145 2,196 (2.3)%
Total depreciation and amortization $45,030 $45,127 (0.2)%
EBITDA(1)
Publishing $238,485 $232,131 2.7 %
Broadcasting 130,975 112,542 16.4 %
Unallocated corporate (32,766) (32,365) 1.2 %
Total EBITDA(1) $336,694 $312,308 7.8 %
NM - Not meaningful
(1) EBITDA is earnings from continuing operations before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization and excludes Book Group
restructuring charges.
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
June 30, June 30,
(In thousands) 2007 2006
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $39,220 $30,713
Accounts receivable, net 267,419 239,368
Inventories 48,836 52,032
Current portion of subscription
acquisition costs 70,553 79,565
Current portion of broadcast rights 11,307 12,498
Other current assets 15,305 17,344
Total current assets 452,640 431,520
Property, plant, and equipment 445,846 417,831
Less accumulated depreciation (239,820) (223,033)
Net property, plant, and equipment 206,026 194,798
Subscription acquisition costs 66,309 74,538
Broadcast rights 9,309 13,412
Other assets 101,178 81,218
Intangibles assets, net 794,996 806,264
Goodwill 459,493 438,925
Total assets $2,089,951 $2,040,675
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $100,000 $50,000
Current portion of long-term
broadcast rights payable 12,069 14,744
Accounts payable 78,156 79,892
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 105,359 118,972
Current portion of unearned
subscription revenues 191,445 200,338
Total current liabilities 487,029 463,946
Long-term debt 375,000 515,000
Long-term broadcast rights payable 18,584 21,755
Unearned subscription revenues 167,873 169,494
Deferred income taxes 166,597 125,049
Other noncurrent liabilities 41,667 47,327
Total liabilities 1,256,750 1,342,571
Shareholders' equity
Common stock 38,970 38,774
Class B stock 9,262 9,417
Additional paid-in capital 58,945 56,012
Retained earnings 727,628 599,413
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) 2,499 (2,077)
Unearned compensation (4,103) (3,435)
Total shareholders' equity 833,201 698,104
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $2,089,951 $2,040,675
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2007 2006
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating
activities $210,522 $193,989
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of businesses (30,303) (367,854)
Additions to property, plant, and
equipment (42,599) (29,236)
Proceeds from disposition of assets 7,658 2,500
Net cash used in investing activities (65,244) (394,590)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-
term debt 190,000 590,000
Repayments of long-term debt (280,000) (275,000)
Purchases of Company stock (58,710) (145,235)
Proceeds from common stock issued 41,673 52,106
Dividends paid (33,248) (29,578)
Excess tax benefits from share-
based payments 3,514 9,937
Other - (704)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (136,771) 201,526
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 8,507 925
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 30,713 29,788
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period $39,220 $30,713
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Table 1
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
CORE EARNINGS
Core earnings, which is reconciled to net earnings in the following
tables, is defined as net earnings adjusted for certain one time items.
Three Months Twelve Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006
(In thousands)
Core earnings $51,723 $49,041 $161,502 $145,152
Discontinued operations, net of tax 1,864 (480) (6,484) (360)
Restructuring charges, Book Group,
net of tax (1) (2,073) - (2,073) -
Tax settlement (2) - - 9,401 -
Net earnings $51,514 $48,561 $162,346 $144,792
CORE EARNINGS PER SHARE
Core earnings per share, which is reconciled to diluted earnings per share
in the following tables, is defined as diluted earnings per share adjusted
for certain one time items.
Three Months Twelve Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006
Core earnings per share $1.05 $0.98 $3.29 $2.87
Discontinued operations, net of tax 0.04 (0.01) (0.13) (0.01)
Restructuring charges, Book Group,
net of tax (1) (0.04) - (0.04) -
Tax settlement (2) - - 0.19 -
Diluted earnings per share $1.05 $0.97 $3.31 $2.86
(1) The Book Group restructuring charges total $3.4 million ($2.1 million
after tax). The restructuring charges include the write-down of
various assets of $2.7 million and severance and benefit costs of
$0.7 million.
(2) An income tax benefit of $9.4 million was recognized in the third
quarter of fiscal 2007 for the reversal of previously recorded taxes.
This resulted from the resolution of a tax contingency related to a
loss on the sale of stock in Craftways, a business sold in fiscal
2003. Recognition of the benefit was deferred until tax-related
contingencies were resolved.
Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Table 2
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA
Consolidated EBITDA, which is reconciled to earnings from continuing
operations in the following tables, is defined as earnings from continuing
operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and does
not include the Book Group restructuring charges.
Segment EBITDA is a measure of segment earnings before depreciation and
amortization.
Segment EBITDA margin is defined as segment EBITDA divided by segment
revenues.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $344,718 $83,752 $- $428,470
Operating profit excluding
restructuring charges,
Book Group $73,139 $27,762 $(10,253) $90,648
Depreciation and amortization 4,845 6,153 683 11,681
EBITDA $77,984 $33,915 $(9,570) 102,329
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (11,681)
Restructuring charges, Book Group (3,415)
Net interest expense (5,435)
Income taxes (32,148)
Earnings from continuing operations $49,650
Segment EBITDA margin 22.6% 40.5%
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $334,093 $85,395 $- $419,488
Operating profit $67,250 $29,258 $(9,468) $87,040
Depreciation and amortization 5,114 5,868 311 11,293
EBITDA $72,364 $35,126 $(9,157) 98,333
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (11,293)
Net interest expense (6,645)
Income taxes (31,354)
Earnings from continuing operations $49,041
Segment EBITDA margin 21.7% 41.1%
Year Ended June 30, 2007
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $1,268,153 $347,832 $- $1,615,985
Operating profit excluding
restructuring
charges, Book Group $219,771 $106,804 $(34,911) $291,664
Depreciation and amortization 18,714 24,171 2,145 45,030
EBITDA $238,485 $130,975 $(32,766) 336,694
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (45,030)
Restructuring charges, Book
Group (3,415)
Net interest expense (25,596)
Income taxes (93,823)
Earnings from continuing
operations $168,830
Segment EBITDA margin 18.8% 37.7%
Year Ended June 30, 2006
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $1,246,774 $314,691 $- $1,561,465
Operating profit $212,897 $88,845 $(34,561) $267,181
Depreciation and amortization 19,234 23,697 2,196 45,127
EBITDA $232,131 $112,542 $(32,365) 312,308
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (45,127)
Net interest expense (29,227)
Income taxes (92,802)
Earnings from continuing
operations $145,152
Segment EBITDA margin 18.6% 35.8%
FREE CASH FLOW
Free cash flow, which is reconciled to earnings from continuing operations
in the following tables, is defined as earnings from continuing
operations, plus depreciation, amortization, and non-cash Book Group
restructuring charges less capital expenditures.
Three Months Twelve Months
Period Ended June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006
(In thousands)
Free cash flow $50,431 $51,927 $173,946 $161,043
Depreciation and amortization (11,681) (11,293) (45,030) (45,127)
Non-cash restructuring charges,
Book Group (2,685) - (2,685) -
Capital expenditures 13,585 8,407 42,599 29,236
Earnings from continuing operations $49,650 $49,041 $168,830 $145,152
SOURCE: Meredith Corporation
CONTACT: Shareholder-Financial Analysts, Mike Lovell, Director of
Investor Relations, +1-515-284-3622, Mike.Lovell@Meredith.com, or Media, Art
Slusark, VP-Corporate Communications, +1-515-284-3404,
Art.Slusark@Meredith.com, both of Meredith Corporation
Web site: http://www.meredith.com/