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Intercity Rail Rides Again in Virginia

www.planetizen.com

Intercity rail service has begun operations in Virginia, connecting Lynchburg and Washington D.C.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/40968

Google Chrome OS To Launch Within A Week

www.linux.com | Nov 16, 2009

Linux.com - For the community, by the community, Linux.com is the central source for Linux information, software, documentation, how-tos and answers across the server, desktop/netbook, mobile, and embedded areas.

http://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/209034-google-chrome-os-to-launch-within-a-week

Twitter Unearths A Secret: Journalists Have Opinions

www.techcrunch.com | Sep 28, 2009

All Washington Post journalists relinquish some of the personal privileges of private citizens. Post journalists must recognize that any content associated with them ...

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/09/28/twitter-unearths-a-journalistic-secret-they-have-opinions/

 

The Washington Post Company (WPO) Corporate Event Announcement Notice - Zibb.com

The Washington Post Company (WPO)
Expected next earnings release:
Announcement date: 2/25/2010 - Before Market
Earnings Quarter: Q4
Announcement Status: Unconfirmed
Expected next dividend:
Dividend Announcement Date: 9/10/2009
Dividend Record Date: 10/26/2009
Dividend Pay Date: 11/6/2009
Dividend Amount: 2.15

Read more...

Tags: corporate   dividend   earnings   market  

Companies: Washington Post Co. (WPO)

 

The Washington Post Company Reports Third Quarter Earnings - Zibb.com

The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO) today reported net income of $17.1 million ($1.81 per share) for its third quarter ended September 27, 2009, compared to net income of $10.4 million ($1.08 per share) for the third quarter of last year.

Items included in the Company's results for the third quarter of 2009:

-- $6.1 million in accelerated depreciation at The Washington Post (after-tax impact of $3.8 million, or $0.40 per share);

-- A $25.4 million goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge related to Kaplan Ventures (after-tax impact of $18.8 million, or $2.00 per share); and

-- A decline in equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates associated with $29.0 million in impairment charges at two of the Company's affiliates (after-tax impact of $18.8 million, or $2.00 per share).

Items included in the Company's results for the third quarter of 2008:

-- A $59.7 million goodwill impairment charge at the Company's community newspapers and The Herald (after-tax impact of $41.9 million, or $4.48 per share);

-- $12.5 million in accelerated depreciation at The Washington Post (after-tax impact of $7.9 million, or $0.84 per share); and

-- $20.6 million in non-operating unrealized foreign currency losses arising from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar (after-tax impact of $13.0 million, or $1.39 per share).

Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 was $1,148.7 million, up 2% from $1,128.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase is due to revenue growth at the education and cable television divisions. Revenues were down at the Company's newspaper publishing, magazine publishing and television broadcasting divisions.

Operating income increased in the third quarter of 2009 to $61.2 million, from $40.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding the operating items discussed above, the education division reported improved results for the quarter, and the newspaper publishing division reported increased losses. The magazine publishing division reported an operating loss for the third quarter, and operating results were down at the television broadcasting division. Cable television division results declined modestly for the third quarter of 2009.

For the first nine months of 2009, net income totaled $9.0 million ($1.08 per share), compared with $47.0 million ($4.86 per share) for the same period of 2008.

Items included in the Company's results for the first nine months of 2009:

-- $63.4 million in early retirement program expense at The Washington Post and Newsweek (after-tax impact of $39.3 million, or $4.18 per share);

-- $33.0 million in restructuring charges related to Kaplan's Score and Test Prep operations (after-tax impact of $20.5 million, or $2.18 per share);

-- $33.8 million in accelerated depreciation at The Washington Post (after-tax impact of $21.0 million, or $2.23 per share);

-- A $25.4 million goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge related to Kaplan Ventures (after-tax impact of $18.8 million, or $2.00 per share);

-- A decline in equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates associated with $29.0 million in impairment charges at two of the Company's affiliates (after-tax impact of $18.8 million, or $2.00 per share); and

-- $18.4 million in non-operating unrealized foreign currency gains arising from the weakening of the U.S. dollar (after-tax impact of $11.4 million, or $1.21 per share).

Items included in the Company's results for the first nine months of 2008:

-- Charges of $112.0 million related to early retirement program expense at The Washington Post newspaper, the corporate office and Newsweek (after-tax impact of $67.8 million, or $7.13 per share);

-- A $59.7 million goodwill impairment charge at the Company's community newspapers and The Herald (after-tax impact of $41.9 million, or $4.48 per share);

-- $13.7 million in accelerated depreciation at The Washington Post (after-tax impact of $8.6 million, or $0.91 per share);

-- Expenses and charges of $3.9 million in connection with restructuring at certain Test Prep operations (after-tax impact of $2.4 million, or $0.26 per share);

-- A decline in equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates associated with $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company's affiliates (after-tax impact of $4.1 million, or $0.43 per share); and

-- $13.4 million in non-operating unrealized foreign currency losses arising from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar (after-tax impact of $8.4 million, or $0.89 per share).

Revenue for the first nine months of 2009 was $3,331.3 million, up 1% from $3,298.0 in the first nine months of 2008, due to increased revenues at the Company's education and cable television divisions, partially offset by revenue declines at the Company's newspaper publishing, magazine publishing and television broadcasting divisions.

The Company reported operating income of $47.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to operating income of $112.0 million for the first nine months of 2008. Excluding the operating items discussed above, the education division reported improved results for the period, and the newspaper publishing and magazine publishing divisions reported increased losses. Operating results were down at the television broadcasting division, while the cable television division reported improved results for the period.

The Company's operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 included $2.3 million and $5.2 million of net pension credits, respectively, compared to $6.4 million and $19.6 million of net pension credits, respectively, for the same periods of 2008, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

Division Results

Education

Education division revenue totaled $684.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, a 14% increase over revenue of $602.7 million for the same period of 2008. Kaplan reported operating income of $45.9 million for the third quarter of 2009, down 10% from $51.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. Results for the third quarter of 2009 included a goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge of $25.4 million related to two businesses at Kaplan Ventures.

For the first nine months of 2009, education division revenue totaled $1,927.4 million, a 12% increase over revenue of $1,722.5 million for the same period of 2008. Kaplan reported operating income of $115.2 million for the first nine months of 2009, down 21% from $145.3 million for the first nine months of 2008.

Kaplan completed a reorganization of its organizational and internal reporting structure during the third quarter of 2009. As a result, the Company has made changes to the composition of its reporting segments. A summary of Kaplan's operating results reported under this new structure for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008 is as follows:

                                                    Third Quarter                      YTD
(In thousands)                                                                %                                      %
                                                    2009         2008         Change   2009           2008           Change
Revenue
Higher education                                    $ 408,658    $ 302,026    35       $ 1,119,142    $ 837,064      34
Test prep, excluding Score                            109,319      122,109    (10 )      333,848        366,287      (9  )
Score                                                 206          7,518      (97 )      8,557          23,982       (64 )
Kaplan international                                  138,089      141,895    (3  )      382,066        407,402      (6  )
Kaplan ventures                                       30,459       31,815     (4  )      90,897         93,108       (2  )
Kaplan corporate                                      315          371        (15 )      967            1,058        (9  )
Intersegment elimination                              (2,530  )    (2,995  )  -          (8,108    )    (6,442    )  -
                                                    $ 684,516    $ 602,739    14       $ 1,927,369    $ 1,722,459    12
Operating income (loss)
Higher education                                    $ 88,737     $ 45,927     93       $ 199,934      $ 128,949      55
Test prep, excluding Score                            5,028        16,363     (69 )      24,004         45,051       (47 )
Score                                                 (371    )    (2,268  )  -          (36,539   )    (7,834    )  -
Kaplan international                                  8,311        10,825     (23 )      27,304         34,519       (21 )
Kaplan ventures                                       (7,611  )    (2,311  )  -          (12,997   )    (1,367    )  -
Kaplan corporate                                      (15,577 )    (11,477 )  (36 )      (38,984   )    (33,546   )  (16 )
Kaplan stock compensation                             (1,697  )    (2,515  )  33         (5,155    )    (9,798    )  47
Amortization of intangible assets                     (5,617  )    (3,151  )  (78 )      (17,247   )    (10,503   )  (64 )
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets    (25,387 )    -          -          (25,387   )    -            -
Intersegment elimination                              84           (267    )  -          236            (193      )  -
                                                    $ 45,900     $ 51,126     (10 )    $ 115,169      $ 145,278      (21 )

Kaplan Higher Education (KHE) includes Kaplan's domestic post-secondary education businesses, made up of fixed-facility colleges as well as online post-secondary and career programs. Higher education revenue grew 35% for the third quarter of 2009 and 34% for the first nine months of 2009 due mostly to strong enrollment growth. Operating income at KHE improved 93% in the third quarter of 2009, reflecting this strong enrollment growth. Operating income increased 55% for the first nine months of 2009 due to this strong enrollment growth, offset by increased marketing and advertising costs in the first quarter of 2009, including a $21.0 million national media campaign. At September 30, 2009, KHE's enrollments totaled 103,800, a 28% increase compared to total enrollments of 81,400 at September 30, 2008. Enrollment growth was particularly strong at Kaplan University's online offerings, which grew at 37% in the first nine months of 2009.

Test prep includes Kaplan's standardized test preparation and tutoring offerings, as well as the professional domestic training business, K12 and other businesses. Test prep revenue, excluding Score and revenue from acquired businesses, declined 11% in the third quarter and 9% in the first nine months of 2009 due to continued revenue declines in the real estate and financial education businesses, declines at the traditional test prep programs and softness in other programs. Test prep operating income, excluding Score, was also down in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 due to declines at the traditional test prep programs and softness in other programs, offset by improved results at test prep's professional domestic training businesses due to expense reductions.

At the end of March 2009, the Company approved a plan to offer tutoring services, previously provided at Score, in Kaplan test prep centers. The plan was substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2009; 14 existing Score centers were converted into Kaplan test prep centers and the remaining 64 Score centers were closed. Score revenues declined to $8.6 million in the first nine months of 2009, from $24.0 in the first nine months of 2008. Operating losses at Score increased to $36.5 million in the first nine months of 2009, inclusive of $24.9 million in restructuring-related charges, compared to $7.8 million in operating losses for the first nine months of 2008.

In 2007, Kaplan announced restructuring plans at its professional domestic training businesses that involved product changes and decentralization of certain operations, in addition to employee terminations. These businesses are now part of Kaplan's test prep division. In the fourth quarter of 2008, Kaplan expanded this restructuring to include additional operations. Total restructuring-related expenses of $0.9 million and $8.1 million were recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, related to lease termination, accelerated depreciation of fixed assets and severance costs, compared to $0.7 million and $3.9 million in restructuring-related severance costs recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.

Kaplan International includes professional training and post-secondary education businesses outside the United States, as well as English-language programs. Kaplan International revenue declined 3% in the third quarter of 2009 and 6% in the first nine months of 2009. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, Kaplan International revenue was down 9% for the third quarter of 2009 and 11% in the first nine months of 2009. The declines are the result of unfavorable exchange rates in the U.K., Europe and Australia and declines in English-language programs. These declines were offset by revenue growth at International's Asian operations. Likewise, Kaplan International operating income is down largely due to weakness in the English-language programs and the financial education programs in the U.K., offset by improved operating results at International's Asian operations.

Kaplan Ventures is made up of a number of businesses in various stages of development that are managed separately from the other education businesses. Kaplan Ventures includes Kaplan EduNeering, Kaplan Compliance Solutions, Education Connection, Kaplan Virtual Education, Kidum and other smaller businesses. Revenues at Kaplan Ventures declined 4% in the third quarter and 2% in the first nine months of 2009. Kaplan Ventures reported operating losses of $7.6 million and $13.0 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, compared to operating losses of $2.3 million and $1.4 million for the same periods of 2008, due primarily to increased losses at Kaplan Virtual Education, a developing group of online high school institutions. A goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge of $25.4 million was recorded at Kaplan in the third quarter of 2009 related to certain of the Kaplan Venture's businesses, as the book value of these businesses exceeded their estimated fair value.

Corporate represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.'s corporate office and other minor activities.

Cable Television

Cable television division revenue of $189.6 million for the third quarter of 2009 represents a 4% increase from $181.8 million in the third quarter of 2008; for the first nine months of 2009, revenue increased 5% to $559.8 million, from $535.0 million in the same period of 2008. The 2009 revenue increase is due to continued growth in the division's cable modem and telephone revenues, and a $4 monthly rate increase for most basic subscribers in June 2009.

Cable division operating income declined 3% to $40.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, versus $41.6 million in the third quarter of 2008; cable division operating income for the first nine months of 2009 increased 5% to $122.1 million, from $116.0 million for the first nine months of 2008. The decline in operating income in the third quarter of 2009 is due to increased programming, bad debt and general and administrative costs. The increase in operating income for the first nine months of 2009 is the result of the division's revenue growth.

At September 30, 2009, Revenue Generating Units (RGUs) grew 1% due to continued growth in high-speed data and telephony subscribers, partially offset by a reduction in basic and digital subscribers. A summary of RGUs is as follows:

                           September 30,  September 30,
Cable Television Division  2009           2008
Subscribers
Basic                      677,751        701,711
Digital                    221,564        224,231
High-speed data            388,567        368,614
Telephony                  105,211        90,994
Total                      1,393,093      1,385,550

Newspaper Publishing

Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $156.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 20% from $196.2 million in the third quarter of 2008; division revenue decreased 19% to $485.9 million for the first nine months of 2009, from $599.6 million for the first nine months of 2008. Print advertising revenue at The Post in the third quarter of 2009 declined 28% to $70.0 million, from $97.2 million in the third quarter of 2008, and decreased 27% to $224.4 million for the first nine months of 2009, from $308.6 million in the same period of 2008. The print revenue decline in 2009 is due to large decreases in classified, general, zones and retail advertising. Revenue generated by the Company's newspaper online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, declined 18% to $22.6 million for the third quarter of 2009, versus $27.4 million for the third quarter of 2008; newspaper online revenues declined 12% to $68.1 million in the first nine months of 2009, versus $77.3 million for the first nine months of 2008. Display online advertising revenue declined 14% and 4% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively. Online classified advertising revenue on washingtonpost.com declined 27% and 26% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

For the first nine months of 2009, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 3.6% and 3.7%, respectively, compared to the same periods of the prior year. For the nine months ended September 27, 2009, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 600,800 and average Sunday circulation totaled 840,100.

As previously announced, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees of The Washington Post newspaper in the first quarter of 2009. A total of 221 employees accepted the offer, and early retirement program expense of $56.8 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2009, which is being funded primarily from the assets of the Company's pension plans. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees at Robinson Terminal Warehouse Corporation; $1.1 million in early retirement program expense was recorded in the third quarter of 2009, also to be funded from the assets of the Company's pension plans. In the first quarter of 2008, a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program was also offered, with 231 employees accepting the offer; $79.8 million in early retirement program expense was recorded in the second quarter of 2008, also funded primarily from the assets of the Company's pension plans.

The Post closed its College Park, MD, printing plant in July 2009 and has consolidated its printing operations in Springfield, VA. The Post is also in the process of consolidating certain other operations in Washington, DC. In connection with these activities, accelerated depreciation of $6.1 million and $33.8 million was recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively; accelerated depreciation of $12.5 million and $13.7 million was recorded in the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively. The Company will incur additional costs related to the shutdown of the College Park, MD printing plant that will be recorded as incurred. The Company also expects to incur a loss on an office lease in conjunction with the consolidation of operations. A portion of the loss may be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the remainder in 2010, depending on the timing of the consolidation. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2008, the Company completed an impairment review of its community newspapers and The Herald, which resulted in a $59.7 million goodwill impairment loss.

The newspaper division reported an operating loss of $23.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to an operating loss of $82.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, the newspaper division reported an operating loss of $166.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $178.3 million for the first nine months of 2008. Excluding early retirement program charges, accelerated depreciation and goodwill impairment losses, operating results declined in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 due to the significant decline in division advertising revenue and increased bad debt expense, offset by expense reductions. Newsprint expense was down 37% and 19% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, due to a decline in newsprint consumption and prices.

A summary of newspaper division operating results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008 is as follows:

                                               Third Quarter                          Year-to-Date
(In thousands)                                 2009           2008           %        2009            2008            %
                                                                             Change                                   Change
Operating revenues                             $156,281       $196,217       (20 )    $485,937        $599,593        (19 )
Operating expenses, excluding special charges  (172,675 )  *  (206,807 )  *  (17 )    (560,942  )  *  (624,716  )  *  (10 )
                                               (16,394  )  *  (10,590  )  *  (55 )    (75,005   )  *  (25,123   )  *  -
Early retirement program expense               (1,124   )     -              -        (57,924   )     (79,800   )     -
Goodwill impairment charge                     -              (59,690  )     -        -               (59,690   )     -
Accelerated depreciation                       (6,104   )     (12,469  )     -        (33,792   )     (13,682   )     -
Operating loss                                 $(23,622 )     $(82,749 )     71       $(166,721 )     $(178,295 )     6
*Non-GAAP measure

Television Broadcasting

Revenue for the television broadcasting division decreased 17% in the third quarter of 2009 to $64.6 million, from $78.0 million in 2008; for the first nine months of 2009, revenue decreased 19% to $192.4 million, from $238.5 million in 2008. The decrease in revenue is due to weaker advertising demand in all markets and most product categories, particularly automotive; political advertising revenue also declined by $3.9 million and $7.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2008, the television broadcasting division benefited from $6.3 million in incremental summer Olympics-related advertising at the Company's NBC affiliates.

In the third quarter of 2008, the television broadcasting division recorded $4.9 million in non-cash property, plant and equipment gains as a reduction to expense due to new digital equipment received at no cost from Sprint/Nextel in connection with an FCC mandate reallocating a portion of the broadcast spectrum in order to eliminate interference with public safety wireless communication systems.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 declined 50% to $15.1 million, from $30.1 million in 2008; operating income for the first nine months of 2009 declined 52% to $41.5 million, from $86.4 million in 2008. The operating income declines for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 are due to the revenue decreases discussed above and the $4.9 million in non-cash gains in the third quarter of 2008.

Magazine Publishing

Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $40.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, a 33% decrease from $60.0 million in the third quarter of 2008; division revenue totaled $131.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, a 25% decrease from $176.0 million in the first nine months of 2008. The decline is due to a 48% and 38% reduction in advertising revenue at Newsweek for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, resulting from fewer ad pages at both the domestic and international editions. In February 2009, Newsweek announced a circulation rate base reduction at its domestic edition, from 2.6 million to 1.5 million, by January 2010.

As previously announced, Newsweek offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees in November 2008 and 44 employees accepted the offer in the first quarter of 2009; early retirement program expense of $6.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2009, which is being funded primarily from the assets of the Company's pension plans. In the first quarter of 2008, Newsweek also offered a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to certain employees and 117 employees accepted the offer. The early retirement program expense in 2008 totaled $29.2 million, also funded primarily from the assets of the Company's pension plans. Of this amount, $24.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2008 and $4.6 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2008. In the third quarter of 2009, Newsweek continued to implement cost savings initiatives at its operations and $2.7 million in severance costs were recorded. Additional costs savings initiatives are underway that are expected to result in added charges in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The division had an operating loss of $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to operating income of $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2008; the division had an operating loss of $29.7 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to an operating loss of $27.0 million for the first nine months of 2008. Excluding early retirement program expense, the division's operating loss increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 due to the revenue reductions discussed above and a reduced pension credit, offset by a decline in subscription and editorial expenses at the domestic edition of Newsweek.

Other Businesses and Corporate Office

Other businesses and corporate office included the expenses of the Company's corporate office and the operating results of Avenue100 Media Solutions (formerly CourseAdvisor). The 2008 results include $3.0 million in early retirement program expense at the corporate office recorded in the second quarter.

Equity in (Losses) Earnings of Affiliates

The Company's equity in losses of affiliates for the third quarter of 2009 was $27.1 million, compared to losses of $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, the Company's equity in losses of affiliates totaled $28.2 million, compared to losses of $9.5 million for the same period of 2008.

Results for the third quarter of 2009 include $29.0 million in write-downs at two of the Company's affiliate investments. The loss primarily relates to an impairment charge recorded on the Company's interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company, as a result of the challenging economic environment for newsprint producers. Results for the first nine months of 2008 included $6.8 million in impairment charges at two of the Company's affiliates.

The Company holds a 49% interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company and interests in several other affiliates.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to other non-operating expense, net, of $21.1 million for the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter 2008 non-operating expense, net, included $20.6 million in unrealized foreign currency losses.

The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $15.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to other non-operating expense, net, of $14.1 million for the same period of the prior year. The 2009 non-operating income, net, included $18.4 million in unrealized foreign currency gains, offset by $2.9 million in impairment write-downs on cost method investments and other items. The 2008 non-operating expense, net, included $13.4 million in unrealized foreign currency losses.

As noted above, a large part of the Company's non-operating income (expense) is from unrealized foreign currency gains or losses arising from the translation of British pound and Australian dollar-denominated intercompany loans into U.S. dollars. The unrealized foreign currency gains in the first nine months of 2009 were the result of a weakening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound and the Australian dollar in the first nine months of 2009, versus the exchange rates in effect at the end of 2008. The unrealized foreign currency losses in the first nine months of 2008 were the result of a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound and the Australian dollar in the first nine months of 2008, versus the exchange rates in effect at the end of 2007.

Net Interest Expense

The Company incurred net interest expense of $7.0 million and $21.3 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, compared to $5.7 million and $15.0 million for the same periods of 2008. The increases are due to a decline in interest income, as well as higher average interest rates in the first nine months of 2009 versus the same period of the prior year. At September 27, 2009, the Company had $399.1 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 7.2%.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was 37.2% and 36.7%, respectively. The low effective tax rates for both of these periods are due primarily to favorable adjustments recorded in the third quarter of 2009 for a reduction in state income taxes and for prior year permanent federal tax deductions, offset by $8.5 million of nondeductible goodwill in connection with the impairment charge related to Kaplan Ventures recorded in the third quarter of 2009.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 was 19.5% and 36.0%, respectively. The low effective tax rate for both of these periods is due to a reduction in state income taxes and a favorable $4.6 million provision to return adjustment from 2007, offset by $5.9 million of nondeductible goodwill in connection with the impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2008.

Earnings Per Share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was based on 9,401,010 and 9,399,501 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, compared to 9,358,096 and 9,458,193, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company repurchased 3,359 shares of its Class B common stock at a cost of $1.4 million from recipients of vested awards of restricted shares at market price.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report 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. For more information about these forward-looking statements and related risks, please refer to the section titled "Forward-Looking Statements" in Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                                           Third Quarter                             %
                                                                                                     Change
                                                           2009                 2008
Operating revenues                                         $    1,148,711       $    1,128,658       2
Operating expenses                                              (985,230  )          (950,265  )     4
Depreciation                                                    (70,094   )          (73,524   )     (5   )
Amortization of intangible assets                               (6,767    )          (4,912    )     38
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets              (25,387   )          (59,690   )     (57  )
Operating income                                                61,233               40,267          52
Equity in losses of affiliates, net                             (27,192   )          (609      )     --
Interest income                                                 555                  1,173           (53  )
Interest expense                                                (7,533    )          (6,882    )     9
Other income (expense), net                                     103                  (21,083   )     --
Income before income taxes                                      27,166               12,866          --
Provision for income taxes                                      (10,100   )          (2,500    )     --
Net income                                                      17,066               10,366          65
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest       214                  (37       )     --
Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company          17,280               10,329          67
Redeemable preferred stock dividends                            (230      )          (236      )     (3   )
Net income available for common stock                      $    17,050          $    10,093          69
Basic earnings per share                                   $    1.81            $    1.08            68
Diluted earnings per share                                 $    1.81            $    1.08            68
Basic average shares outstanding                                9,340,067            9,334,057
Diluted average shares outstanding                              9,401,010            9,358,096
THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                                           Year-to-Date                                %
                                                                                                       Change
                                                           2009                  2008
Operating revenues                                         $    3,331,299        $    3,298,015        1
Operating expenses                                              (3,005,847 )          (2,915,106 )     3
Depreciation                                                    (231,651   )          (195,463   )     19
Amortization of intangible assets                               (20,606    )          (15,804    )     30
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets              (25,387    )          (59,690    )     (57  )
Operating income                                                47,808                111,952          (57  )
Equity in losses of affiliates, net                             (28,160    )          (9,505     )     --
Interest income                                                 1,838                 4,555            (60  )
Interest expense                                                (23,114    )          (19,514    )     18
Other income (expense), net                                     15,779                (14,052    )     --
Income before income taxes                                      14,151                73,436           (81  )
Provision for income taxes                                      (5,200     )          (26,400    )     (80  )
Net income                                                      8,951                 47,036           (81  )
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest       2,108                 (141       )     --
Net income attributable to The Washington Post Company          11,059                46,895           (76  )
Redeemable preferred stock dividends                            (928       )          (946       )     (2   )
Net income available for common stock                      $    10,131           $    45,949           (78  )
Basic earnings per share                                   $    1.08             $    4.87             (78  )
Diluted earnings per share                                 $    1.08             $    4.86             (78  )
Basic average shares outstanding                                9,339,646             9,432,642
Diluted average shares outstanding                              9,399,501             9,458,193
THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
                                                              Third Quarter                 %        Year-to-Date                  %
                                                                                            Change                                 Change
                                                              2009           2008                    2009           2008
Operating Revenues:
Education                                                     $ 684,516      $ 602,739      14       $ 1,927,369    $ 1,722,459    12
Cable television                                                189,647        181,840      4          559,839        535,011      5
Newspaper publishing                                            156,281        196,217      (20 )      485,937        599,593      (19 )
Television broadcasting                                         64,599         78,003       (17 )      192,415        238,507      (19 )
Magazine publishing                                             40,167         59,969       (33 )      131,776        176,043      (25 )
Other businesses and corporate office                           15,314         11,534       33         39,290         30,134       30
Intersegment elimination                                        (1,813    )    (1,644    )  (10 )      (5,327    )    (3,732    )  (43 )
                                                              $ 1,148,711    $ 1,128,658    2        $ 3,331,299    $ 3,298,015    1
Operating Expenses:
Education                                                     $ 638,616      $ 551,613      16       $ 1,812,200    $ 1,577,181    15
Cable television                                                149,318        140,215      6          437,691        418,996      4
Newspaper publishing                                            179,903        278,966      (36 )      652,658        777,888      (16 )
Television broadcasting                                         49,547         47,895       3          150,952        152,143      (1  )
Magazine publishing                                             44,481         50,925       (13 )      161,462        203,045      (20 )
Other businesses and corporate office                           27,426         20,421       34         73,855         60,542       22
Intersegment elimination                                        (1,813    )    (1,644    )  (10 )      (5,327    )    (3,732    )  (43 )
                                                              $ 1,087,478    $ 1,088,391    0        $ 3,283,491    $ 3,186,063    3
Operating Income (Loss):
Education                                                     $ 45,900       $ 51,126       (10 )    $ 115,169      $ 145,278      (21 )
Cable television                                                40,329         41,625       (3  )      122,148        116,015      5
Newspaper publishing                                            (23,622   )    (82,749   )  71         (166,721  )    (178,295  )  6
Television broadcasting                                         15,052         30,108       (50 )      41,463         86,364       (52 )
Magazine publishing                                             (4,314    )    9,044        --         (29,686   )    (27,002   )  (10 )
Other businesses and corporate office                           (12,112   )    (8,887    )  (36 )      (34,565   )    (30,408   )  (14 )
                                                              $ 61,233       $ 40,267       52       $ 47,808       $ 111,952      (57 )
Depreciation:
Education                                                     $ 19,017       $ 16,390       16       $ 61,099       $ 49,171       24
Cable television                                                30,800         30,524       1          92,998         92,091       1
Newspaper publishing                                            15,352         23,596       (35 )      64,861         45,481       43
Television broadcasting                                         3,528          2,361        49         9,458          6,831        38
Magazine publishing                                             1,197          504          --         2,672          1,553        72
Other businesses and corporate office                           200            149          34         563            336          68
                                                              $ 70,094       $ 73,524       (5  )    $ 231,651      $ 195,463      19
Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill
and other long-lived assets
Education                                                     $ 31,004       $ 3,151        --       $ 42,634       $ 10,503       --
Cable television                                                79             81           (2  )      231            236          (2  )
Newspaper publishing                                            274            59,840       --         736            60,164       (99 )
Television broadcasting                                         --             --           --         --             --           --
Magazine publishing                                             --             --           --         --             --           --
Other businesses and corporate office                           797            1,530        (48 )      2,392          4,591        (48 )
                                                              $ 32,154       $ 64,602       (50 )    $ 45,993       $ 75,494       (39 )
Pension (Expense) Credit:
Education                                                     $ (1,914    )  $ (1,287    )  49       $ (4,152    )  $ (3,095    )  34
Cable television                                                (532      )    (398      )  34         (1,319    )    (1,116    )  18
Newspaper publishing                     (5,168 )    (3,159 )  64       (71,784 )    (84,315 )  (15 )
Television broadcasting                  (63    )    241       --       (357    )    809        --
Magazine publishing                      9,080       10,860    (16 )    18,938       4,140      --
Other businesses and corporate office    (220   )    (16    )  --       (661    )    (1,875  )  65
                                       $ 1,183     $ 6,241     (81 )  $ (59,335 )  $ (85,452 )  31

SOURCE: The Washington Post Company

The Washington Post Company 
Hal S. Jones, 202-334-6645

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Companies: Washington Post Co. (WPO)

 

ResponseLogix(TM) Signs Reseller Agreement with Washington Post - Zibb.com

ResponseLogix, Inc., the leading provider of automotive digital response management software for Internet leads, today announced the opening of the Washington D.C.-metro market through an exclusive reseller agreement with The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO). One of the top 10 markets in the country, the Washington D.C. market is characterized by high quality, large volume dealerships and an Internet savvy clientele of well-educated automobile buyers who demand an immediate and professional response to their Internet queries.

"We are excited to offer ResponseLogix's software solutions to our auto dealer clients in order to help them respond to potential customers in a timely, consistent and relevant way," said Tim Condon, Director, Classified Advertising, The Washington Post. "We believe dealers using ResponseLogix will benefit by quickly delivering customized quotes to their Internet leads, freeing up their sales managers to spend more face time with the buyer."

With the ResponseLogix solution suite, auto dealers are able to deliver to a car buyer a price quote on multiple vehicles, consistent with his or her trim-level request, from the assigned sales representative in less than 10 minutes. ResponseLogix solves the top three challenges facing auto dealer Internet sales departments: increasing the speed and quality of initial response to leads, improving the impact and consistency of ongoing follow up, and managing the online and person-to-person communications.

"The Washington Post has a strong track record of serving its readers and business customers with the highest levels of professionalism and good service," said Tom Mohr, President and CEO of ResponseLogix. "Having a partner with the prestige and marketing savvy of The Washington Post, who already has strong relationships with their local automotive dealers, further validates our value proposition -- that a rapid quote response is the key to driving Internet sales."

About ResponseLogix, Inc.

ResponseLogix delivers software as a service (SaaS) technology to auto dealers that frees them to better respond to Internet leads. SmartQuote(TM) answers Internet leads within 10 minutes, with a price quote on multiple vehicles based on the customer's make, model and trim level request. SmartFollow(TM) helps dealers stay in touch with the customer with dynamically timed, interactive follow-up emails. SmartFacts(TM) delivers powerful analytics to help optimize the performance or Internet sales departments. The ResponseLogix's SmartQuote product recently received recognition by Automotive News Magazine as one of ten featured products in its annual post-National Automobile Dealers Association convention product review, this year entitled "Cool Stuff at NADA". ResponseLogix products are available in 40 US markets for Toyota, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Lexus, Audi, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti and Hyundai dealers across the US. Additional OEM's will be supported soon. Additional information is available at www.responselogix.com.

Keywords: auto dealer Internet lead, auto digital response management, SaaS for auto dealers

SOURCE: ResponseLogix, Inc.

ResponseLogix, Inc. 
Catherine Edwards, 408-406-9257 
cedwards@responselogix.com 
www.responselogix.com

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Tags: advertising   auto dealers   automobile   automotive   business   ceo   communications   internet   local   magazine   market   marketing   nyse   president   products   sales   software   technology   track   washington  

Companies: Washington Post Co. (WPO)

 

The Washington Post and Bloomberg to Launch Global News Service - Zibb.com

--Additional Content Sharing, Jointly Branded Business Pages Add Value for News Consumers, Bloomberg Subscribers

The Washington Post and Bloomberg will launch a global news service, The Washington Post News Service with Bloomberg News, which will offer a selection of content from The Post and BLOOMBERG NEWS(R) stories to newspapers, Web sites and other subscribers daily.

The Post, the leading source of news about Washington, and Bloomberg, the world's most influential financial news organization, will also produce a co-branded Web-based business news page on washingtonpost.com, incorporating content from the Post and from the BLOOMBERG.COM(R) Web site.

In addition, the Post's entire news content, including breaking-news alerts, will be available in real time as part of the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL(R) service, which is the world's leading source of data, news and analytics with more than 300,000 users.

"Professionals worldwide rely on Bloomberg News for accurate and timely perspective, while Washington's decision-makers depend on The Post's thorough reporting on politics and policy. As politics and economics converge on a global scale, this association will create the go-to source for news and analysis of today's critical issues," said Matthew Winkler, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Bloomberg News.

"This is a formidable collaboration," said Marcus Brauchli, executive editor of The Washington Post. "It brings together The Post's vast expertise on politics and policy news in Washington with Bloomberg's highly regarded global financial, economic and political news franchise. It also brings together The Post's prize-winning feature writers and columnists with Bloomberg's team of top-notch journalistic talent."

"Bloomberg's incredible geographic reach and wide range of coverage topics, from business to entertainment to culture and the arts, provides a perfect complement to The Post's content for subscribers seeking a smart, high-end, comprehensive news service," Brauchli said.

The Washington Post News Service with Bloomberg News will be available starting January 1, 2010 to news organizations around the world. With 120 stories available daily, the service will offer an expansive selection of news across topics to subscribers along with photos, graphics and other story elements.

About The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)

The Washington Post provides award-winning news and understanding about the politics, policies, personalities and institutions that make Washington, D.C. the world's seat of power, and is a critical tool and information source for those who call Washington, D.C. home. In digital form, The Washington Post combines its world-class journalism with the latest technology and tools, and encourages participation and customization across all platforms so readers can engage with The Washington Post anytime, anywhere. The Washington Post is owned by The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), a diversified education and media company.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg is the source of critical information and tools with which to analyze, customize and use it. The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL(R) service and Bloomberg's media services deliver data, news and analytics that create transparency and allow users to transform knowledge into success.

Bloomberg Media Services

Bloomberg's media services cover the world with more than 2,200 news and multimedia professionals at 145 bureaus in 68 countries. Five hundred media organizations subscribe to BLOOMBERG NEWS(R) content, which is integrated onto the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service. The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION(R) 24-hour network reaches more than 200 million homes around the world. BLOOMBERG RADIO(R) services broadcast via XM, Sirius and WorldSpace satellite radio globally and on WBBR 1130AM in New York. The award-winning monthly BLOOMBERG MARKETS(R) magazine, the BLOOMBERG.COM(R) financial news and information Web site and BLOOMBERG PRESS(R) books provide news and insight to investors. For more information, please visit http://www.bloomberg.com.

The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service and data products are owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. (BFLP) except that Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries (BLP) distribute these products in Argentina, Bermuda, China, India, Japan and Korea. BFLP owns and distributes Bloomberg Markets Magazine. BLP provides BFLP with global marketing and operational support and services. Bloomberg Tradebook is distributed by Bloomberg Tradebook LLC and its subsidiaries. BLP owns and distributes Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Website and Bloomberg Press.

BLOOMBERG, BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL, BLOOMBERG MARKETS, BLOOMBERG NEWS, BLOOMBERG TELEVISION, BLOOMBERG RADIO, BLOOMBERG PRESS and BLOOMBERG.COM are trademarks and service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or its subsidiaries. BTV is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: The Washington Post

The Washington Post 
Kris Coratti, 202-334-5445 
kris.coratti@wpost.com 
or 
Bloomberg 
Angela Martin, 212-617-1211 
angelamartin@bloomberg.net

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Companies: Washington Post Co. (WPO)

 

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Authors@Google: Andrew Kimbrell

www.youtube.com

Andrew Kimbrell visits Google's Mountain View, CA headquarters to discuss his book Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Yo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxcA6cGDHu8

Business Issues | Threadwatch.org

Yahoo said on Wednesday it dropped plans to use Mexico's Teotihuacan archaeological site for its much-hyped "time capsule" project after Mexico pretty much told Yahoo! to take a hike.

http://www.threadwatch.org/business?page=16

Table of Contents

www.ccianet.org

Authors of the report Daniel Geer, Sc.D - Chief Technical Officer, @Stake Charles P. Pfleeger, Ph.D - Master Security Architect, Exodus Communications, Inc. Bruce Schneier ...

http://www.ccianet.org/papers/cyberinsecurity.pdf

IBM SJ 44-4 | Impact of service-oriented architecture on enterprise systems, organizational

J. S. Brown, S. Durschlag, and J. Hagel, “Loosening up: How Power Networks Unlock the Power of Specialization,” The McKinsey Quarterly, Special Edition: Risk and Resilience (2002), http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1202&L2=1&L3=24.

http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/444/bieberef.html

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The Washington Post Company

www.washpostco.com

Diversified media organization whose principal operations include newspaper and magazine publishing, broadcasting, and cable television systems.

http://www.washpostco.com/

The Washington Post Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org

The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO) is an American education and media company, best known for owning the newspaper it is named after, The Washington Post.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Post_Company

The Washington Post Company

washingtonpostcompany.com

© The Washington Post Company. All rights reserved. Contacts | Site Map | Text Only | Graphical Format

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Washington Post Company (WPO)

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Although The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO) is best known as the publisher of its namesake newspaper and Newsweek Magazine, its magazine and...

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Choices: The Essential Accounting Software Evaluation Forum

Let’s face it — the pallet of software choices has grown and selecting the right accounting solution has become more difficult. The right solution can reduce costs, increase productivity, offer meaningful reporting and measurable ROI.

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Conferences - O'Reilly Media

Jeff Jonas is chief scientist of the IBM Entity Analytic Solutions group and an IBM Distinguished Engineer. In these capacities, he is responsible for shaping the overall technical strategy of next generation identity analytics and the use of this new capability in the overall IBM products.

http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/user/view/e_spkr/2912