FP Newspapers Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Aug 14, 2015) - FP Newspapers Inc. ("FPI") (FP.TO) announces financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. FPI is the successor to the business of the FP Newspapers Income Fund and owns securities entitling it to 49% of the distributable cash of FP Canadian Newspapers Limited Partnership ("FPLP").

Second quarter operating results of FPI

During the second quarter of 2015 FPI recorded a non-cash write-down of $18.6 million in the carrying value of its investment in FPLP due to lower than anticipated operating results. Excluding the non-cash write-down, FPI had net earnings of $0.9 million, or $0.137 per share, during the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to net earnings of $1.1 million, or $0.166 per share in the same quarter last year. For reasons outlined in the outlook section of this report, effective August 14, 2015 the Board of Directors of FPI determined not to declare further dividends at this time.

Second quarter operating results of FPLP

FPLP's revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $23.5 million, a decrease of $2.3 million or 9.0% from the same three months in the prior year. FPLP's print advertising revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2015 were $14.6 million, a $2.1 million or 12.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. FPLP's largest advertising revenue category, display advertising including colour, was $8.7 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 13.2% from the same period in the prior year, primarily due to decreased spending in the national automotive, telecommunications and department store categories. Classified advertising revenues for the second quarter decreased by $0.3 million or 11.5% compared to the same period last year, primarily due to decreased spending in real estate and employment categories. Flyer distribution revenues decreased by $0.5 million or 12.2% compared to the second quarter in 2014, primarily due to the closures of a few large retail customers.

Print circulation revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2015 were $6.3 million, a decrease of $ $0.2 million or 3.3% compared to the second quarter of 2014, with lower unit sales offsetting increased revenue from slightly higher subscription and single copy rates. Digital revenues for the second quarter increased by $0.1 million or 5.9%, primarily due to an increase in on-line web ads.

Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 were $20.3 million, a decrease of $1.7 million or 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Employee compensation costs for the second quarter decreased by $0.9 million or 8.2% from the same period in the prior year, primarily due to a reduction in the number of employees. Newsprint expense for FPLP's own publications for the second quarter decreased by $0.3 million or 15.3% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to lower volumes resulting from fewer circulation copies and a lower average cost per metric tonne. Newsprint expense for commercial printing for the three months ended June 30, 2015 decreased by $0.1 million or 25.8%, primarily due to a decrease in pages printed. Delivery costs decreased by $0.3 million or 7.9%, primarily resulting from lower circulation and flyer volumes and more efficient distribution methods.