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Lee Enterprises(LEE) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-10 16:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA grew 61% year-over-year to $12 million, driven by consistent execution and disciplined cost management [3][10] - Total cash costs declined by $17 million over the prior year, reflecting improved operating efficiency [11][12] - Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 9.4% from 5.3% in the prior year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital subscription revenue reached $23 million from 609,000 digital-only subscribers, with a 5% growth fueled by engagement and pricing optimization [10] - Total digital revenue for Q1 was over $70 million, representing over 54% of total revenue, with a digital revenue mix improvement of 330 basis points year-over-year [11] - Revenue from the Amplified Digital Agency grew at a 5% annual rate over the last three years, indicating strong digital advertising growth [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in 72 markets across the U.S., providing high-quality local news and advertising [8] - Digital revenue is projected to reach approximately 90% by fiscal 2030, reflecting a significant shift from print to digital [14][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a three-pillar digital growth strategy, emphasizing digital subscription growth and digital advertising [4][8] - A recent $50 million equity investment strengthens the balance sheet and improves liquidity, supporting future digital transformation projects [3][5] - The amended credit agreement reduces the interest rate on outstanding debt from 9% to 5%, expected to generate approximately $18 million in annual interest savings [7][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth for fiscal 2026, supported by strong first-quarter results [18] - The partnership with Hudl aims to enhance local sports coverage and community engagement, aligning with the company's mission [18][19] Other Important Information - The company has identified $26 million in non-core assets for potential monetization, contributing to future debt reduction [17] - The termination of the defined benefit pension plan eliminates future cost uncertainty [17] Q&A Session Summary - No questions were received from web participants during the Q&A session [21]