Lee Enterprises(LEE) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

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, contributing to 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, reflecting a 5% growth [10] - Total digital revenue for Q1 was over $70 million, representing over 54% of total revenue, with digital sources accounting for 71% of total advertising revenue [11][15] - Digital revenue mix improved by 330 basis points year-over-year [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company operates in 72 markets across the U.S., providing high-quality local news and advertising [8] - Digital subscription revenue has grown significantly, more than doubling that of the nearest competitor over the past three years [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a three-pillar digital growth strategy, transitioning to a digital-first company [3][4] - A $50 million equity investment was completed to strengthen the balance sheet and improve liquidity, with plans for future deleveraging [3][5] - The goal is to reach $450 million in digital revenue by 2030, with a trajectory towards approximately 90% digital revenue by fiscal 2030 [4][15] 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 [19] - The amended credit agreement is expected to generate approximately $18 million in annual interest savings, enhancing financial flexibility [17][18] - The company aims to continue building on digital revenue growth while managing declining legacy revenue streams [16] Other Important Information - A strategic partnership with Hudl was announced, aimed at enhancing local sports coverage and community engagement [20][21] - The company has identified $26 million in non-core assets for potential monetization to contribute to future debt reduction [18] Q&A Session Summary - No questions were received from web participants during the Q&A session [22][23]