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Postmedia Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Date/time : 2025-11-20 07:13 PM
Symbol :

PNC.B

Company : Postmedia Network Canada Corp. Class NC Variable Voting Shares
Price : 1.00
Market cap : 100,033,633
O/S : 99,043,201
Exchange :

TSX

Industry :

Publishing

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Postmedia Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (“Postmedia” or the “Company”) today released financial information for the three and year ended August 31, 2025.

“Postmedia’s fourth quarter results mark the conclusion of a year that has seen growth and strategic progress in spite continued challenges in Canada’s domestic media sector,” said Andrew MacLeod, Postmedia President and Chief Executive Officer. “Gains across advertising, circulation and parcel delivery demonstrate our strategy is working, but the accelerated disruptions in digital audience due to Google’s roll out of A.I reinforce the criticality of continued transformation.”

“We connect communities and serve Canadians through trusted journalism and essential services,” said MacLeod. “We’re entering the next fiscal year with a clear focus on building a business model that will ensure Postmedia’s long-term sustainability allowing us to continue serving millions of Canadians trusted news and information from coast to coast.”

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Revenue for the quarter was $101.2 million as compared to $93.2 million in the same period in the prior year, representing an increase of $8.0 million (8.7%). The revenue increase was primarily due to increases in advertising revenue of $3.2 million (7.5%), circulation revenue of $1.9 million (5.8%) and parcel revenue of $3.6 million (29.4%), partially offset by decreases in other revenue of $0.6 million (10.4%).

Total operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other increased $15.6 million, or 19.3%, for the quarter ended August 31, 2025, relative to the same period in the prior year. The increase relates to increases in compensation, distribution and production expense, partially offset by a decrease in newsprint expense. Excluding the impact of the Saltwire asset acquisition, total operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring increased $5.6 million or 7.0%.

Operating income before depreciation, amortization and restructuring and other in the quarter was $4.6 million, a decrease of $7.6 million relative to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other is due to an increase in operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other, partially offset by an increase in total revenue. Excluding the impact of the Saltwire asset acquisition, operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring in the quarter was $1.6 million.

Net loss in the quarter ended August 31, 2025 was $44.7 million, as compared to a net loss of $3.1 million in the same period in the prior year. The increase in net loss was primarily the result of a decrease operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other, an increase in impairment expense, restructuring expense and a decrease in foreign currency exchange gains, partially offset by an increase in gains on derivative financial instruments.

Year to Date Operating Results

Revenue for the year ended August 31, 2025 was $431.5 million as compared to $395.9 million in the same period in the prior year, representing an increase of $35.6 million (9.0%). The revenue increase was primarily due to increases in advertising revenue of $22.7 million (12.3%), circulation revenue of $10.6 million (8.1%), parcel revenue of $4.4 million (8.6%), partially offset by decreases in other revenue of $2.1 million (7.0%). Excluding the impact of the Saltwire asset acquisition, advertising revenue for the year ended August 31, 2025 increased by 2.7%.

Total operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other increased $25.2 million, or 6.6%, for the year ended August 31, 2025, relative to the same period in the prior year. The increase relates to increases in compensation, distribution, production and other operating expenses, partially offset by a decrease in newsprint expenses. Excluding the impact of the Saltwire asset acquisition, total operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring decreased $17.1 million or 4.5%.

Operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other for the year ended August 31, 2025 was $25.2 million, an increase of $10.4 million relative to the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other is due to an increase in total revenues, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses excluding depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other. Excluding the impact of the Saltwire asset acquisition, operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring in the year ended August 31, 2025 was $16.6 million.

Net loss in the year ended August 31, 2025 was $77.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $49.7 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net loss was primarily the result of an increase in operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment, and restructuring and other, an increase in gains on disposal of assets held for sale, partially offset by an increase in interest expense, foreign currency exchange losses and a decrease in gain on derivative financial instruments.

Additional Information

Additional information, including financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis can be found on the Company’s website at www.postmedia.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

Note: All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

About Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B) is the holding company that owns Postmedia Network Inc., a Canadian newsmedia company representing more than 130 brands across multiple print and digital platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences. Our expertise in home delivery and expanding distribution network powers Postmedia Parcel Services. For more information, visit www.postmedia.com , www.postmediasolutions.com and www.postmediaparcelservices.com .

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may include information that is “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company has tried, where possible, to identify such information and statements by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should” and similar expressions and derivations thereof in connection with any discussion of future events, trends or prospects or future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect the implementation and results of the Company’s transformation initiatives, continued benefits of historical results into future periods, the realization of anticipated cost savings, the identification and undertaking of ongoing cost savings initiatives. By their nature, forward-looking information and statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: competition from digital and other forms of media; the effect of economic conditions on advertising revenue; the ability of the Company to build out its digital media and online businesses; the failure to maintain current print and online newspaper readership and circulation levels; the realization of anticipated cost savings; possible damage to the reputation of the Company’s brands or trademarks; possible labour disruptions; possible environmental liabilities, litigation and pension plan obligations; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the prices of newsprint and other commodities.

For a complete list of our risk factors please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our annual management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended August 31, 2025 and 2024. Although the Company bases such information and statements on assumptions believed to be reasonable when made, they are not guarantees of future performance and actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which the Company operates, may differ materially from any such information and statements in this press release. Given these risks and uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of such information or statements. Other than as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically declines, any obligation to update such information or statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such information or statements.

Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

For the three months ended

For the year ended

August 31,

2025

August 31,

2024

August 31,

2025

August 31,

2024

Revenues

Advertising

46,363

43,115

207,841

185,134

Circulation

33,939

32,079

140,751

130,183

Parcel services

15,711

12,146

55,380

51,016

Other

5,211

5,817

27,504

29,588

Total revenues

101,224

93,157

431,476

395,921

Expenses

Compensation

29,212

19,734

134,060

124,780

Newsprint

2,428

2,825

10,581

11,597

Distribution

38,034

34,214

148,730

137,922

Production

10,286

8,881

44,407

40,405

Other operating

16,618

15,288

68,475

66,398

Operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment and restructuring and other

4,646

12,215

25,223

14,819

Depreciation

3,127

3,772

12,930

16,272

Amortization

561

517

2,248

2,240

Impairment

14,996

-

16,497

-

Restructuring and other

19,738

3,843

24,255

9,144

Operating (loss) income

(33,776

)

4,083

(30,707

)

(12,837

)

Interest expense

10,509

9,965

42,439

37,179

Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)

332

(3,589

)

6,048

(1,177

)

Net financing expense relating to employee benefit plans

288

343

1,154

1,376

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets held for sale, property plant and equipment, right

of use assets, and other assets

140

295

(2,567

)

156

(Gain) loss on derivative financial instruments and financial assets at fair value

through profit and loss

(357

)

146

(526

)

(1,076

)

Loss on debt refinancing

-

-

-

367

Net loss after income taxes

(44,688

)

(3,077

)

(77,255

)

(49,662

)

Earning (loss) per share

Basic and diluted

$(0.45

)

$(0.03

)

$(0.78

)

$(0.50

)

Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

As at

August 31,

2025

As at

August 31,

2024

Assets

Current Assets

Cash

3,278

2,454

Trade and other receivables

59,169

53,931

Assets held-for-sale

-

2,560

Inventory

1,615

2,318

Prepaid expenses and other assets

6,449

8,522

Total current assets

70,511

69,785

Non-Current Assets

Property and equipment

22,986

35,089

Intangible assets

15,313

19,868

Right of use assets

14,543

19,783

Derivative financial instruments and other assets

4,672

4,399

Total assets

128,025

148,924

Liabilities and Deficiency

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

53,312

38,509

Provisions

1,253

1,514

Contract Liabilities

16,127

16,716

Current portion of lease obligations

7,742

7,773

Total current liabilities

78,434

64,512

Non-Current Liabilities

Long-term debt

388,964

352,638

Employee benefit obligations and other liabilities

30,084

33,034

Lease obligations

12,775

19,345

Other long-term liabilities

16,753

1,216

Total liabilities

527,010

470,745

Deficiency

Capital stock

820,357

820,357

Contributed surplus

19,960

19,511

Deficit

(1,239,302

)

(1,161,689

)

Total deficiency

(398,985

)

(321,821

)

Total liabilities and deficiency

128,025

148,924

Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

For the three months ended

For the year ended

August 31,

2025

August 31,

2024

August 31,

2025

August 31,

2024

Cash Generated (Utilized) by:

Operating Activities

Net loss after income taxes

(44,688

)

(3,077

)

(77,255

)

(49,662

)

Items not affecting cash:

Depreciation

3,127

3,771

12,930

16,272

Amortization

561

518

2,248

2,240

Impairment

14,996

-

16,497

-

Loss on debt refinancing

-

-

-

367

(Gain) loss on derivative financial instruments and financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

(357

)

146

(526

)

(1,076

)

Non-cash interest

9,453

9,554

39,189

34,312

Loss (Gain) on disposal of assets held for sale, property plant and equipment, right

of use assets, and other assets

140

295

(2,567

)

156

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

18,924

-

18,924

-

Non-cash foreign currency exchange losses (gains)

153

(5,996

)

6,516

(3,028

)

Share-based compensation plans

37

214

449

814

Net financing expense relating to employee benefit plans

288

343

1,154

1,376

Employee benefit plan funding in excess of compensation expense

(961

)

(777

)

(3,424

)

(3,169

)

Net change in non-cash operating accounts

(4,590

)

(13,900

)

(2,121

)

(15,610

)

Cash flows (used in) from operating activities

(2,918

)

(8,909

)

12,014

(17,008

)

Investing Activities

Net proceeds from the sale of assets held-for-sale and other assets

-

3,053

8,530

6,125

Purchases of property and equipment

(253

)

(126

)

(770

)

(575

)

Purchases of intangible assets

(650

)

(544

)

(1,815

)

(1,291

)

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

-

(1,000

)

-

(1,000

)

Cash flows (used in) from investing activities

(903

)

1,383

5,945

3,259

Financing activities

Advances from asset-based lending facility

6,435

4,997

11,841

13,788

Repayment of asset-based lending facility

-

-

(7,935

)

(6,347

)

Repayment of first lien senior secured notes

-

-

(7,734

)

(699

)

Restricted cash

-

-

-

6,968

Issuance of short-term promissory note

-

5,000

-

5,000

Repayment of short term promissory note

-

-

(5,000

)

-

Repayment of unsecured promissory notes

-

-

-

(4,696

)

Repayment of senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility

-

-

-

(14,500

)

Advances from senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility

-

-

-

8,500

Repayment of senior secured notes

-

-

-

(24,475

)

Issuance of first lien senior secured notes

-

-

-

20,158

Issuance of asset-based lending facility

-

-

-

15,393

Debt issuance costs

-

111

-

(2,307

)

Repayment of contingent consideration

(1,039

)

-

(2,082

)

-

Lease payments

(1,557

)

(1,642

)

(6,225

)

(6,771

)

Cash flow (used in) from financing activities

3,839

8,466

(17,135

)

10,012

Net change in cash for the period

18

940

824

(3,737

)

Cash at beginning of period

3,260

1,514

2,454

6,191

Cash at end of period

3,278

2,454

3,278

2,454

Supplemental disclosure of operating cash flows

Interest paid

1,037

834

3,250

3,541

For more information:
Media Contact
Communications
inquiries@postmedia.com

Investor Contact
John Bode
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Transformation Officer
investors@postmedia.com