Tribune Media (TRCO) Tops Q4 EPS by 8c; Will Explore Strategic Alternatives

Tribune Media (NYSE: TRCO) reported Q4 EPS of $0.63, $0.08 better than the analyst estimate of $0.55. Revenue for the quarter came in at $547.6 million versus the consensus estimate of $543.07 million.

GUIDANCE:

Tribune Media sees FY2016 revenue of $2.25-2.28 billion, versus the consensus of $2.23 billion.

Exploring Alternatives:

Tribune Media also announced that the Board of Directors and the Company have initiated a process to explore the full range of strategic and financial alternatives to enhance shareholder value. In addition, the Company announced that on February 24, 2016 the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $400 million of its outstanding Class A common stock.

The strategic and financial alternatives under consideration include, but are not limited to, the sale or separation of select lines of business or assets, strategic partnerships, programming alliances and return of capital initiatives. The Board of Directors and the Company have retained Moelis & Co. and Guggenheim Securities as financial advisors to assist in this process.

Bruce Karsh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, "The Board of Directors and management remain focused on maximizing shareholder value. We believe that the value of the portfolio of businesses of Tribune Media is not fully reflected in the stock price and intend to explore ways to unlock value by reviewing strategic alternatives. At the same time, we remain committed to achieving strong operational performance across our businesses."

The Company will also continue the previously announced monetization of its real estate portfolio, including the Tribune Tower located in Chicago and the north block of the Los Angeles Times Square property located in Los Angeles. In 2016, the Company has broadened this sales activity to include numerous other properties and has accelerated the monetization of these assets to take advantage of accommodative market conditions, although there can be no assurance that any transactions can be completed in a timely manner, on favorable terms, or at all.

The Company has not set a definitive timetable for the completion of its review of alternatives and does not currently intend to make any further disclosures regarding its exploration of alternatives until such time as any definitive agreements may be entered into in the process or as otherwise appropriate or required.

In addition, the Company and the Board announced that the Company has entered into new and amended employment agreements with three senior executives. Peter Liguori, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, entered into a new two-year employment agreement. The Company named Chandler Bigelow as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The Company also expanded the scope of responsibilities of Tribune Media's General Counsel, Eddie Lazarus, by naming him Chief Strategy Officer.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Tribune Media (TRCO) click here.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) stock slips despite earnings beat
• CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (CX) Tops Q1 EPS by 5c
• Mobileye (MBLY) misses estimates for Q1 earnings, revenue; shares slip