Lee Enterprises Reports Strong Third Quarter Results and Increases 2026 Fiscal Year Outlook
Rhea-AI Summary
Lee Enterprises (NASDAQ: LEE) reported preliminary third quarter fiscal 2026 results for the period ended June 28, 2026. Total operating revenue was $126 million, with total digital revenue of $72 million, representing 57% of revenue. Net income was $5 million, a $7 million improvement from the prior-year quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $18 million, up 23% year-over-year. Digital-only subscription revenue reached $22 million with 584,000 digital-only subscribers, while digital advertising and marketing services generated $45 million.
Operating expenses were $118 million and Cash Costs(1) were $109 million, each down 14% year-over-year. Interest expense declined 45% to about $5.6 million, following a February strategic investment that reduced the credit facility interest rate from 9% to 5%. Lee ended the quarter with $59 million in cash and $455 million of debt. The company increased its fiscal 2026 Adjusted EBITDA outlook to 22%–28% year-over-year growth and is executing a strategic termination of its fully funded pension plan to reduce balance sheet volatility.
Positive
- Adjusted EBITDA up 23% YoY to $18.4 million in Q3
- Net income improved to $5.2 million from a prior-year loss
- Interest expense down 45%, about $5 million lower year-over-year
- Digital revenue $72 million, 57% of total Q3 revenue
- Digital-only subscribers reached 584,000; revenue $22 million in quarter
- FY26 Adjusted EBITDA outlook raised to 22%–28% year-over-year growth
Negative
- Total operating revenue declined to $126.0 million from $141.3 million
- Total digital revenue decreased to $71.6 million from $77.9 million
- Total print revenue fell to $54.4 million from $63.4 million
- Total debt remains high at $455 million, $395 million net of cash
News Explained
The completed $50 million common-stock financing lowered interest costs, while $455 million of debt has no fixed principal payments.
The February transaction was a
A private placement sells securities to selected investors outside a public offering; the completed financing also made credit-agreement amendments operative, lowering the fixed annual interest rate from
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24 | Earnings call scheduling | Neutral | +4.3% | Company scheduled the fiscal third-quarter results call for August 6 |
| Jul 16 | AI service launch | Positive | -2.3% | Amplified Digital launched an AI visibility service for businesses |
| Jun 29 | Index inclusion | Positive | +4.7% | Lee joined the Russell 2000 Index effective at market open |
| Jun 03 | Sports partnership | Positive | -1.2% | Hudl and Franciscan Alliance partnered with Lee on Indiana sports coverage |
| May 07 | Second-quarter earnings | Positive | -1.8% | Lee reported Q2 EBITDA growth and reaffirmed fiscal-year guidance |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Historical reactions were mixed: three positive announcements had negative 24-hour reactions, while one had a positive reaction.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
cash costs financial
non-gaap financial
same-store revenues financial
private placement financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Delivered Net Income of
Digital revenue(2) represents
Ended Q3 with
Increased fiscal 2026 Adjusted EBITDA(1) outlook
DAVENPORT, Iowa, Aug. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE), a digital-first subscription platform providing high quality, trusted, local news, information and a major platform for advertising in 114 markets, today reported preliminary third quarter fiscal 2026 financial results(3) for the period ended June 28, 2026.
"Our third quarter results demonstrate the continued execution of our digital-first strategy and the meaningful progress we are making across the business," said Nathan Bekke, Lee's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We delivered another quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth while generating positive net income, reflecting disciplined cost management, ongoing operational improvements and the benefits of the strategic actions we've taken over the past year. Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA increased
“Based on our performance through the first nine months of the fiscal year and continued confidence in our operating momentum, we are increasing our outlook for fiscal 2026 Adjusted EBITDA,” added Bekke. “We now expect to finish the year with year-over-year growth between
"Our return to positive net income reflects the progress we've made in strengthening the business and improving our financial foundation," added Josh Rinehults, Lee's Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. "Net income in the quarter was driven by continued Adjusted EBITDA growth and lower interest expense following February's strategic investment. Interest expense declined
"Our operational focus remains centered on improving profitability while continuing to invest in the products, technology and journalism that support long-term digital growth," Bekke added. "Throughout the quarter, we continued to optimize our workflows and align resources with the evolving needs of our business. These initiatives are driving greater efficiency, supporting margin expansion and positioning Lee to operate with increased scale as our digital business continues to evolve."
"During the quarter, we also announced a new management agreement with Hoffmann Media Group," Bekke continued. "This partnership highlights the value of Lee's operating platform, digital expertise and deep experience serving local markets. As we assume management responsibilities, we have the opportunity to further leverage our technology, operational capabilities and best practices while deepening a relationship that aligns with our long-term strategic objectives. We believe this agreement demonstrates the strength and scalability of our platform while creating opportunities for future growth for Lee."
"We remain focused on building a more resilient, scalable business that delivers sustainable long-term value," Bekke concluded. "We are encouraged by our performance through the first nine months of the fiscal year combined with the expansion of our operating platform which reinforces our confidence in the direction of the business. We believe Lee is well positioned to continue driving long-term profitability and creating lasting value for our shareholders."
For the third quarter ended June 28, 2026:
- Total operating revenue was
$126 million . - Total Digital Revenue was
$72 million and represented57% of our total operating revenue. - Revenue from digital-only subscribers totaled
$22 million . Digital-only subscription revenue increased20% annually over the past three years. Digital-only subscribers totaled 584,000 at the end of the quarter. - Digital advertising and marketing services revenue represented
76% of our total advertising revenue and totaled$45 million . Amplified Digital® Agency revenue totaled$27 million in the quarter. - Digital services revenue, which is predominantly from BLOX Digital, totaled
$5 million . - Total Print Revenue was
$54 million . - Operating expenses totaled
$118 million and Cash Costs(1) totaled$109 million , representing14% and14% decreases compared to the prior year, respectively. - Net income totaled
$5 million , an improvement of$7 million over the prior year quarter. - Adjusted EBITDA totaled
$18 million , an increase of$3 million , or23% , over the prior year quarter.
2026 Fiscal Year Outlook:
| Adjusted EBITDA | |
Debt and Free Cash Flow:
The Company has
As of and for the period ended June 28, 2026:
- The principal amount of debt totaled
$455 million . - Cash on the balance sheet totaled
$59 million . Debt, net of cash on the balance sheet, totaled$395 million . - Capital expenditures totaled
$1 million for the quarter. We expect up to$7 million of capital expenditures in FY26. - We expect cash paid for income taxes to total between
$3 million and$9 million in FY26. - We do not expect any pension contributions in the fiscal year.
- The Company is executing a strategic termination of our fully funded benefit pension plan, eliminating the long-term volatility tied to interest rate movement, mortality assumptions and asset performance, while preserving participant benefits and improving balance sheet flexibility.
Conference Call Information:
As previously announced, we will hold an earnings conference call and audio webcast today at 9 a.m. Central Time. The live webcast will be accessible at www.lee.net and will be available for replay 24 hours later. Questions from other participants may be submitted by participating in the webcast. To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register at www.lee.net. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.
About Lee:
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription and advertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expanding digital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Lee's markets include St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; Omaha, NE; Richmond, VA; Lincoln, NE; Madison, WI; Davenport, IA; and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS — The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This release contains information that may be deemed forward-looking that is based largely on our current expectations, and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, are:
- Our ability to manage declining print revenue and circulation subscribers;
- The impact and duration of adverse conditions in certain aspects of the economy affecting our business;
- Changes in advertising and subscription demand;
- Changes in technology that impact our ability to deliver digital advertising;
- Potential changes in newsprint, other commodities and energy costs;
- Interest rates;
- Labor costs;
- Significant cyber security breaches or failure of our information technology systems;
- Our ability to achieve planned expense reductions and realize the expected benefit of our acquisitions;
- Our ability to maintain employee and customer relationships;
- Our ability to manage increased capital costs;
- Our ability to maintain our listing status on NASDAQ;
- Competition;
- We may be required to indemnify the previous owners of BH Media or The Buffalo News for unknown legal and other matters that may arise;
- The impacts of changes to our leadership and corporate governance; and
- Other risks detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents.
Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “considers” and similar expressions) generally should be considered forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding our business and industry and our responses thereto may have on our future operations, are forward-looking statements. They reflect our expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date the statement is made. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this report. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Contact:
IR@lee.net
(563) 383-2100
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
| (Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Data) | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | ||||
| Operating revenue: | ||||||||
| Print advertising revenue | 14,478 | 17,474 | 45,943 | 53,867 | ||||
| Digital advertising revenue | 44,846 | 49,097 | 128,334 | 139,766 | ||||
| Advertising and marketing services revenue | 59,324 | 66,571 | 174,277 | 193,633 | ||||
| Print subscription revenue | 32,918 | 38,076 | 100,816 | 122,587 | ||||
| Digital subscription revenue | 21,829 | 23,482 | 66,814 | 68,836 | ||||
| Subscription revenue | 54,747 | 61,558 | 167,630 | 191,423 | ||||
| Print other revenue | 6,967 | 7,837 | 21,545 | 22,938 | ||||
| Digital other revenue | 4,932 | 5,328 | 14,544 | 15,241 | ||||
| Other revenue | 11,899 | 13,165 | 36,089 | 38,179 | ||||
| Total operating revenue | 125,970 | 141,294 | 377,996 | 423,235 | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Compensation | 44,810 | 47,436 | 140,989 | 164,349 | ||||
| Newsprint and ink | 2,521 | 3,268 | 8,005 | 9,996 | ||||
| Other operating expenses | 62,076 | 77,252 | 193,640 | 223,387 | ||||
| Insurance proceeds | (560 | ) | — | (6,401 | ) | — | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,527 | 3,783 | 10,621 | 15,218 | ||||
| Gain on asset sales, impairments and other, net | (73 | ) | (1,562 | ) | (976 | ) | (2,365 | ) |
| Restructuring costs and other | 5,959 | 7,141 | 12,746 | 18,806 | ||||
| Total operating expenses | 118,260 | 137,318 | 358,624 | 429,391 | ||||
| Equity in earnings of associated companies | 922 | 686 | 3,010 | 2,963 | ||||
| Operating income (loss) | 8,632 | 4,662 | 22,382 | (3,193 | ) | |||
| Non-operating (expense) income: | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (5,558 | ) | (10,132 | ) | (23,435 | ) | (30,365 | ) |
| Pension and other post employment benefits ("OPEB") related and other, net | 1,169 | 1,050 | 2,840 | 2,362 | ||||
| Settlement gains | 2,330 | — | 2,330 | — | ||||
| Total non-operating expense, net | (2,059 | ) | (9,082 | ) | (18,265 | ) | (28,003 | ) |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 6,573 | (4,420 | ) | 4,117 | (31,196 | ) | ||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,400 | (2,744 | ) | 5,779 | (1,281 | ) | ||
| Net income (loss) | 5,173 | (1,676 | ) | (1,662 | ) | (29,915 | ) | |
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (498 | ) | (244 | ) | (1,423 | ) | (1,264 | ) |
| Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated | 4,675 | (1,920 | ) | (3,085 | ) | (31,179 | ) | |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | (1,611 | ) | (115 | ) | (1,769 | ) | (230 | ) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated | 3,064 | (2,035 | ) | (4,854 | ) | (31,409 | ) | |
| Earnings (loss) per common share: | ||||||||
| Basic: | 0.21 | (0.31 | ) | (0.22 | ) | (5.16 | ) | |
| Diluted: | 0.21 | (0.31 | ) | (0.22 | ) | (5.16 | ) | |
DIGITAL / PRINT REVENUE COMPOSITION
(UNAUDITED)
| Three months Ended | Nine months ended | |||
| (Thousands of Dollars) | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 |
| Digital Advertising and Marketing Services Revenue | 44,846 | 49,097 | 128,334 | 139,766 |
| Digital Only Subscription Revenue | 21,829 | 23,482 | 66,814 | 68,836 |
| Digital Services Revenue | 4,932 | 5,328 | 14,544 | 15,241 |
| Total Digital Revenue | 71,607 | 77,907 | 209,692 | 223,843 |
| Print Advertising Revenue | 14,478 | 17,474 | 45,943 | 53,867 |
| Print Subscription Revenue | 32,918 | 38,076 | 100,816 | 122,587 |
| Other Print Revenue | 6,967 | 7,837 | 21,545 | 22,938 |
| Total Print Revenue | 54,363 | 63,387 | 168,304 | 199,392 |
| Total Operating Revenue | 125,970 | 141,294 | 377,996 | 423,235 |
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)
The tables below reconcile the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss, its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
| (Thousands of Dollars) | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | ||||
| Net income (loss) | 5,173 | (1,676 | ) | (1,662 | ) | (29,915 | ) | |
| Adjusted to exclude | ||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,400 | (2,744 | ) | 5,779 | (1,281 | ) | ||
| Non-operating expenses, net | 2,059 | 9,082 | 18,265 | 28,003 | ||||
| Equity in earnings of TNI and MNI | (922 | ) | (686 | ) | (3,010 | ) | (2,963 | ) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,527 | 3,783 | 10,621 | 15,218 | ||||
| Restructuring costs and other | 5,959 | 7,141 | 12,746 | 18,806 | ||||
| Gain on asset sales, impairments and other, net | (73 | ) | (1,562 | ) | (976 | ) | (2,365 | ) |
| Stock compensation | 181 | 540 | 722 | 1,328 | ||||
| Add: | ||||||||
| Ownership share of TNI and MNI EBITDA ( | 1,071 | 1,066 | 3,296 | 3,488 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 18,375 | 14,944 | 45,781 | 30,319 | ||||
The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Cash Costs to Operating expenses, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
| (Thousands of Dollars) | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | ||||
| Operating expenses | 118,260 | 137,318 | 358,624 | 429,391 | ||||
| Adjustments | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,527 | 3,783 | 10,621 | 15,218 | ||||
| Gain on asset sales, impairments and other, net | (73 | ) | (1,562 | ) | (976 | ) | (2,365 | ) |
| Restructuring costs and other | 5,959 | 7,141 | 12,746 | 18,806 | ||||
| Insurance proceeds | (560 | ) | — | (6,401 | ) | — | ||
| Cash Costs | 109,407 | 127,956 | 342,634 | 397,732 | ||||
The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial performance measure of Same-store Revenues to Operating Revenues, its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||
| (Thousands of Dollars) | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | June 28, 2026 | June 29, 2025 | |||
| Print Advertising Revenue | 14,478 | 17,474 | 45,943 | 53,867 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (2,189 | ) | (2,399 | ) | (6,676 | ) |
| Same-store, Print Advertising Revenue | 14,478 | 15,285 | 43,544 | 47,191 | |||
| Digital Advertising Revenue | 44,846 | 49,097 | 128,334 | 139,766 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (1,144 | ) | (770 | ) | (4,204 | ) |
| Same-store, Digital Advertising Revenue | 44,846 | 47,953 | 127,564 | 135,562 | |||
| Total Advertising Revenue | 59,324 | 66,571 | 174,277 | 193,633 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (3,333 | ) | (3,169 | ) | (10,880 | ) |
| Same-store, Total Advertising Revenue | 59,324 | 63,238 | 171,108 | 182,753 | |||
| Print Subscription Revenue | 32,918 | 38,076 | 100,816 | 122,587 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (34 | ) | (3 | ) | (142 | ) |
| Same-store, Print Subscription Revenue | 32,918 | 38,042 | 100,813 | 122,445 | |||
| Digital Subscription Revenue | 21,829 | 23,482 | 66,814 | 68,836 | |||
| Exited operations | — | — | — | (2 | ) | ||
| Same-store, Digital Subscription Revenue | 21,829 | 23,482 | 66,814 | 68,834 | |||
| Total Subscription Revenue | 54,747 | 61,558 | 167,630 | 191,423 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (34 | ) | (3 | ) | (144 | ) |
| Same-store, Total Subscription Revenue | 54,747 | 61,524 | 167,627 | 191,279 | |||
| Print Other Revenue | 6,967 | 7,837 | 21,545 | 22,938 | |||
| Exited operations | — | — | — | — | |||
| Same-store, Print Other Revenue | 6,967 | 7,837 | 21,545 | 22,938 | |||
| Digital Other Revenue | 4,932 | 5,328 | 14,544 | 15,241 | |||
| Exited operations | — | — | — | — | |||
| Same-store, Digital Other Revenue | 4,932 | 5,328 | 14,544 | 15,241 | |||
| Total Other Revenue | 11,899 | 13,165 | 36,089 | 38,179 | |||
| Exited operations | — | — | — | — | |||
| Same-store, Total Other Revenue | 11,899 | 13,165 | 36,089 | 38,179 | |||
| Total Operating Revenue | 125,970 | 141,294 | 377,996 | 423,235 | |||
| Exited operations | — | (3,367 | ) | (3,172 | ) | (11,024 | ) |
| Same-store, Total Operating Revenue | 125,970 | 137,927 | 374,824 | 412,211 | |||
NOTES
(1) The following are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures for which reconciliations to relevant U.S GAAP measures are included in tables accompanying this release:
- Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that enhances financial statement users overall understanding of the operating performance of the Company. The measure isolates unusual, infrequent or non-cash transactions from the operating performance of the business. This allows users to easily compare operating performance among various fiscal periods and how management measures the performance of the business. This measure also provides users with a benchmark that can be used when forecasting future operating performance of the Company that excludes unusual, nonrecurring or one-time transactions. Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used by stockholders and analysts to determine the value of our business when using the market approach, which applies a market multiple to financial metrics. It is also a measure used to calculate the leverage ratio of the Company, which is a key financial ratio monitored and used by the Company and its investors. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus non-operating expenses, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, restructuring costs and other, stock compensation and our
50% share of EBITDA from TNI and MNI, minus equity in earnings of TNI and MNI. - Cash Costs represent a non-GAAP financial performance measure of operating expenses which are measured on an accrual basis and settled in cash. This measure is useful to investors in understanding the components of the Company’s cash-settled operating costs. Periodically, the Company provides forward-looking guidance of Cash Costs, which can be used by financial statement users to assess the Company's ability to manage and control its operating cost structure. Cash Costs are defined as compensation, newsprint and ink and other operating expenses. Depreciation and amortization, assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other, other non-cash operating expenses and other expenses are excluded. Cash Costs also exclude restructuring costs and other, which are typically paid in cash.
(2) Total Digital Revenue is defined as digital advertising and marketing services revenue (including Amplified Digital®), digital-only subscription revenue and digital services revenue.
(3) This earnings release is a preliminary report of results for the periods included. The reader should refer to the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-Q and on Form 10-K for definitive information.
(4) The Company's current debt balance is
(5) Comparable basis is a non-GAAP performance measure based on U.S. GAAP trends for Lee for the current period, excluding the extra week in fiscal 2024. The fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2025 consisted of 13 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. The fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2024 consisted of 14 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively.
(6) FY25 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA were materially impacted by a cyber incident in February 2025. The FY25 impact on revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was approximately
(7) TNI refers to TNI Partners publishing operations in Tucson, AZ. MNI refers to Madison Newspapers, Inc. publishing operations in Madison, WI.
