Item 1. Financial Statements
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2026 | | December 31, 2025 |
| | (Unaudited) | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Current assets | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 186,733 | | | $ | 255,445 | |
| Short-term marketable securities | | 407,790 | | | 386,712 | |
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $11,553 as of March 31, 2026, and $11,406 as of December 31, 2025) | | 234,857 | | | 290,823 | |
| Prepaid expenses | | 58,723 | | | 60,017 | |
| Other current assets | | 39,108 | | | 35,070 | |
| Total current assets | | 927,211 | | | 1,028,067 | |
| Other assets | | | | |
| Long-term marketable securities | | 512,666 | | | 525,695 | |
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $958,767 as of March 31, 2026, and $945,338 as of December 31, 2025) | | 459,708 | | | 462,365 | |
| Goodwill | | 407,788 | | | 409,212 | |
| Intangible assets, net | | 222,395 | | | 229,376 | |
| Deferred income taxes | | 61,565 | | | 72,830 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Miscellaneous assets | | 268,018 | | | 269,545 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 2,859,351 | | | $ | 2,997,090 | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-(Continued)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2026 | | December 31, 2025 |
| | (Unaudited) | | |
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | |
| Accounts payable | | $ | 137,809 | | | $ | 135,623 | |
| Accrued payroll and other related liabilities | | 100,753 | | | 186,129 | |
| Unexpired subscriptions revenue | | 215,824 | | | 207,623 | |
| | | | |
Accrued expenses and other | | 123,496 | | | 137,320 | |
| Total current liabilities | | 577,882 | | | 666,695 | |
| Other liabilities | | | | |
| | | | |
| Pension and postretirement benefits obligation | | 206,951 | | | 210,838 | |
| | | | |
Other | | 73,037 | | | 78,194 | |
| Total other liabilities | | 279,988 | | | 289,032 | |
| Stockholders’ equity | | | | |
Common stock of $.10 par value: | | | | |
Class A – authorized: 300,000,000 shares; issued: as of March 31, 2026 – 179,798,017; as of December 31, 2025 – 178,951,695 (including treasury shares: as of March 31, 2026 – 18,682,134; as of December 31, 2025 – 17,902,769) | | 17,983 | | | 17,898 | |
Class B – convertible – authorized and issued shares: as of March 31, 2026 – 780,724; as of December 31, 2025 – 780,724 | | 78 | | | 78 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 378,296 | | | 411,532 | |
Retained earnings | | 2,600,692 | | | 2,550,539 | |
Common stock held in treasury, at cost | | (629,226) | | | (572,878) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes: | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | (6,300) | | | (4,883) | |
| Funded status of benefit plans | | (359,604) | | | (363,262) | |
| Net unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale securities | | (438) | | | 2,339 | |
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | | (366,342) | | | (365,806) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Total stockholders’ equity | | 2,001,481 | | | 2,041,363 | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 2,859,351 | | | $ | 2,997,090 | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | | | |
| | | | |
| Revenues | | | | | | | | |
| Subscription | | $ | 516,871 | | | $ | 464,257 | | | | | |
| Advertising | | 126,824 | | | 108,076 | | | | | |
| Affiliate, licensing and other | | 68,541 | | | 63,577 | | | | | |
Total revenues | | 712,236 | | | 635,910 | | | | | |
| Operating costs | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | 362,936 | | | 334,637 | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing | | 77,263 | | | 65,959 | | | | | |
| Product development | | 70,193 | | | 66,539 | | | | | |
| General and administrative | | 86,452 | | | 79,913 | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | | 4,397 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | | | | | |
| Total operating costs | | 621,619 | | | 577,276 | | | | | |
| Operating profit | | 90,617 | | | 58,634 | | | | | |
| Other components of net periodic benefit costs | | (3,582) | | | (4,638) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Interest income and other, net | | 11,283 | | | 9,972 | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | | 98,318 | | | 63,968 | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 10,396 | | | 14,417 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 87,922 | | | $ | 49,551 | | | | | |
| Average number of common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | 162,040 | | | 163,779 | | | | | |
| Diluted | | 163,699 | | | 164,908 | | | | | |
| Basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 0.54 | | | $ | 0.30 | | | | | |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 0.54 | | | $ | 0.30 | | | | | |
| Dividends declared per share | | $ | 0.23 | | | $ | 0.18 | | | | | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 87,922 | | | $ | 49,551 | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income, before tax: | | | | | | | | |
| (Loss)/gain on foreign currency translation adjustments | | (1,927) | | | 2,488 | | | | | |
| Pension and postretirement benefits obligation | | 4,975 | | | 4,405 | | | | | |
| Net unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale securities | | (3,777) | | | 1,021 | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive (loss)/income, before tax | | (729) | | | 7,914 | | | | | |
| Income tax (benefit)/expense | | (193) | | | 2,080 | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax | | (536) | | | 5,834 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 87,386 | | | $ | 55,385 | | | | | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Capital Stock – Class A and Class B Common | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Income Taxes | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2024 | $ | 17,869 | | $ | 356,450 | | $ | 2,325,142 | | $ | (406,446) | | $ | (365,806) | | $ | 1,927,209 | |
| Net income | — | | — | | 49,551 | | — | | — | | 49,551 | |
| Dividends | — | | — | | (29,666) | | — | | — | | (29,666) | |
| Other comprehensive income | — | | — | | — | | — | | 5,834 | | 5,834 | |
| Issuance of stock-based awards, net of withholding taxes: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Restricted stock units vested – 591,716 Class A shares | 59 | | (20,536) | | — | | — | | — | | (20,477) | |
Performance-based awards – 145,624 Class A shares | 15 | | (5,781) | | — | | — | | — | | (5,766) | |
| | | | | | |
Share Repurchases – 1,180,186 Class A shares | — | | — | | — | | (59,182) | | — | | (59,182) | |
| Stock-based compensation | — | | 17,353 | | — | | — | | — | | 17,353 | |
| Balance, March 31, 2025 | $ | 17,943 | | $ | 347,486 | | $ | 2,345,027 | | $ | (465,628) | | $ | (359,972) | | $ | 1,884,856 | |
| | | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2025 | $ | 17,976 | | $ | 411,532 | | $ | 2,550,539 | | $ | (572,878) | | $ | (365,806) | | $ | 2,041,363 | |
| Net income | — | | — | | 87,922 | | — | | — | | 87,922 | |
| Dividends | — | | — | | (37,769) | | — | | — | | (37,769) | |
| Other comprehensive loss | — | | — | | — | | — | | (536) | | (536) | |
| Issuance of stock-based awards, net of withholding taxes: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Restricted stock units vested – 567,352 Class A shares | 57 | | (31,158) | | — | | — | | — | | (31,101) | |
Performance-based awards – 278,970 Class A shares | 28 | | (21,348) | | — | | — | | — | | (21,320) | |
| | | | | | |
Share Repurchases – 779,365 Class A shares | — | | — | | — | | (56,348) | | — | | (56,348) | |
| Stock-based compensation | — | | 19,270 | | — | | — | | — | | 19,270 | |
| Balance, March 31, 2026 | $ | 18,061 | | $ | 378,296 | | $ | 2,600,692 | | $ | (629,226) | | $ | (366,342) | | $ | 2,001,481 | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended |
| | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 |
| Cash flows from operating activities | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 87,922 | | | $ | 49,551 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | |
| | | | |
| Amortization of right-of-use asset | | 2,762 | | | 2,329 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 19,270 | | | 17,353 | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Change in long-term retirement benefit obligations | | (3,413) | | | (2,472) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Other – net | | (719) | | | 2,629 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | |
| Accounts receivable – net | | 55,966 | | | 57,016 | |
| Other assets | | (735) | | | 32,079 | |
| Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities | | (98,641) | | | (92,257) | |
| Unexpired subscriptions | | 8,201 | | | 6,623 | |
| Other noncurrent assets and liabilities | | 1,060 | | | 406 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 92,236 | | | 99,088 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | | | | |
| Purchases of marketable securities | | (129,210) | | | (168,265) | |
| Maturities of marketable securities | | 116,696 | | | 161,931 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | (10,723) | | | (9,237) | |
| Other – net | | 559 | | | 7,231 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | (22,678) | | | (8,340) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Dividends paid | | (30,387) | | | (22,069) | |
| | | | |
| Capital shares: | | | | |
| | | | |
| Repurchases | | (56,348) | | | (58,957) | |
| Share-based compensation tax withholding | | (52,421) | | | (26,243) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | (139,156) | | | (107,269) | |
| Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | (69,598) | | | (16,521) | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | (389) | | | (178) | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period | | 270,461 | | | 213,857 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period | | $ | 200,474 | | | $ | 197,158 | |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
In the opinion of management of The New York Times Company (the “Company”), the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company for the quarters ended March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively as “we,” “us” or “our.” All adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules, certain notes or other financial information that are normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. These financial statements, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations.
In the third quarter of 2025, the Company updated its internal reporting to reflect how the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”)) manages the business, and, as a result, the Company has determined it has one reportable segment and one reporting unit. Prior periods presented have been recast to conform to the current presentation. See Note 5 and Note 13 for additional information.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
As of March 31, 2026, our significant accounting policies, which are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, have not changed.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Accounting Standard Updates | Topic | Effective Period | Summary |
2024-03 2025-01 | Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses | Fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. | Requires entities to disclose additional information about specific expense categories in the notes to the financial statements on an interim and annual basis. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s disclosures. |
| 2025-06 | Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Improvements to the Accounting for and Disclosure of Internal-Use Software | Fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2027, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of an annual period. | Removes all references to software development project stages. Under the new guidance, entities are required to capitalize software costs when management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used as intended. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. |
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recently issued accounting pronouncements. Recent accounting pronouncements not specifically identified in our disclosures are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 3. REVENUE
We generate revenues principally from subscriptions and advertising.
Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our digital and print products (which include our news product, as well as The Athletic and our Audio, Cooking, Games and Wirecutter products), and single-copy and bulk sales of our print products. Subscription revenues are based on both the number of digital-only subscriptions and copies of the printed newspaper sold, and the rates charged to the respective customers.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Advertising revenue is primarily derived from advertisers (such as luxury goods, technology and financial companies) promoting products, services or brands on digital platforms in the form of display, audio, email and video ads; in print in the form of column-inch ads; and at live events. Advertising revenue is primarily determined by the volume (e.g., impressions or column inches), rate and mix of advertisements. Digital advertising includes revenue from display (which includes website and mobile applications), audio, email and video advertisements that are sold either directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams or, for a smaller proportion of advertising revenue, through programmatic auctions run by third-party ad exchanges. Digital advertising revenue also includes revenues generated by creative services fees. Print advertising includes revenue from column-inch ads and classified advertising, as well as preprinted advertising, also known as freestanding inserts.
Affiliate, licensing and other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in our New York headquarters building located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York (the “Company Headquarters”), and retail commerce.
Subscription; advertising; and affiliate, licensing and other revenues were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | As % of total | | March 31, 2025 | | As % of total | | | | | | | | |
| Subscription | | $ | 516,871 | | | 72.6 | % | | $ | 464,257 | | | 73.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
| Advertising | | 126,824 | | | 17.8 | % | | 108,076 | | | 17.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
Affiliate, licensing and other(1) | | 68,541 | | | 9.6 | % | | 63,577 | | | 10.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | | $ | 712,236 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 635,910 | | | 100.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
(1)Affiliate, licensing and other revenues include building rental revenue, which is not under the scope of Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Building rental revenue was $6.8 million and $6.7 million for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.
The following table summarizes digital-only and print subscription revenues, which are components of subscription revenues above, for the quarters ended March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | As % of total | | March 31, 2025 | | As % of total | | | | | | | | |
Digital-only subscription revenues(1) | | $ | 389,044 | | | 75.3 | % | | $ | 335,026 | | | 72.2 | % | | | | | | | | |
Print subscription revenues(2) | | 127,827 | | | 24.7 | % | | 129,231 | | | 27.8 | % | | | | | | | | |
| Total subscription revenues | | $ | 516,871 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 464,257 | | | 100.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
(1)Includes bundled and standalone subscriptions to our news product, as well as to The Athletic and our Audio, Cooking, Games and Wirecutter products.
(2)Includes domestic home-delivery subscriptions, which include access to our digital products. Also includes single-copy, NYT International and other subscriptions.
The following table summarizes digital and print advertising revenues, which are components of advertising revenues above, for the quarters ended March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | As % of total | | March 31, 2025 | | As % of total | | | | | | | | |
| Digital advertising revenues | | $ | 93,255 | | | 73.5 | % | | $ | 70,866 | | | 65.6 | % | | | | | | | | |
| Print advertising revenues | | 33,569 | | | 26.5 | % | | 37,210 | | | 34.4 | % | | | | | | | | |
| Total advertising revenues | | $ | 126,824 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 108,076 | | | 100.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
Performance Obligations
We have remaining performance obligations related to digital archive and other licensing and certain advertising contracts. As of March 31, 2026, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for contracts with a duration greater than one year was approximately $116 million. The Company will recognize this revenue as performance obligations are satisfied. We expect that approximately $70 million, $32 million and $14 million will be recognized in the remainder of 2026, 2027 and thereafter through 2030, respectively.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Unexpired Subscriptions
Payments for subscriptions are typically due upfront, and the revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription period. The proceeds are recorded within Unexpired subscriptions revenue in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total unexpired subscriptions as of December 31, 2025, were $207.6 million, of which approximately $130.2 million was recognized as revenues during the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
NOTE 4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The Company accounts for its marketable securities as available for sale (“AFS”). The Company recorded $0.6 million and $3.2 million of pre-tax net unrealized losses and gains, respectively, in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair market value of our AFS securities as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2026 |
| (In thousands) | | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
Short-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 225,581 | | | $ | 435 | | | $ | (37) | | | $ | 225,979 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 181,661 | | | 213 | | | (63) | | | 181,811 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total short-term AFS securities | | $ | 407,242 | | | $ | 648 | | | $ | (100) | | | $ | 407,790 | |
Long-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 279,132 | | | $ | 199 | | | $ | (654) | | | $ | 278,677 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 227,827 | | | 111 | | | (798) | | | 227,140 | |
| U.S. governmental agency securities | | 6,876 | | | — | | | (27) | | | 6,849 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total long-term AFS securities | | $ | 513,835 | | | $ | 310 | | | $ | (1,479) | | | $ | 512,666 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2025 |
| (In thousands) | | Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
Short-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 200,604 | | | $ | 660 | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 201,263 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 185,007 | | | 451 | | | (9) | | | 185,449 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total short-term AFS securities | | $ | 385,611 | | | $ | 1,111 | | | $ | (10) | | | $ | 386,712 | |
Long-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 289,530 | | | $ | 1,372 | | | $ | (3) | | | $ | 290,899 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 227,235 | | | 724 | | | (43) | | | 227,916 | |
| U.S. governmental agency securities | | 6,875 | | | 5 | | | — | | | 6,880 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total long-term AFS securities | | $ | 523,640 | | | $ | 2,101 | | | $ | (46) | | | $ | 525,695 | |
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following tables represent the AFS securities as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, that were in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2026 |
| | Less than 12 Months | | 12 Months or Greater | | Total |
| (In thousands) | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses |
| Short-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 46,227 | | | $ | (30) | | | $ | 3,950 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 50,177 | | | $ | (37) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 68,855 | | | (63) | | | — | | | — | | | 68,855 | | | (63) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total short-term AFS securities | | $ | 115,082 | | | $ | (93) | | | $ | 3,950 | | | $ | (7) | | | $ | 119,032 | | | $ | (100) | |
| Long-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 165,746 | | | $ | (654) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 165,746 | | | $ | (654) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 179,935 | | | (798) | | | — | | | — | | | 179,935 | | | (798) | |
| U.S. governmental agency securities | | 6,850 | | | (27) | | | — | | | — | | | 6,850 | | | (27) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total long-term AFS securities | | $ | 352,531 | | | $ | (1,479) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 352,531 | | | $ | (1,479) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2025 |
| | Less than 12 Months | | 12 Months or Greater | | Total |
| (In thousands) | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses |
| Short-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,936 | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 3,936 | | | $ | (1) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 10,811 | | | (9) | | | — | | | — | | | 10,811 | | | (9) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total short-term AFS securities | | $ | 10,811 | | | $ | (9) | | | $ | 3,936 | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 14,747 | | | $ | (10) | |
| Long-term AFS securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 12,598 | | | $ | (3) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,598 | | | $ | (3) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 48,445 | | | (43) | | | — | | | — | | | 48,445 | | | (43) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total long-term AFS securities | | $ | 61,043 | | | $ | (46) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 61,043 | | | $ | (46) | |
We assess our AFS securities for impairment on a quarterly basis or more often if a potential loss-triggering event occurs.
As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, we did not intend to sell, and it was not likely that we would be required to sell, these investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Unrealized losses related to these investments are primarily due to interest rate fluctuations as opposed to changes in credit quality. Therefore, as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, we have recognized no impairment losses or allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities.
As of March 31, 2026, our short-term and long-term marketable securities had remaining maturities of less than one month to 12 months, and 13 months to 27 months, respectively. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value of our marketable securities.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill as of March 31, 2026, and since December 31, 2024, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | Total(1) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2024 | | $ | 412,173 | |
Foreign currency translation(2) | | (2,961) | |
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | | 409,212 | |
Foreign currency translation(2) | | (1,424) | |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | | $ | 407,788 | |
(1)Prior periods presented have been recast to conform to the current presentation. See Note 1 for additional information.
(2)The foreign currency translation line item reflects changes in goodwill resulting from fluctuating exchange rates related to the consolidation of certain international subsidiaries.
The aggregate carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets of $222.4 million is included in Intangible assets, net, in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the gross book value and accumulated amortization of the finite-lived intangible assets were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2026 |
| (In thousands) | | Gross Book Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Book Value | | Remaining Weighted-Average Useful Life (Years) |
| Trademark | | $ | 164,034 | | | $ | (36,482) | | | $ | 127,552 | | | 16.0 |
| Existing subscriber base | | 136,500 | | | (48,375) | | | 88,125 | | | 7.9 |
| Developed technology | | 38,401 | | | (31,892) | | | 6,509 | | | 1.0 |
| Content archive | | 5,751 | | | (5,542) | | | 209 | | | 0.3 |
| Total finite-lived intangibles | | $ | 344,686 | | | $ | (122,291) | | | $ | 222,395 | | | 12.3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2025 |
| (In thousands) | | Gross Book Value | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Book Value | | Remaining Weighted-Average Useful Life (Years) |
| Trademark | | $ | 164,034 | | | $ | (34,305) | | | $ | 129,729 | | | 16.2 |
| Existing subscriber base | | 136,500 | | | (45,563) | | | 90,937 | | | 8.2 |
| Developed technology | | 38,401 | | | (30,057) | | | 8,344 | | | 1.2 |
| Content archive | | 5,751 | | | (5,385) | | | 366 | | | 0.6 |
| Total finite-lived intangibles | | $ | 344,686 | | | $ | (115,310) | | | $ | 229,376 | | | 12.4 |
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets included in Depreciation and amortization in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $7.0 million and $6.8 million for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of 2026, and each of the following fiscal years ending December 31, is presented below:
| | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | |
| Remainder of 2026 | | $ | 20,688 | |
| 2027 | | 20,525 | |
| 2028 | | 19,335 | |
| 2029 | | 19,250 | |
| 2030 | | 19,250 | |
| Thereafter | | 123,347 | |
| Total amortization expense | | $ | 222,395 | |
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS
Non-Marketable Equity Securities
Our non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies/funds without readily determinable market values. Gains and losses on non-marketable equity securities revalued, sold or impaired are recognized in Interest income and other, net, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, non-marketable equity securities included in Miscellaneous assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets had a carrying value of $24.8 million and $24.7 million, respectively. The carrying value includes $15.3 million of unrealized gains and $4.2 million of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2026.
NOTE 7. OTHER
Restricted Cash
A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025, from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 |
| Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 186,733 | | | $ | 182,597 | |
| | | | |
| Restricted cash included within miscellaneous assets | | 13,741 | | | 14,561 | |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | $ | 200,474 | | | $ | 197,158 | |
Substantially all of the amount included in restricted cash is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.
Revolving Credit Facility
On June 13, 2025, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its previous credit facility that, among other changes, increased the committed amount to $400.0 million and extended the maturity date to June 13, 2030 (as amended and restated, the “Credit Facility”). Certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at specified rates based on our utilization and consolidated leverage ratio. The Credit Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a quarterly unused commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.20%.
As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, there were no borrowings and approximately $0.4 million in outstanding letters of credit, with the remaining committed amount available. As of March 31, 2026, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility.
Generative AI Litigation Costs
In the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, the Company recorded $4.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of pre-tax litigation-related costs in connection with certain lawsuits alleging unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of the Company’s journalism and other content in connection with their development of generative artificial intelligence products (“Generative AI Litigation Costs”). See Note 14 for additional information.
College Point Land Sale
On December 9, 2020, we entered into an agreement to lease and subsequently sell approximately four acres of excess land at our printing and distribution facility in College Point, N.Y. The transaction was accounted for as a sales-type lease and, as a result, we recognized a gain at the time of the lease commencement on April 11, 2022. On February 21, 2025, we finalized the sale and received net proceeds of approximately $33 million, which were recorded in Net cash provided by operating activities – Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The transaction would be in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, based on assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels:
Level 1–quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2–inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3–unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
Assets/Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | December 31, 2025 |
| Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term AFS securities(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 225,979 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 225,979 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 201,263 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 201,263 | | | $ | — | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 181,811 | | | — | | | 181,811 | | | — | | | 185,449 | | | — | | | 185,449 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total short-term AFS securities | | $ | 407,790 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 407,790 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 386,712 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 386,712 | | | $ | — | |
Long-term AFS securities(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 278,677 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 278,677 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 290,899 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 290,899 | | | $ | — | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 227,140 | | | — | | | 227,140 | | | — | | | 227,916 | | | — | | | 227,916 | | | — | |
| U.S. governmental agency securities | | 6,849 | | | — | | | 6,849 | | | — | | | 6,880 | | | — | | | 6,880 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total long-term AFS securities | | $ | 512,666 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 512,666 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 525,695 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 525,695 | | | $ | — | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred compensation(2)(3) | | $ | 9,020 | | | $ | 9,020 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 11,740 | | | $ | 11,740 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)We classified these investments as Level 2 since the fair value is based on market observable inputs for investments with similar terms and maturities.
(2)The deferred compensation liability, included in Other liabilities—other in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, consists of deferrals under The New York Times Company Deferred Executive Compensation Plan (the “DEC”), a frozen plan that enabled certain eligible executives to elect to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis. The deferred amounts are invested at the executives’ option in various mutual funds. The fair value of deferred compensation is based on the mutual fund investments elected by the executives and on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Participation in the DEC was frozen effective December 31, 2015.
(3)The Company invests the assets associated with the deferred compensation liability in life insurance products. Our investments in life insurance products are included in Miscellaneous assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and were $40.1 million as of March 31, 2026, and $40.2 million as of December 31, 2025. The fair value of these assets is measured using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) and has not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
NOTE 9. PENSION BENEFITS
Pension
Single-Employer Plans
We maintain The New York Times Companies Pension Plan, a frozen single-employer defined benefit pension plan. The Company also jointly sponsors a defined benefit plan with The NewsGuild of New York known as the Guild-Times Adjustable Pension Plan (the “APP”) that continues to accrue active benefits.
We also have a foreign-based pension plan for certain employees (the “foreign plan”). The information for the foreign plan is combined with the information for U.S. non-qualified plans. The benefit obligation of the foreign plan is immaterial to our total benefit obligation.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The components of net periodic pension cost were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended |
| | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 |
| (In thousands) | | Qualified Plans | | Non- Qualified Plans | | All Plans | | Qualified Plans | | Non- Qualified Plans | | All Plans |
| Service cost | | $ | 1,977 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,977 | | | $ | 1,661 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,661 | |
| Interest cost | | 11,930 | | | 1,857 | | | 13,787 | | | 13,217 | | | 2,077 | | | 15,294 | |
| Expected return on plan assets | | (15,358) | | | — | | | (15,358) | | | (15,282) | | | — | | | (15,282) | |
| Amortization of actuarial loss | | 4,483 | | | 978 | | | 5,461 | | | 4,026 | | | 865 | | | 4,891 | |
| Amortization of prior service credit | | (486) | | | — | | | (486) | | | (486) | | | — | | | (486) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net periodic pension cost | | $ | 2,546 | | | $ | 2,835 | | | $ | 5,381 | | | $ | 3,136 | | | $ | 2,942 | | | $ | 6,078 | |
During the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, we made pension contributions of $3.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively, to the APP. We expect contributions made to satisfy the greater of minimum funding or collective bargaining agreement requirements to total approximately $14 million in 2026.
Multiemployer Plans
During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recorded a $4.5 million charge related to a multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment. This adjustment is recorded in Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES
The Company had income tax expense of $10.4 million and $14.4 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates were 10.6% and 22.5% for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense and effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily due to a higher tax benefit from stock-based awards that settled in the first quarter of 2026.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBBA”) was enacted into law. The OBBBA includes provisions retroactive to January 1, 2025, and, among other provisions, eliminates the requirement to capitalize and amortize domestic research and experimentation expenditures over five years and provides an election for taxpayers to deduct such expenditures in the year incurred. These changes will result in lower cash tax payments for fiscal year 2026.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) published Pillar Two Model Rules defining a global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15% in each jurisdiction in which the group operates. A number of countries have enacted legislation to implement the core elements of Pillar Two, with certain rules becoming effective on January 1, 2024. Based on the Company’s analysis, this minimum tax does not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
We compute earnings per share based upon the treasury stock method. Earnings per share is computed using both basic shares and diluted shares. The difference between basic and diluted shares is that diluted shares include the dilutive effect of the assumed vesting of outstanding securities. Our stock-settled long-term performance awards, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) could impact the diluted shares. The difference between basic and diluted shares was approximately 1.7 million and 1.1 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively, and resulted from the dilutive effect of our stock-based awards.
Securities that could potentially be dilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share when a loss from continuing operations exists or when the grant price exceeds the market value of our Class A Common Stock because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts.
There were approximately 0.3 million restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2026, because they were anti-dilutive. There were no restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2025. There were no anti-dilutive stock-settled long-term performance awards and ESPP excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 12. SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY INFORMATION
Share Repurchases
The Board of Directors approved Class A share repurchase programs in February 2023 ($250.0 million) and February 2025 ($350.0 million). The authorizations provide that shares of Class A Common Stock may be purchased from time to time as market conditions warrant, through open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means, including Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. We expect to repurchase shares to offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation program and to return capital to our stockholders. There is no expiration date with respect to these authorizations.
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, repurchases totaled approximately $56.3 million (excluding commissions and excise taxes), which fully utilized the 2023 authorization. As of March 31, 2026, approximately $293.9 million remains available and authorized for repurchases under the 2025 authorization.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI by component as of March 31, 2026:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Funded Status of Benefit Plans | | Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Available-For-Sale Securities | | Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | | $ | (4,883) | | | $ | (363,262) | | | $ | 2,339 | | | $ | (365,806) | |
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, before tax | | (1,927) | | | — | | | (3,777) | | | (5,704) | |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax | | — | | | 4,975 | | | — | | | 4,975 | |
| Income tax (benefit)/expense | | (510) | | | 1,317 | | | (1,000) | | | (193) | |
| Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax | | (1,417) | | | 3,658 | | | (2,777) | | | (536) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | | $ | (6,300) | | | $ | (359,604) | | | $ | (438) | | | $ | (366,342) | |
The following table summarizes the reclassifications from AOCI for the quarter ended March 31, 2026:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
(In thousands)
Detail about accumulated other comprehensive loss components | | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | Affects line item in the statement where net income is presented |
| Funded status of benefit plans: | | | | |
Amortization of prior service credit(1) | | $ | (486) | | | Other components of net periodic benefit costs |
Amortization of actuarial loss(1) | | 5,461 | | | Other components of net periodic benefit costs |
| | | | |
| Total reclassification, before tax | | 4,975 | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 1,317 | | | Income tax expense |
| Total reclassification, net of tax | | $ | 3,658 | | | |
(1)These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits. See Note 9 for additional information.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Stock-based Compensation Expense
Total stock-based compensation expense included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | | | |
| Cost of revenue | | $ | 4,153 | | | $ | 4,291 | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing | | 832 | | | 578 | | | | | |
| Product development | | 6,837 | | | 6,617 | | | | | |
| General and administrative | | 7,448 | | | 5,867 | | | | | |
| Total stock-based compensation expense | | $ | 19,270 | | | $ | 17,353 | | | | | |
NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company identifies a business as an operating segment if (i) it engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses; (ii) its operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (who is the Company’s CODM) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (iii) it has available discrete financial information.
In the third quarter of 2025, the Company revised its operating segments to align with how the CODM manages the business, and, as a result, the Company has determined it has one reportable segment. The segment is evaluated regularly on a consolidated basis by the Company’s CODM in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s CODM uses adjusted operating profit (loss) to allocate resources during the annual budgeting and forecasting process and to assess the Company’s performance. Adjusted operating profit is defined as operating profit before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items. Adjusted operating profit is presented below, along with a reconciliation to income before taxes. Asset information is not a measure of performance used by the Company’s CODM. Accordingly, we have not disclosed asset information.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table presents segment information with respect to the Company’s single operating segment for the first quarters ended March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025(1) | | | | |
| Revenues | | | | | | | | |
| Subscription | | $ | 516,871 | | | $ | 464,257 | | | | | |
| Advertising | | 126,824 | | | 108,076 | | | | | |
| Affiliate, licensing and other | | 68,541 | | | 63,577 | | | | | |
| Total revenues | | $ | 712,236 | | | $ | 635,910 | | | | | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | $ | 362,936 | | | $ | 334,637 | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing | | 77,263 | | | 65,959 | | | | | |
| Product development | | 70,193 | | | 66,539 | | | | | |
Adjusted general and administrative(2) | | 83,906 | | | 76,077 | | | | | |
| Total adjusted operating profit | | $ | 117,938 | | | $ | 92,698 | | | | | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | |
| Other components of net periodic benefit costs | | 3,582 | | | 4,638 | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | | | | | |
| Severance | | 1,379 | | | 2,607 | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | | 1,167 | | | 1,229 | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | | 4,397 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Interest income and other, net | | 11,283 | | | 9,972 | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | | $ | 98,318 | | | $ | 63,968 | | | | | |
(1)Prior periods presented have been recast to conform to the current presentation. See Note 1 for additional information.
(2)Excludes severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 14. CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal actions incidental to our business that are now pending against us. These actions generally assert damages claims that are greatly in excess of the amount, if any, that we would be liable to pay if we lost or settled the cases. We record a liability for legal claims when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, no amount of loss in excess of recorded amounts as of March 31, 2026, is believed to be reasonably possible.
On December 27, 2023, we filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”), OpenAI Inc. and various of its corporate affiliates (collectively, “OpenAI”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”), alleging copyright infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), related to their unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of our journalism and other content. We are seeking monetary relief, injunctive relief preventing Microsoft and OpenAI from continuing their unlawful, unfair and infringing conduct and other relief. On February 26, 2024, and March 4, 2024, respectively, OpenAI and Microsoft filed partial motions to dismiss, seeking dismissal of the unfair competition, contributory copyright infringement and DMCA claims. OpenAI also sought dismissal of a portion of the direct copyright infringement claim as being time-barred. On March 26, 2025, the court dismissed our unfair competition claim and DMCA claims, with leave to replead the latter, which we repled in part on May 28, 2025. The court permitted our other disputed claims to go forward. On April 3, 2025, the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation consolidated our case with others pending against OpenAI before our assigned judge in the SDNY. We intend to vigorously pursue all of our legal remedies in this litigation, but there is no guarantee that we will be successful in our efforts.
On December 5, 2025, we filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI, Inc. (“Perplexity”) in the SDNY, alleging copyright infringement, trademark dilution and trademark infringement, related to Perplexity’s unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of our journalism and other content. We are seeking monetary relief, injunctive relief preventing Perplexity from continuing its unlawful and infringing conduct and other relief. On February 27, 2026, Perplexity filed a partial motion to dismiss, seeking dismissal of one direct infringement claim (concerning the use of our content to create outputs), the contributory and vicarious infringement claim, and the trademark claims. In response to the motion, we filed an amended complaint on March 20, 2026. Perplexity filed a renewed partial motion to dismiss on April 17, 2026, addressing the same claims. We intend to vigorously pursue all of our legal remedies in this litigation, but there is no guarantee that we will be successful in our efforts.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
We are a global media organization focused on creating and distributing high-quality news and information that help our audience understand and engage with the world. We believe that our original, independent and high-quality reporting, storytelling, expertise and journalistic excellence set us apart from other sources and are at the heart of what makes our journalism worth paying for.
We generate revenues principally from the sale of subscriptions and advertising. Subscription revenues consist of revenues from standalone and multiproduct bundle subscriptions to our digital products and subscriptions to and single-copy and bulk sales of our print products. Advertising revenue is derived from the sale of our advertising products and services. Affiliate, licensing and other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in the New York headquarters building located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York (the “Company Headquarters”), and retail commerce. Our main operating costs are employee-related costs.
In the accompanying analysis of financial information, we present certain information derived from our consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are presenting in this report supplemental non-GAAP financial performance measures that exclude depreciation, amortization, severance, non-operating retirement costs and certain identified special items, as applicable. In addition, we present our free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures and should be read in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. For further information and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see “— Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
In the third quarter of 2025, the Company updated its internal reporting to reflect how the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker) manages the business, and, as a result, the Company has determined it has one reportable segment and one reporting unit.
Financial Highlights
•Total revenues increased 12.0% to $712.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $635.9 million in the first quarter of 2025.
•Total subscription revenues increased 11.3% to $516.9 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $464.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Digital-only subscription revenues increased 16.1% to $389.0 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $335.0 million in the first quarter of 2025. The Company added approximately 310,000 net digital-only subscribers compared with the end of 2025, bringing the total number of subscribers to 13.08 million subscribers, including approximately 12.52 million digital-only subscribers. Compared with the end of the first quarter of 2025, there was a net increase of 1,460,000 digital-only subscribers. Digital-only average revenue per user (“ARPU”) increased 2.4% year-over-year to $9.77.
•Total advertising revenues increased 17.3% to $126.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $108.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, due to an increase in digital advertising revenues of 31.6% to $93.3 million.
•Affiliate, licensing and other revenues increased 7.8% to $68.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $63.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, as a result of higher licensing revenues.
•Operating costs increased 7.7% to $621.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $577.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted operating costs, defined as operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (a non-GAAP financial measure discussed below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”), increased 9.4% to $594.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $543.2 million in the first quarter of 2025.
•Operating profit increased 54.5% to $90.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $58.6 million in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted operating profit (“AOP”), defined as operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (a non-GAAP financial measure discussed below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”), increased 27.2% to $117.9 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $92.7 million in the first quarter of 2025.
•Operating profit margin (operating profit expressed as a percentage of revenues) increased to 12.7% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 9.2% in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted operating profit margin, defined as adjusted operating profit expressed as a percentage of revenues (a non-GAAP financial measure discussed below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”), increased to 16.6% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 14.6% in the first quarter of 2025.
•Diluted earnings per share were $0.54 and $0.30 for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, defined as diluted earnings per share excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (a non-GAAP financial measure discussed below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”), were $0.61 and $0.41 for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Industry Trends, Economic Conditions, Challenges and Risks
We operate in a highly competitive environment that is subject to rapid and, at times, unpredictable change. We compete for audience, subscribers, advertisers and licensees against a wide variety of companies. Companies shaping our competitive environment include content creators, providers and distributors; news aggregators; search engines; social media platforms; streaming services; and AI companies, certain of which have attracted and any of which may further attract audiences, subscribers, advertisers and/or licensees to their platforms and away from ours. Competition among these companies is robust, and new competitors can quickly emerge and have in recent years. We have designed our strategy to navigate the challenges and take advantage of opportunities presented by this period of transformation in our industry.
We and the companies with which we do business are subject to risks and uncertainties caused by factors beyond our control, including economic weakness, instability and volatility, including the potential for a recession; expanded or retaliatory tariffs or taxes or other trade barriers; a competitive talent market; inflation; supply chain disruptions; high interest rates and interest rates volatility; and political and sociopolitical uncertainties and conflicts. These factors may result in declines and/or volatility in our results. Macroeconomic uncertainty has had in the past, and may have in the future, an adverse impact on both digital and print advertising spending. Additionally, we believe that there is marketer sensitivity to being adjacent to news or specific news topics, impacting overall advertising spend.
The newspaper industry has transitioned from being primarily print-focused to digital, resulting in secular declines in both print subscription and print advertising revenues, and we do not expect this trend to reverse. Our printing and distribution costs have been impacted as a result of this transition, and may be further impacted in the future by higher costs, including those associated with raw materials, delivery and distribution and outside printing, or if they were to become subject to expanded or retaliatory tariffs.
We actively monitor industry trends and political and economic conditions, challenges and risks to remain flexible and to optimize and evolve our business as appropriate; however, the full impact they will have on our business, operations and financial results is uncertain and will depend on numerous factors and future developments. The risks related to our business are further described in the section titled “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents our consolidated financial results:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subscription | | $ | 516,871 | | | $ | 464,257 | | | 11.3 | % | | | | | | |
| Advertising | | 126,824 | | | 108,076 | | | 17.3 | % | | | | | | |
| Affiliate, licensing and other | | 68,541 | | | 63,577 | | | 7.8 | % | | | | | | |
Total revenues | | 712,236 | | | 635,910 | | | 12.0 | % | | | | | | |
| Operating costs | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | 362,936 | | | 334,637 | | | 8.5 | % | | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing | | 77,263 | | | 65,959 | | | 17.1 | % | | | | | | |
| Product development | | 70,193 | | | 66,539 | | | 5.5 | % | | | | | | |
| General and administrative | | 86,452 | | | 79,913 | | | 8.2 | % | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | | | (3.8) | % | | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | | 4,397 | | | (4.2) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | | | * | | | | | | |
| Total operating costs | | 621,619 | | | 577,276 | | | 7.7 | % | | | | | | |
| Operating profit | | 90,617 | | | 58,634 | | | 54.5 | % | | | | | | |
| Other components of net periodic benefit costs | | (3,582) | | | (4,638) | | | (22.8) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income and other, net | | 11,283 | | | 9,972 | | | 13.1 | % | | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | | 98,318 | | | 63,968 | | | 53.7 | % | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 10,396 | | | 14,417 | | | (27.9) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 87,922 | | | $ | 49,551 | | | 77.4 | % | | | | | | |
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Revenues
Subscription Revenues
Subscription revenues consist of revenues from subscriptions to our digital and print products (which include our news product, as well as The Athletic and our Audio, Cooking, Games and Wirecutter products), and single-copy and bulk sales of our print products (which represented less than 5% of our subscription revenues in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025). Subscription revenues are based on both the number of digital-only subscriptions and copies of the printed newspaper sold, and the rates charged to the respective customers.
We offer a digital-only bundle that includes access to our digital news product (which includes our news website, NYTimes.com, and mobile application), as well as The Athletic and our Audio, Cooking, Games and Wirecutter products. Our subscriptions also include standalone digital subscriptions to each of these products.
The following table summarizes digital-only and print subscription revenues for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
Digital-only subscription revenues(1) | | $ | 389,044 | | | $ | 335,026 | | | 16.1 | % | | | | | | |
Print subscription revenues(2) | | 127,827 | | | 129,231 | | | (1.1) | % | | | | | | |
| Total subscription revenues | | $ | 516,871 | | | $ | 464,257 | | | 11.3 | % | | | | | | |
(1)Includes bundled subscriptions and standalone subscriptions to our news product, as well as The Athletic and our Audio, Cooking, Games and Wirecutter products.
(2)Includes domestic home-delivery subscriptions, which include access to our digital products. Also includes single-copy, NYT International and other subscriptions.
Subscription revenues increased $52.6 million, or 11.3%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same prior-year period, due to an increase in digital-only subscription revenues of $54.0 million, or 16.1%, partially offset by a decrease in print subscription revenues of $1.4 million, or 1.1%. Average digital-only subscribers increased 1,460,000, or 13.2%, and digital-only ARPU (as defined below) increased $0.23, or 2.4%. The year-over-year increase in digital-only ARPU was driven primarily by subscribers transitioning from promotional to higher prices and price increases on certain tenured subscribers. Print subscription revenue decreased primarily due to a lower number of average home-delivery print subscribers, reflecting secular trends, partially offset by an increase in domestic home-delivery prices.
A subscriber is defined as a user who has subscribed (and for whom a valid method of payment has been provided) for the right to access one or more of the Company’s products. Subscribers with a domestic home-delivery print subscription to The New York Times, which includes access to our digital products, are excluded from digital-only subscribers.
ARPU, a metric we calculate to track the revenue generation of our digital-only subscriber base, represents the average revenue per digital-only subscriber over a 28-day billing cycle during the applicable period.
The following table sets forth, for the five most recent fiscal quarters, (i) subscribers as of the end of the quarter and (ii) ARPU relating to digital-only subscribers for the quarter:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | December 31, 2025 | | September 30, 2025 | | June 30, 2025 | | March 31, 2025 |
Digital-only subscribers(1) | | 12,520 | | | 12,210 | | | 11,760 | | | 11,300 | | | 11,060 | |
Print subscribers(2) | | 560 | | | 570 | | | 570 | | | 580 | | | 600 | |
| Total subscribers | | 13,080 | | | 12,780 | | | 12,330 | | | 11,880 | | | 11,660 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Digital-only ARPU(3) | | $ | 9.77 | | | $ | 9.72 | | | $ | 9.79 | | | $ | 9.64 | | | $ | 9.54 | |
(1)Includes group corporate and group education subscriptions, and, as of the second quarter of 2025, subscribers related to family subscriptions. The number of group subscribers is derived using the value of the relevant contract and a discounted subscription rate. Each family subscription is priced higher than a comparable individual subscription and is counted as one billed subscriber and one additional subscriber to reflect the additional entitlements in these subscriptions.
(2)Subscribers with a domestic home-delivery or mail print subscription to The New York Times, which includes access to our digital products.
(3)Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, ARPU metrics are calculated by dividing the digital-only subscription revenues in the quarter by the average number of digital-only subscribers (calculated as the weighted average of each month's daily average subscribers) divided by the number of days in the quarter multiplied by 28 to reflect a 28-day billing cycle. This change had a de minimis impact on ARPU.
The sum of individual metrics may not always equal total amounts indicated due to rounding. Subscribers (including net subscriber additions) are rounded to the nearest ten thousand.
The Company ended the first quarter of 2026 with approximately 13.08 million subscribers to its print and digital products, including approximately 12.52 million digital-only subscribers. Compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, there was a net increase of approximately 310,000 digital-only subscribers. Compared with the end of the first quarter of 2025, there was a net increase of approximately 1,460,000 digital-only subscribers.
Print domestic home-delivery subscribers totaled approximately 560,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2026, a net decrease of approximately 10,000 subscribers compared with the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 and a net decrease of approximately 40,000 subscribers compared with the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Advertising Revenues
Advertising revenue is primarily derived from advertisers (such as luxury goods, technology and financial companies) promoting products, services or brands on digital platforms in the form of display, audio, email and video ads; in print in the form of column-inch ads; and at live events. Advertising revenue is primarily determined by the volume (e.g., impressions or column inches), rate and mix of advertisements. Digital advertising includes revenue from display (which includes website and mobile applications), audio, email and video advertisements that are sold either directly to marketers by our advertising sales teams or, for a smaller proportion of advertising revenue, through programmatic auctions run by third-party ad exchanges. Digital advertising revenue also includes revenues generated by creative services fees. Print advertising includes revenue from column-inch ads and classified advertising, as well as preprinted advertising, also known as freestanding inserts.
The following table summarizes digital and print advertising revenues for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Digital advertising revenues | | $ | 93,255 | | | $ | 70,866 | | | 31.6 | % | | | | | | |
| Print advertising revenues | | 33,569 | | | 37,210 | | | (9.8) | % | | | | | | |
| Total advertising revenues | | $ | 126,824 | | | $ | 108,076 | | | 17.3 | % | | | | | | |
Digital advertising revenues, which represented 73.5% of total advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2026, increased $22.4 million, or 31.6%, to $93.3 million compared with $70.9 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily a result of higher display revenues of $12.4 million, driven by strong marketer demand and growth in advertising supply, higher podcast revenues of $4.6 million, higher creative service fees of $2.7 million as a result of the volume of custom advertising campaigns and higher video revenues of $2.3 million. Display impressions increased 15%, while the average rate increased 5%.
Print advertising revenues, which represented 26.5% of total advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2026, decreased $3.6 million, or 9.8%, to $33.6 million compared with $37.2 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was primarily due to a 13.5% decrease in revenues from column-inch ads, partially offset by a 4.3% increase in print advertising rate.
Affiliate, Licensing and Other Revenues
Affiliate, licensing and other revenues primarily consist of revenues from licensing, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, commercial printing, the leasing of floors in our Company Headquarters, and retail commerce.
Affiliate, licensing and other revenues increased $5.0 million, or 7.8%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily a result of higher licensing revenues.
Digital affiliate, licensing and other revenues, which consist primarily of Wirecutter affiliate referral revenue and digital licensing revenues, totaled $45.2 million and $40.1 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Operating Costs
Operating costs were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | $ | 362,936 | | | $ | 334,637 | | | 8.5 | % | | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing | | 77,263 | | | 65,959 | | | 17.1 | % | | | | | | |
| Product development | | 70,193 | | | 66,539 | | | 5.5 | % | | | | | | |
| General and administrative | | 86,452 | | | 79,913 | | | 8.2 | % | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | | | (3.8) | % | | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | | 4,397 | | | (4.2) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | | | * | | | | | | |
| Total operating costs | | $ | 621,619 | | | $ | 577,276 | | | 7.7 | % | | | | | | |
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Cost of Revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Cost of revenue includes all costs related to content creation, subscriber and advertiser servicing, and print production and distribution as well as infrastructure costs related to delivering digital content, which include all cloud and cloud-related costs as well as compensation for employees that enhance and maintain that infrastructure.
Cost of revenue in the first quarter of 2026 increased $28.3 million, or 8.5%, compared with the same prior-year period. The increase was largely due to higher journalism costs of $24.6 million, higher digital content delivery costs of $2.1 million and higher subscriber servicing costs of $1.9 million. Advertising servicing and print production and distribution costs were relatively flat compared to prior year. The increase in journalism costs was largely due to higher compensation and benefits, which was driven by growth in the number of employees who work in our newsrooms, as well as higher outside services costs. The increase in digital content delivery costs was largely due to higher cloud-related costs. The increase in subscriber servicing costs was largely due to higher credit card processing fees and commissions due to an increase in subscriptions.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing includes costs related to the Company’s subscription and brand marketing efforts as well as advertising sales costs.
Sales and marketing costs in the first quarter of 2026 increased $11.3 million, or 17.1%, compared with the same prior-year period. The increase was due to higher marketing costs of $6.4 million and higher sales costs of $4.9 million. The increase in marketing costs was primarily due to higher marketing and promotion expenses. The increase in sales costs was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits largely driven by growth in the number of employees and higher incentive compensation.
Product Development
Product development includes costs associated with the Company’s investment in developing and enhancing new and existing product technology, including engineering, product development and data insights.
Product development costs in the first quarter of 2026 increased $3.7 million, or 5.5%, compared with the same prior-year period. The increase in the first quarter of 2026 was largely due to higher compensation and benefits expenses of $1.7 million driven by higher benefits costs, as well as higher outside services costs of $1.1 million.
General and Administrative Costs
General and administrative costs include general management, corporate enterprise technology, building operations, unallocated overhead, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs.
General and administrative costs in the first quarter of 2026 increased $6.5 million, or 8.2%, compared with the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits of $4.0 million driven by incentive compensation, higher outside services expenses and other miscellaneous expenses of $3.5 million, partially offset by lower severance expense of $1.2 million.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization costs in the first quarter of 2026 decreased $0.8 million, or 3.8%, compared with the same prior-year period.
Generative AI Litigation Costs
In the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, the Company recorded $4.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of pre-tax litigation-related costs in connection with certain lawsuits alleging unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of the Company’s journalism and other content in connection with the development of generative artificial intelligence products (“Generative AI Litigation Costs”). Management determined to report Generative AI Litigation Costs as a special item beginning in the first quarter of 2024 because, unlike other litigation expenses, the Generative AI Litigation Costs arise from discrete, complex and unusual proceedings and do not, in management’s view, reflect the Company’s ongoing business operational performance. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
NON-OPERATING ITEMS
Other Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding other components of net periodic benefit costs.
Income Taxes
See Note 10 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We have included in this report certain supplemental financial information derived from consolidated financial information but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have referred to the following non-GAAP financial measures in this report:
•adjusted diluted earnings per share, defined as diluted earnings per share excluding severance, non-operating retirement costs and the impact of special items;
•adjusted operating profit, defined as operating profit before depreciation, amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items, and expressed as a percentage of revenues, adjusted operating profit margin;
•adjusted operating costs, defined as operating costs before depreciation, amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items; and
•free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.
The special item in 2026 consisted of:
•$4.2 million of Generative AI Litigation Costs ($3.1 million, or $0.02 per share, after tax).
The special items in 2025 consisted of:
•$4.5 million charge ($3.3 million, or $0.02 per share, after tax) related to a multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment; and
•$4.4 million of Generative AI Litigation Costs ($3.2 million, or $0.02 per share, after tax).
We have included these non-GAAP financial measures because management reviews them on a regular basis and uses them to evaluate and manage the performance of our operations. We believe that, for the reasons outlined below, these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors as a supplement to reported diluted earnings/(loss) per share, operating profit/(loss) and operating costs. However, these measures should be evaluated only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as alternative or superior measures of GAAP results.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share provides useful information in evaluating the Company’s period-to-period performance because it eliminates items that the Company does not consider to be indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. Adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin are useful in evaluating the ongoing performance of the Company’s businesses as they exclude the significant non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization, as well as items not indicative of ongoing operating activities. Total operating costs include depreciation, amortization, severance and multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items. Total operating costs, excluding these items, provides investors with helpful supplemental information on the Company’s underlying operating costs that is used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Management considers special items, which may include impairment charges, pension settlement charges, acquisition-related costs, and beginning in 2024, Generative AI Litigation Costs, as well as other items that arise from time to time, to be outside the ordinary course of our operations. Management believes that excluding these items provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operating performance and allows more accurate comparisons of the Company’s operating results to historical performance. Management determined to report Generative AI Litigation Costs as a special item and thus exclude them beginning in 2024 because, unlike other litigation expenses, which are not excluded, the Generative AI Litigation Costs arise from discrete, complex and unusual proceedings and do not, in management’s view, reflect the Company’s ongoing business operational performance. In addition, management excludes severance costs, which may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, because it believes these costs do not necessarily reflect expected future operating costs and do not contribute to a meaningful comparison of the Company’s operating results to historical performance.
Excluded from our non-GAAP financial measures are non-operating retirement costs which are primarily tied to financial market performance including changes in market interest rates and investment performance. Management considers non-operating retirement costs to be outside the performance of the business and believes that presenting adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding non-operating retirement costs and presenting adjusted operating results excluding multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs, in addition to the Company’s GAAP diluted earnings per share and GAAP operating results, provide increased transparency and a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operating business performance.
The Company considers free cash flow, which is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, to provide useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash that is available to be used to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the Company’s business, strategic acquisitions, dividend payouts and repurchasing stock. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Free Cash Flow” below for more information and a reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities.
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are set out in the tables below.
Reconciliation of diluted earnings per share excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, severance, non-operating retirement costs and special items (or adjusted diluted earnings per share)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.54 | | | $ | 0.30 | | | 80.0 | % | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | | 0.04 | | | 0.04 | | | — | | | | | | | |
| Severance | | 0.01 | | | 0.02 | | | (50.0) | % | | | | | | |
| Non-operating retirement costs: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | | 0.01 | | | 0.01 | | | — | | | | | | | |
| Other components of net periodic benefit costs | | 0.02 | | | 0.03 | | | (33.3) | % | | | | | | |
| Special items: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 0.02 | | | 0.03 | | | (33.3) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 0.03 | | | * | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense of adjustments | | (0.03) | | | (0.04) | | | (25.0) | % | | | | | | |
Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) | | $ | 0.61 | | | $ | 0.41 | | | 48.8 | % | | | | | | |
(1)Amounts may not add due to rounding.
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (or adjusted operating profit) and of adjusted operating profit margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Operating profit | | $ | 90,617 | | $ | 58,634 | | 54.5 | % | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | 21,378 | | (3.8) | % | | | | | | |
| Severance | | 1,379 | | 2,607 | | (47.1) | % | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | | 1,167 | | 1,229 | | (5.0) | % | | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | 4,397 | | (4.2) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | 4,453 | | * | | | | | | |
| Adjusted operating profit | | $ | 117,938 | | $ | 92,698 | | 27.2 | % | | | | | | |
| Divided by: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | | $ | 712,236 | | $ | 635,910 | | 12.0 | % | | | | | | |
| Operating profit margin | | 12.7 | % | | 9.2 | % | | 350 bps | | | | | | |
| Adjusted operating profit margin | | 16.6 | % | | 14.6 | % | | 200 bps | | | | | | |
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Reconciliation of total operating costs before depreciation and amortization, severance, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs and special items (or adjusted operating costs)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | | | | | |
| Total operating costs | | $ | 621,619 | | | $ | 577,276 | | | 7.7 | % | | | | | | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 20,563 | | | 21,378 | | | (3.8) | % | | | | | | |
| Severance | | 1,379 | | | 2,607 | | | (47.1) | % | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal costs | | 1,167 | | | 1,229 | | | (5.0) | % | | | | | | |
| Generative AI Litigation Costs | | 4,212 | | | 4,397 | | | (4.2) | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multiemployer pension plan liability adjustment | | — | | | 4,453 | | | * | | | | | | |
| Adjusted operating costs | | $ | 594,298 | | | $ | 543,212 | | | 9.4 | % | | | | | | |
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We believe our cash balance and cash provided by operations, in combination with other sources of cash, will be sufficient to meet our financing needs over the next 12 months. As of March 31, 2026, we had cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities of $1.1 billion.
We have paid quarterly dividends on the Class A and Class B Common Stock each quarter since late 2013. In February 2026, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, an increase of $0.05 per share from the previous quarter, which was paid in April 2026. We currently expect to continue to pay cash dividends in the future, although changes in our dividend program will be considered by our Board of Directors in light of our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant.
The Board of Directors approved Class A share repurchase programs in February 2023 ($250.0 million) and February 2025 ($350.0 million). The authorizations provide that shares of Class A Common Stock may be purchased from time to time as market conditions warrant, through open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or other means, including Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. We expect to repurchase shares to offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation program and to return capital to our stockholders. There is no expiration date with respect to these authorizations. During the quarter ended March 31, 2026, repurchases totaled approximately $56.3 million (excluding commissions and excise taxes), which fully utilized the 2023 authorization, and we repurchased an additional $2.7 million (excluding commissions and excise taxes) between April 1, 2026, and May 1, 2026, leaving approximately $291.2 million remaining under the 2025 authorization.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBBA”) was enacted into law. The OBBBA includes provisions retroactive to January 1, 2025, and, among other provisions, eliminates the requirement to capitalize and amortize domestic research and experimentation expenditures over five years. The OBBBA also provides an election for taxpayers to accelerate the remaining amortization of domestic research and experimentation expenditures that were previously capitalized for tax purposes over a two-year period. These changes resulted in lower cash tax payments of $65 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and are expected to result in lower cash tax payments of approximately $60 million in total for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The Company does not expect the majority of these cash flow benefits to recur beyond fiscal 2026.
Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
Cash flows provided by/(used in) by category were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Quarters Ended | | For the Last Twelve Months Ended(1) |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 | | % Change |
| Operating activities | | $ | 92,236 | | | $ | 99,088 | | | (6.9) | % | | $ | 577,637 | | | $ | 456,521 | | | 26.5 | % |
| Investing activities | | $ | (22,678) | | | $ | (8,340) | | | * | | $ | (235,654) | | | $ | (248,035) | | | (5.0) | % |
| Financing activities | | $ | (139,156) | | | $ | (107,269) | | | 29.7 | % | | $ | (338,026) | | | $ | (231,300) | | | 46.1 | % |
(1)Last twelve months represents performance covering the preceding 12 months relative to the last day of the quarter.
* Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Operating Activities
Cash from operating activities is generated by cash receipts from subscriptions; advertising sales; and affiliate, licensing and other revenues. Operating cash outflows include payments for employee compensation, pension and other benefits, raw materials, marketing expenses and income taxes.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same prior-year period primarily due to nonrecurring net proceeds from the sale of land in 2025, as well as higher cash payments for incentive compensation, partially offset by higher net income in the current year.
Investing Activities
Cash from investing activities generally includes proceeds from marketable securities that have matured and the sale of assets, investments or a business. Cash used in investing activities generally includes purchases of marketable securities, payments for capital projects and acquisitions of new businesses and investments.
Net cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily related to $12.5 million in net purchases of marketable securities and capital expenditures of $10.7 million.
Financing Activities
Cash from financing activities generally includes borrowings under third-party financing arrangements, the issuance of long-term debt and funds from stock option exercises. Cash used in financing activities generally includes the repayment of amounts outstanding under third-party financing arrangements, the payment of dividends, the payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, and stock-based compensation tax withholding.
Net cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily related to share repurchases of $56.3 million, share-based compensation tax withholding payments of $52.4 million and dividend payments of $30.4 million.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures. The Company considers free cash flow to provide useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash that is available to be used to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the Company’s business, strategic acquisitions, dividend payouts and repurchasing stock. In addition, management uses free cash flow to set targets for return of capital to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the first three months of 2026 and 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 |
Net cash provided by operating activities(1) | | $ | 92,236 | | | $ | 99,088 | |
| Less: Capital expenditures | | (10,723) | | | (9,237) | |
| Free cash flow | | $ | 81,513 | | | $ | 89,851 | |
(1)Net cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2025 included net proceeds of approximately $33 million in connection with the lease and subsequent sale of approximately four acres of excess land at our printing and distribution facility in College Point, N.Y., which was finalized in February 2025.
Free cash flow in the first quarter of 2026 was $81.5 million compared with $89.9 million in 2025. Free cash flow decreased primarily due to lower cash provided by operating activities, as discussed above.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the last twelve months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Last Twelve Months Ended(1) |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2026 | | March 31, 2025 |
Net cash provided by operating activities(2)(3) | | $ | 577,637 | | | $ | 456,521 | |
| Less: Capital expenditures | | (35,470) | | | (31,986) | |
| Free cash flow | | $ | 542,167 | | | $ | 424,535 | |
(1)Last twelve months represents performance covering the preceding 12 months relative to the last day of the quarter.
(2)Net cash provided by operating activities in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2026, was impacted by lower cash tax payments as a result of the OBBBA, as discussed above.
(3)Net cash provided by operating activities in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2025, included net proceeds of approximately $33 million in connection with the sale of excess land in 2025, as discussed above.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2026, to $577.6 million compared with $456.5 million in the same prior-year period primarily due to higher net income and lower tax payments as a result of the OBBBA, as discussed above, partially offset by nonrecurring net proceeds from the sale of land in 2025. Free cash flow for the last twelve months ended March 31, 2026, was $542.2 million compared with $424.5 million in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2025. Free cash flow increased primarily due to higher cash provided by operating activities, as discussed above.
Restricted Cash
We were required to maintain $13.7 million of restricted cash as of March 31, 2026, and $15.0 million as of December 31, 2025, substantially all of which is set aside to collateralize workers’ compensation obligations.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled approximately $11 million and $8 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The cash payments related to capital expenditures totaled approximately $11 million and $9 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Revolving Credit Facility
On June 13, 2025, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its previous credit facility that, among other changes, increased the committed amount to $400.0 million and extended the maturity date to June 13, 2030 (as amended and restated, the “Credit Facility”). Certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at specified rates based on our utilization and consolidated leverage ratio. The Credit Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a quarterly unused commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.20%.
As of both March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, there were no borrowings and approximately $0.4 million in outstanding letters of credit, with the remaining committed amount available. As of March 31, 2026, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Other than as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, as of March 31, 2026, our critical accounting policies have not changed from December 31, 2025.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Terms such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “conviction,” “could,” “drive,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “optimistic,” “outlook,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would” or similar statements or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that change over time; actual results could differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: significant competition in all aspects of our business; our ability to grow the size and profitability of our audience and subscriber base; our dependence on third-party platforms for attracting, retaining and monetizing a significant portion of our users and for our ability to maintain and grow our licensing revenues; our dependence on user and other metrics that are subject to inherent challenges in measurement; numerous factors that affect our advertising revenues, including market dynamics, evolving digital advertising trends and the evolution of our strategy; the risks and challenges associated with investments we make in new and existing products and services; damage to our brand or reputation from negative perceptions or publicity or otherwise; risks associated with generative artificial intelligence technology; economic, market and political conditions or other events or conditions; risks associated with the international scope of our business and foreign operations; significant disruptions in our newsprint supply chain or newspaper printing and distribution channels or a significant increase in the costs to print and distribute our newspaper; risks associated with expectations relating to governance, environmental and social matters, and any related reporting obligations; risks associated with acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other strategic transactions; risks associated with litigation or governmental investigations; our ability to protect our intellectual property; claims against us of intellectual property infringement; our ability to improve and scale our technical and data infrastructure; security incidents and other network and information systems disruptions; our ability to comply with evolving laws and regulations with respect to privacy, data protection and consumer marketing and subscriptions practices; payment processing risk; our dependence on continued and unimpeded access to the internet and cloud-based hosting services we utilize; risks associated with attracting and maintaining a highly talented workforce; the impact of labor negotiations and collective bargaining agreements; potential limits on our operating flexibility due to the fixed nature of our employee-related and printing and distribution costs; the effects of the size and volatility of our pension plan obligations; liabilities that may result from our participation in multiemployer pension plans; our ability to meet our publicly announced guidance and/or targets; the effects of restrictions on our operations as a result of the terms of our credit facility; potential limits on our future access to capital markets and other financing options; and the concentration of control of our company due to our dual-class capital structure.
More information regarding these risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth in “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.