<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED COMMISSION FILE NUMBER
MARCH 31, 1998 333-46959
--------------
LIBERTY GROUP OPERATING, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 36-4197636
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
3000 DUNDEE ROAD, NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (847) 272-2244
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS, AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS. YES X NO
--- ---
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE
--------------------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Item 1. Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 1998
and December 31, 1997....................................................... 1
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Three Months Ended March 31,1998 and March 31, 1997......................... 2
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1997 ....................... 3
Notes to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements ................................................................. 4
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations ........................................ 6
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
-----------------
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds ...................................... 10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ............................ 10
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ............................................... 11
SIGNATURE PAGE ................................................................................ 14
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
LIBERTY GROUP
OPERATING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Successor Predecessor
31-Mar-98 31-Dec-97
---------------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,203 $ 1,452
Accounts receivable, net 10,996 10,308
Inventory 2,059 1,947
Prepaid expenses 286 278
Other current assets 26 -
---------- ----------
Total current assets 20,569 13,985
Property, plant and equipment, net 27,043 20,503
Intangible assets, net 294,825 75,212
Other assets 610 -
---------- ----------
Total assets $ 343,047 $ 109,700
========== ==========
Current portion of long-term liabilities $ - $ 338
Accounts payable 1,591 1,119
Accrued charges 9,387 2,223
Deferred revenue 4,636 4,411
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 15,613 8,091
Long term debt
Senior subordinated note 180,000 -
Revolving credit facility - -
Long-term liabilities, less current portion - 706
Deferred income taxes - 1,764
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 180,000 10,561
Common stock - -
Additional paid in capital 148,503 -
Retained earnings (1,069) -
Net assets - 99,139
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 147,434 99,139
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 343,047 $ 109,700
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE> 4
LIBERTY GROUP
OPERATING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-----------------------
Successor Predecessor
1998 1997
-----------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues
Advertising $ 16,091 $ 15,358
Circulation 5,321 5,238
Job printing and other 1,574 1,884
--------- --------
Total revenues 22,986 22,480
Operating expenses
Operating costs 9,490 9,316
Selling, general and administrative 7,306 6,696
Depreciation and amortization 3,083 1,819
--------- --------
Income from operations 3,107 4,649
Interest expense (income) 4,177 (62)
--------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes (1,069) 4,711
Income taxes - 2,026
--------- --------
Net income (loss) $ (1,069) $ 2,685
========= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE> 5
LIBERTY GROUP OPERATING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------
Successor Predecessor
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ (1,069) $ 2,685
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 3,083 1,819
Changes in assets and liabilities
Working capital - net 2,022 (890)
Other assets (610)
Deferred revenue 225 83
----------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities: 3,651 3,697
----------- --------
Investing activities:
Purchase (sale) of property, plant and equipment (76) 18
Acquisition of assets from Holliger/APC (317,339) -
----------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities (317,415) 18
----------- --------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuing long term debt 172,464 -
Proceeds from issuing common stock 148,503 -
Intercompany with Hollinger/APC - (3,391)
----------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities: 320,967 (3,391)
----------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,203 324
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period - 1,768
----------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period $ 7,203 $ 2,092
=========== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
<PAGE> 6
LIBERTY GROUP OPERATING, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) THE COMPANY, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACQUISITION
Liberty Group Operating, Inc. ("Operating Company") is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. ("LGP") which was formed for
purposes of acquiring a portion of the daily and weekly newspapers owned by
American Publishing Company or its subsidiaries ("APC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Hollinger International Inc. ("Hollinger") The interim
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company"). LGP is required to file a
consolidated report with the SEC (Commission File No. 333-46957).
In the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements the
terms "Liberty Group Operating" or the "Company" when used with respect to
periods prior to January 1, 1998 refer to the combined group of newspapers sold
by APC and when used with respect to periods subsequent to January 1, 1998
refers to Liberty Group Operating, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The
combined historical financial information of the newspapers acquired from APC
prior to the acquisition on January 1, 1998 is referred to as "Predecessor"
while the consolidated financial information of the Company subsequent to the
date of the acquisition is referred to as "Successor."
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been
prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements as of
March 31, 1998 and for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 should be
read in conjunction with the December 31, 1997 audited combined financial
statements of the Company included in the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No.
333-46959).
On January 27, 1998, the Company acquired from Hollinger virtually all of the
assets and assumed certain liabilities that were used primarily in the business
of publishing, marketing and distributing certain local newspapers (the
"Acquisition"). The purchase price including fees and expenses was $317
million. The effective date of the Acquisition was January 1, 1998.
The Company has accounted for the Acquisition using the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the costs of the Acquisition have been preliminarily
allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their
respective fair values using independent valuations. Such valuations have not
been finalized by the Company and accordingly, the purchase price allocation is
preliminary. The Company anticipates the independent valuations to be
completed by the middle of 1998. The costs of certain intangible assets
acquired of $290 million are being amortized over periods ranging from 5 to 40
years. Because of the purchase price allocation, the accompanying financial
statements of Successor are not directly comparable to those of Predecessor.
The results of operations and cash flows of the Predecessor have been
consolidated with those of the Company from January 1, 1998, the effective date
upon which the Company and APC agreed as to the change of control of the
newspapers to the Company.
<PAGE> 7
(2) BORROWINGS
The Acquisition, including the payment of related fees and expenses, was
financed in part from the proceeds of $180.0 million from the issuance and sale
by the Operating Company of $180.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.375%
Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") due February 1, 2008 and the proceeds
of $148.5 million from the issuance and sale of common stock to LGP, its parent
company.
The Notes were issued by the Operating Company and are general unsecured
obligations of the Operating Company. The Notes are irrevocably and
unconditionally joint and severally guaranteed by each of the Operating
Company's existing and future subsidiaries. The Notes are redeemable for cash
at the option of the Operating Company anytime after February 1, 2003 at
stipulated redemption amounts or, in certain limited circumstances, are
partially redeemable on or prior to February 1, 2001 at a redemption amount of
109.375% of their principal amount. In the event of a change in control of the
Operating Company or LGP, the Company must offer to repurchase the Notes at
101% of their principal amount.
On January 27, 1998 the Operating Company entered into a five-year $125.0
million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The
Revolving Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the tangible and
intangible assets of the Operating Company. Borrowings under the revolving
credit facility bear interest at an annual rate, at the Company's option equal
to the Base Rate (as defined therein) or the Eurodollar Rate (as defined
therein) plus a margin that varies based upon a ratio set forth therein (the
"Applicable Margin"). For the first six months the interest rate for
borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will be no lower than the Base
Rate plus 0.75% or the Eurodollar Rate plus 2.0%. Under the terms of the
Revolving Credit Facility, the Company pays a fee equal to the Applicable
Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances (as defined therein) per annum on the
aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit. The Operating Company also
pays a fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.
(3) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LGP owns 100% of the common stock of the Operating Company. The Acquisition,
including the payment of related fees and expenses, was financed in part from
the proceeds of $148.5 million from the issuance and sale of common stock to
LGP, its parent company. There are no other classes of stock.
(4) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On January 27, 1998 the Company entered into a Management Agreement with
Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. ("Green"), the principal stockholder of LGP,
whereby Green will provide management, consulting and financial planning
services to the Company for an annual management fee of $1.0 million. Green
owns 100% of the Junior Preferred Stock and 90% of the Common Stock.
<PAGE> 8
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements of the Company, including the notes thereto which has been
summarized in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC file number
333-46959. The historical financial data of the Company for the period before
January 1, 1998 refers to the operations of the Company when it was owned by
American Publishing Company ("APC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hollinger
International, Inc. Effective January 1, 1998 the Company purchased
substantially all of assets and assumed certain liabilities that were used in
the business of publishing and distributing certain local newspapers,("the
Acquisition") Certain information in this section includes forward-looking
statements pertaining to, among other things, competition in its markets,
availability of adequate acquisition opportunities, price and availability of
newsprint, significant use of leverage, general economic conditions, and
environmental matters.
OVERVIEW
The Company is a leading U.S. publisher of local newspapers and related
publications that are the dominant source of local news and print advertising
in their markets. The Company's total revenues are derived from advertising
(69.6% of 1997 total revenues), circulation (22.6%) and job printing and other
(7.8%).
The Company's primary operating costs and expenses are comprised of
operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses, which
include, prior to the Acquisition, a management fee paid to APC that was based
upon a percentage of total revenues. Salaries and employee benefits are the
Company's largest operating costs. The Company has been able to control
salaries and employee benefit expenses by realizing efficiencies from the
implementation of new technologies and the achievement of synergies from its
strategy of clustering its newspaper operations.
Certain administrative services, including accounting, payroll,
administration, tax services and financial reporting, were historically
performed for the Company by APC. The Company was charged directly by APC for
certain of such services and also paid a management fee to APC that was based
upon a percentage of total revenues. At the end of January 1998, the
management fee to APC was replaced by a Transitional Services Agreement that
allows for certain administrative services to be provided by APC at cost until
the Company can establish capabilities to provide its administrative services
in-house.
Prior to the Acquisition, the Company operated as a business unit of APC
and as such did not file separate tax returns. The income tax provision
included in the Company's combined financial statements was computed as if the
Company were a separate company. Subsequent to the Acquisition, the Company has
been and anticipates that it will be, for the foreseeable future, in a tax loss
position. Given the uncertainty as to the timing of the Company's ability to
utilize such losses to offset future taxable income, the Company does not
presently anticipate recording any tax benefit associated with its pre-tax
losses. In addition, due to the acquisition of the Company's assets from APC,
the Company's asset values and capital structure are materially different than
those set forth in the Company's combined financial statements for periods
preceding the Acquisition and, accordingly, historical interest expense is not
indicative of the interest expense that the Company incurs as a separate
company.
<PAGE> 9
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
Total Revenues. Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1998
increased by $0.4 million, or 2.3%, to $23.0 million from $22.5 million for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997. The increase in total revenues was comprised of a
$0.7 million increase in advertising revenue and a $0.1 million increase in
circulation revenue offset by a $0.4 million decrease in job printing and other
revenue. The decrease in job printing and other revenue during the quarter
ended March 31, 1998 was primarily due to lost print work resulting from
consolidation and print clustering in the industry.
Operating Costs. Operating costs for the quarter ended March 31, 1998
were $9.5 million which was an increase of $0.2 million over the quarter ended
March 31, 1997. This increase was primarily driven by the price of newsprint
which increased an average of 7.0% compared to the prior year.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 increased by $0.6 million, to
$7.3 million from $6.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1997. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses during the quarter
ended March 31, 1998 was primarily due to increases in management costs
associated with becoming an independent company of $0.3 million and management
fees of $0.2 million paid to the controlling stockholder.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998 increased by $1.3 million, to $3.1 million from
$1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, as a result of the
Acquisition and subsequent write-up in basis of assets acquired.
EBITDA. EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 decreased by $0.3
million, to $6.2 million from $6.5 million for the quarter ended March 31,
1997. EBITDA margin decreased to 26.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 1998
from 28.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. The decrease in EBITDA and
EBITDA margin during the quarter ended March 31, 1998 was primarily due to
higher administrative expenses, offset by higher earnings at the newspaper
operations.
Net Income (Loss). The Company incurred a net loss of $1.1 million for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998, due primarily to higher depreciation and
amortization expenses, as well as increased interest expense.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows From Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating
activities for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 was equivalent to the prior
year at $3.7 million. Changes in net working capital were offset by higher
expenses associated with becoming an independent company.
Cash Flows From Investing Activities. Cash flows from investing
activities for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 reflect the acquisition of
substantially all of its tangible and intangible assets, plus associated fees
and expenses and is not comparable to the prior period. The Company's capital
expenditures consist of the purchase of machinery, equipment, furniture and
fixtures relating to its publishing operations. The Company has no material
commitments for capital expenditures, but will continue to pursue its strategy
of opportunistically purchasing local newspapers in contiguous markets and
clusters of local newspapers in new markets. The Company will only pursue
acquisitions that it believes would contribute to the Company's overall cash
flow growth.
Cash Flows From Financing Activities. Cash flows from financing
activities for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 reflect the initial
capitalization of the Company through the issuance of Senior Subordinated Notes
and the issuance of Common Stock to LGP and is not directly comparable to the
prior year. The Company is subject to certain covenants that limit its ability
to pay dividends and make other restricted payments and does not expect to pay
cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
<PAGE> 10
Liquidity. The Company's principal sources of funds will be cash provided
by operating activities and borrowings under its Revolving Credit Facility. As
of March 31, 1998, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving
Credit Facility. The Company believes that such funds will provide the Company
with sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet its current and
financial obligations for the foreseeable future. See Note 2 to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a summary of the terms of
the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Operating Company is highly leveraged and has indebtedness that is
substantial in relation to its stockholders' equity, tangible equity and cash
flow. As of March 31, 1998, the Operating Company had $180.0 million of
outstanding indebtedness, and $147.4 million of tangible equity. As of March
31, 1998, the ratio of outstanding indebtedness to total capitalization of the
Operating Company was .55 to 1. The degree to which the Operating Company is
leveraged could have important consequences, including the following: (i) for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998, a substantial portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the payment of
interest on the Notes and interest and principal on its other indebtedness,
thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other purposes; (ii)
indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility is at variable rates of
interest, which causes the Company to be vulnerable to increases in interest
rates; (iii) the Company is substantially more leveraged than certain of it
competitors, which might place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; (iv)
the Company may be hindered in its ability to adjust rapidly to changing market
conditions; (v) the Company's substantial degree of leverage could make it more
vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic condition or other
adverse events in its business; and (vi) the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or
general corporate purposes may be impaired.
Year 2000. The Company had evaluated its internal software and computer
systems and believes its costs associated with addressing, and risk of
operational disruption from internal software systems failures relating to it,
Year 2000 issues will be minimal.
Recent Acquisitions. In pursuit of its strategy of acquiring local
publications, the Company recently consummated several acquisitions. On March
3, 1998, the Company acquired the assets of the Catskill Shopper, a shopper in
Liberty, New York with a weekly unpaid circulation of approximately 41,500. On
May 1, 1998, the Company acquired the assets of the Carbondale News, a weekly
newspaper in Carbondale, Pennsylvania with a paid circulation of approximately
5,000 and the Moscow/Hamlin Villager, a weekly newspaper in Hamlin,
Pennsylvania with a paid circulation of approximately 6,000. On May 15, 1998,
the Company acquired the assets of the Kansas City Kansan, a daily newspaper in
Wynadotte County, Kansas with a paid circulation of approximately 12,500, and
the Journal-Herald, a weekly publication in Shawnee, Kansas with a total
circulation of approximately 19,000. Each of these purchases will be accounted
for using the purchase method of accounting
Safe Harbor Provision. This Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking
statements," which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology,
such as "may," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "seek," or
"continue" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable
terminology. In particular, any statements, expressed or implied, concerning
the future operating results or the ability to generate revenues, income or
cash flow are forward-looking statements. Although LGP believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there
can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been accurate.
LGP disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements or
to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements contained in this Form 10-Q to reflect future events or
developments. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by such
cautionary statements. Actual results could differ materially and adversely
from the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other things,
competition in the Company's markets, availability of attractive acquisition
opportunities, price and availability of newsprint, the Company's significant
use of leverage, general economic conditions and environmental matters.
<PAGE> 11
Part II
ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On January 27, 1998, the Operating Company issued 100% of its Common Stock
to LGP, for $148.5 million.
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders.
None
<PAGE> 12
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DATE: _______________________ LIBERTY GROUP PUBLISHING, INC.
/s/ Kenneth L. Serota
---------------------------------
Kenneth L. Serota
President and Chief Executive
Officer
/s/ Kevin O'Shea
---------------------------------
Kevin O'Shea
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer
<PAGE> 13
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits:
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ -----------
<S> <C>
1.1* Purchase Agreement, dated January 15, 1998, among Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Citicorp Securities, Inc., BT Alex. Brown and Chase
Securities, Inc.
1.2* Purchase Agreement, dated January 20, 1998, between Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation.
2.5* Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 1998,
among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Green Equity Investors II, L.P.
(as guarantor), Liberty Group Operating, Inc., Hollinger
International Inc., APAC-90 Inc., American Publishing (1991)
Inc. and APAC-95 Inc.
2.6* Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 1998,
among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Green Equity Investors II,
L.P. (as guarantor), Liberty Group Operating, Inc., Hollinger
International Inc., American Publishing Company of Illinois, APAC-90
Inc., American Publishing (1991) Inc. and APAC-95 Inc.
2.7* Amendment to Exchange Agreement, dated as of January 14, 1998,
between American Publishing Company of Illinois and Chicago Deferred
Exchange Corporation.
2.8* Amendment to Qualified Exchange Trust Agreement, dated as of
January 14, 1998, among The Chicago Trust Company, as Trustee
under Trust No. 38347501, Chicago Deferred Exchange Corporation
and American Publishing Company of Illinois.
2.9* Agreement, dated January 15, 1998, among Liberty Group Publishing,
Inc., Green Equity Investors II, L.P. (as guarantor), Liberty
Group Operating, Inc., Hollinger International Inc., American
Publishing Company of Illinois, APAC-90 Inc., American
Publishing (1991) Inc. and APAC-95 Inc.
2.10* Agreement, dated January 23, 1998, among American Publishing Company
of Illinois, Chicago Deferred Exchange Corporation and The Chicago
Trust Company.
2.11* Agreement, dated January 26, 1998, among Liberty Group Publishing,
Inc., Green Equity Investors II, L.P. (as guarantor), Liberty Group
Operating, Inc., Hollinger International Inc., American Publishing
Company of Illinois, APAC-90 Inc., American Publishing (1991) Inc.
and APAC-95 Inc.
3.1* Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc.
3.2* By-Laws of Liberty Group Publishing, Inc.
4.1* Indenture, dated as of January 27, 1998, among Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Trustee, including form of 11 5/8% Senior Discount Debentures due
2009.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 14
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ -----------
<S> <C>
4.3* Indenture, dated as of January 27, 1998, among Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Trustee, including form of 14 3/4% Senior Subordinated Debentures
due 2010.
10.2* Management Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998,
among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., Green Equity Investors II,
L.P. and Kenneth L. Serota.
10.3* Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998, between
Liberty Group Operating, Inc. and Hollinger International Inc.
10.4* Transitional Services Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998,
between American Publishing Management Services Inc. and Liberty
Group Operating, Inc.
10.5* Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998, among Liberty Group
Operating, Inc. (as borrower), Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. (as
parent guarantor), the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, Citicorp
USA, Inc. (as administrative agent and swingline lender), Citibank,
N.A. (as issuing bank), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (as documentation
agent), BT Alex. Brown Incorporated (as syndication agent), Bank of
America, NT & SA and Citicorp Securities, Inc. (as arranger).
10.6* Pledge Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998, from Liberty Group
Publishing, Inc., Liberty Group Arizona Holdings, Inc., Liberty
Group Arkansas Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group California Holdings,
Inc., Liberty Group Illinois Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group Iowa
Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group Kansas Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group
Michigan Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group Minnesota Holdings, Inc.,
Liberty Group Missouri Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group New York
Holdings, Inc., Liberty Group Pennsylvania Holdings, Inc., Liberty
Group Management Services, Inc. to the lenders under the Credit
Agreement.
10.7* Pledge Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998, from Liberty Group
Operating, Inc. to the lenders under the Credit Agreement.
10.8* Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998, among
Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named
therein, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,
Citicorp Securities, Inc. BT Alex. Brown and Chase Securities, Inc.
10.9* Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 27, 1998,
between Liberty Group Publishing, Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation.
10.10* Revolving Credit Agreement.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
* Incorporated by reference to the exhibits included in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.: 333-46957)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three months ended
March 31, 1998.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the balance sheet as
of March 31, 1998 and the statement of earnings for the three months ended March
31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 7,203
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 11,958
<ALLOWANCES> 962
<INVENTORY> 2,059
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 20,569
<PP&E> 27,542
<DEPRECIATION> (499)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 343,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,494
<BONDS> 180,000
0
0
<COMMON> 148,503
<OTHER-SE> (1,069)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 343,047
<SALES> 22,986
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</TABLE>
