<PAGE> 1
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 33-28010
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 19, 1995
$100,000,000
KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
6.30% SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 15, 2005
------------------------
Interest on the Notes is payable on December 15 and June 15 of each year,
commencing June 15, 1996. The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any
time at the option of the Company at a redemption price equal to the greater of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and (ii) the sum of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon
discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined
herein) plus 10 basis points, plus in each case accrued interest thereon to the
date of redemption. The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund. The Notes
will be represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of the
nominee of The Depository Trust Company. Beneficial interests in the Global
Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through,
records maintained by The Depository Trust Company and its participants. Except
as described herein, Notes in definitive form will not be issued. The Notes will
be issued only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. See
"Description of Notes". The Notes will trade in The Depository Trust Company's
Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading
activity for the Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds. All
payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately
available funds. See "Description of Notes -- Same-Day Settlement and Payment".
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH
IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PRICE(1) DISCOUNT(2) COMPANY(1)(3)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note.................................... 99.815% 0.650% 99.165%
Total....................................... $99,815,000 $650,000 $99,165,000
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Plus accrued interest from December 15, 1995.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify Goldman, Sachs & Co. against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Before deducting estimated expenses of $100,000 payable by the Company.
------------------------
The Notes offered hereby are offered by Goldman, Sachs & Co., as specified
herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to
reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the Notes will be
ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company in New York, New York, on or about December 22, 1995,
against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is December 19, 1995.
<PAGE> 2
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES
OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to Knight-Ridder, Inc. (the "Company") from the sale of
the 6.30% Senior Notes due December 15, 2005 (the "Notes") will be used to
reduce the commercial paper borrowings incurred by the Company in October 1995
in connection with the acquisition of Lesher Communications, Inc., now known as
Contra Costa Newspapers, Inc. This commercial paper has interest rates ranging
from 5.64% to 5.75% with maturities to May 3, 1996.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered
hereby supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces the
description of the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set forth
in the accompanying Prospectus, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized
terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them
in the accompanying Prospectus or in the Indenture referred to therein.
GENERAL
The Notes are a series of Debt Securities described in the accompanying
Prospectus and will be limited to $100 million aggregate principal amount. The
Notes will mature on December 15, 2005. The Notes will be issued only in
registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.
The Notes will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus Supplement from December 15, 1995, or the most recent interest
payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable on
December 15 and June 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 1996, to persons in
whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on the next
preceding December 1st or June 1st, as applicable.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at the option of
the Company at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the
principal amount of such Notes and (ii) the sum of the present values of the
remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the
date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 10 basis points, plus in each
case accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per
annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable
Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as
a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such date of redemption.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the
time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of such Notes. "Independent Investment Banker" means a Reference
Treasury Dealer appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
S-2
<PAGE> 3
Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such business day, (A) the average
of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such date of redemption, after
excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or
(B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, the average of all such Quotations. "Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any date
of redemption, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage
of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference
Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding such date of
redemption.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) Goldman, Sachs & Co. and their
respective successors, provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to
be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary
Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary
Treasury Dealer, or (ii) another Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Trustee
after consultation with the Company.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the Notes to be redeemed.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and
after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions
thereof called for redemption.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
Upon issuance, the Notes will be represented by one of more Global Notes.
Each such Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company, as depositary (the "DTC" or "Depositary"), registered in the name
of the Depositary or a nominee thereof.
No Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Notes registered,
and no transfer of a Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the
name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Note or any nominee
of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or has ceased
to be qualified to act as such under the Exchange Act, (ii) there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes
represented by such Global Note, or (iii) the Company in its sole discretion at
any time has determined not to have all of the Notes represented by such Global
Note and has notified the Trustee thereof. All securities issued in exchange for
a Global Note or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
Depositary may direct.
The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary is a
limited-purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of
New York, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). The Depositary was created to hold securities
of its participating organizations ("Participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement transactions among its Participants in such securities
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The
Depositary's Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom
(and/or their representatives) own the Depositary. Access to the Depositary
book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the Notes will be limited to
Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. The
Depositary has advised the Company that upon the
S-3
<PAGE> 4
issuance of the Global Note representing the Notes, the Depositary will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the Participants' accounts
with the respective principal amounts of the Notes beneficially owned by such
Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Note will be
shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to interests of
Participants) and on the records of Participants (with respect to interests of
persons holding through Participants). The laws of some states may require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability of certain
persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the Global Note.
So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a
Global Note, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or Holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note
for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided herein, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have the Notes
represented by such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or
be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Notes in definitive form and
will not be considered the owners or Holders thereof under the Indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely
on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a Participant, on
the procedures of the Participant through which such person owns its interest,
to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Indenture. The Company understands
that under existing industry practices, in the event that the Company requests
any action of Holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in such a Global
Note desires to give or take any action which a Holder is entitled to give or
take under the Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the Participants
holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such
Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such Participants
to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners holding through them.
Payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes
registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of the Global Note
representing such Notes. None of the Company, the Trustee or any other agent of
the Company or agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests or for supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests. The Company expects that the
Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest in respect of a Global Note, will credit the accounts of the
Participants with payment in amounts proportionate to their respective
beneficial interests in such Global Note as shown on the records of the
Depositary. The Company also expects that payments by Participants to owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note will be governed by standing customer
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and
will be the responsibility of such Participants.
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
Settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds. All
payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately
available funds. Secondary trading in notes and debentures of corporate issuers
is generally settled in clearing-house or next-day funds. In contrast, the Notes
will trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and secondary
market trading activity in the Notes will therefore be required by the
Depositary to settle in immediately available funds. No assurances can be given
to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading
activity in the Notes.
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The provisions of Article Thirteen of the Indenture relating to defeasance
and covenant defeasance, which are described in the accompanying Prospectus,
shall apply to the Notes.
S-4
<PAGE> 5
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
and the Pricing Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell to Goldman, Sachs &
Co. ("Goldman Sachs"), and Goldman Sachs have agreed to purchase, the entire
principal amount of the Notes.
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, Goldman Sachs
are committed to take and pay for all of the Notes, if any are taken.
Goldman Sachs propose to offer the Notes in part directly to the public at
the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less a
concession of 0.40% of the principal amount of the Notes. Goldman Sachs may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed 0.25% of the
principal amount of the Notes to certain brokers and dealers. After the Notes
are released for sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms
may from time to time be varied by Goldman Sachs.
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company has been advised by Goldman Sachs that they intend to make a market
in the Notes, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making
at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the Notes.
Settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds and
all secondary trading in the Notes will settle in immediately available funds.
See "Description of Notes -- Same-Day Settlement and Payment".
The Company has agreed to indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
S-5
<PAGE> 6
KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES
------------------------
Knight-Ridder, Inc. (the "Company" or "Knight-Ridder") may offer at any
time, or from time to time, up to $140,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
debt securities consisting of debentures, notes and/or other unsecured evidences
of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") as separate series, in amounts, at
prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in
supplements to this Prospectus. The Debt Securities may be sold to underwriters,
to or through dealers, acting as principals for their own account or acting as
agents, or directly to other purchasers. These underwriters, dealers and agents
may include Goldman, Sachs & Co. or may be a group of underwriters represented
by firms including Goldman, Sachs & Co. See "Plan of Distribution".
The terms of the Debt Securities, including where applicable the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity, rate (which
may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of interest, if any, purchase
price, any terms for redemption at the option of the Company or the holder and
any terms for sinking fund payments, and the names of any underwriters or
agents, the principal amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters, the
compensation, if any, of such underwriters or agents and any other terms in
connection with the offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered, are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement ("Prospectus Supplement").
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus is December 19, 1995.
<PAGE> 7
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices located
at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of
such material can also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed
rates. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can also be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005. The Company's Common Stock is listed on such Exchange.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"). This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is hereby made
to the Registration Statement.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
1-7553) are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25,
1994.
2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
26, 1995.
3. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
25, 1995.
4. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 24, 1995.
5. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 1995 relating
to the acquisition of Lesher Communications, Inc., now known as Contra
Costa Newspapers, Inc.
6. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A#1 filed December 19, 1995
relating to historical and pro forma financial statements with respect
to the acquisition of Lesher Communications, Inc, now known as Contra
Costa Newspapers, Inc.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Debt Securities offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or in
the accompanying Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of the Prospectus has been
delivered, on the request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein). Requests for such
copies should be
2
<PAGE> 8
directed to the Corporate Secretary of Knight-Ridder, Inc., One Herald Plaza,
Miami, Florida 33132 (telephone: 305-376-3800) or to the Company, c/o
Registration Department, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10004, Attention: Donald T. Hansen (telephone: 212-902-6686).
THE COMPANY
The Company is an international information and communications company
engaged in newspaper publishing, business news and information services,
electronic retrieval services, news, graphic and photo services, cable
television and newsprint manufacturing.
The Company publishes 32 daily newspapers, including the San Jose Mercury
News, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News
and the Detroit Free Press and has daily newspaper printing plants in 28 cities
located in 16 states. On October 31, 1995, the Company consummated the
acquisition of Lesher Communications, Inc., now known as Contra Costa
Newspapers, Inc., the publisher of four daily newspapers in the Bay Area of
Northern California for approximately $360.0 million. News, advertising and
information from the Company reach more than 100 million people in more than 100
countries. Its newspapers are dedicated to serving their respective communities
with high quality and independent journalism. The Company has won 62 Pulitzer
prizes, including 12 in the past seven years.
The Company's Business Information Services Division (the "BIS Division")
offers retrieval services geared to the scientific, medical, education, media,
professional and business communities; and real-time financial news and pricing
information. The BIS Division provides real-time news and market price
information to meet the needs of those trading in commodities and futures
markets, government debt, foreign exchange and money market instruments. For the
first three quarters of 1995, the BIS Division accounted for 19.1% of the
Company's total operating revenue. In 1994, the BIS Division accounted for 19.4%
of total operating revenue. In April 1995, the Company sold the Journal of
Commerce, a component of the BIS Division, for $115 million.
TKR Cable Company, jointly owned by the Company and Tele-Communications,
Inc., operates cable television systems in New York and New Jersey, manages a
cable system in Kentucky and owns a 30% interest in TCI/TKR L.P., the holding
company for cable systems servicing 860,000 subscribers in Texas, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida and Kentucky.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at One Herald
Plaza, Miami, Florida 33132 (telephone: 305-376-3800). Unless the context
otherwise requires, the terms "Knight-Ridder" and the "Company" refer to
Knight-Ridder, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the
net proceeds from the sale of Debt Securities offered hereby will be used for
general corporate proposes, including refinancing of indebtedness, working
capital increases, capital expenditures, share repurchases and possible future
acquisitions.
3
<PAGE> 9
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected financial information has been derived from the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25,
1994, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three quarters ended
September 24, 1995, available as described under "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference", and is qualified in its entirety by and should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related information,
and other financial information set forth therein. The financial data for the
three quarters ended September 25, 1994 and the three quarters ended September
24, 1995 are derived from financial statements which include all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring accruals, which the Company considers necessary
for a fair presentation of its financial position and results of operations for
these periods. Operating results for the three quarters ended September 24, 1995
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
entire year ending December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE QUARTERS ENDED
YEAR ENDED
-------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
DEC. 30 DEC. 29 DEC. 27 DEC. 26 DEC. 25 SEPT. 25 SEPT. 24
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1994 1995
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Operating Revenue
Newspapers
Advertising...................... $1,556,932 $1,429,661 $1,444,144 $1,481,631 $1,583,373 $1,140,551 $1,196,455
Circulation...................... 403,188 439,029 460,014 474,420 484,581 362,790 363,187
Other............................ 31,981 35,127 39,932 56,772 66,968 47,192 59,192
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Newspapers................... 1,992,101 1,903,817 1,944,090 2,012,823 2,134,922 1,550,533 1,618,834
Business Information Services...... 332,628 354,361 385,439 438,525 514,039 384,493 381,214
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Operating Revenue............ $2,324,729 $2,258,178 $2,329,529 $2,451,348 $2,648,961 $1,935,026 $2,000,048
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Operating Income
Newspapers......................... $ 323,827 $ 259,584 $ 290,522 $ 298,767 $ 350,856 $ 249,374 $ 201,774
Business Information Services...... 17,216 20,199 22,069 23,405 23,110 18,962 13,399
Corporate.......................... (40,417) (36,510) (34,080) (37,315) (42,705) (32,963) (40,371)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Operating Income............. $ 300,626 $ 243,273 $ 278,511 $ 284,857 $ 331,261 $ 235,373 $ 174,802
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Income before cumulative effect of
changes in accounting principles... $ 149,045 $ 132,068 $ 146,086 $ 148,089 $ 170,900 $ 117,736 $ 136,383
Cumulative effect of changes in
accounting principles(1)........... -- -- (105,200) -- -- -- (7,320)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income........................... $ 149,045 $ 132,068 $ 40,886 $ 148,089 $ 170,900 $ 117,736 $ 129,063
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Earnings Per Common and Common
Equivalent Share
Income before cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles....................... $ 2.94 $ 2.55 $ 2.65 $ 2.68 $ 3.15 $ 2.16 $ 2.71
Cumulative effect of changes in
accounting principles(1)......... -- -- (1.91) -- -- -- (0.15)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income......................... $ 2.94 $ 2.55 $ 0.74 $ 2.68 $ 3.15 $ 2.16 $ 2.56
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(2)(3)...................... 3.4:1 2.9:1 3.9:1 4.5:1 5.2:1 4.9:1 5.2:1
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
Working Capital...................... $ 75,396 $ 34,023 $ 55,669 $ (5,180) $ 2,163 $ 3,876 $ 51,178
Total Assets......................... 2,270,459 2,332,751 2,458,059 2,431,432 2,447,189 2,432,104 2,527,928
Total Debt(3)(4)..................... 823,958 606,840 560,245 451,075 411,504 419,046 593,479
Shareholders Equity(3)(4)(5)......... 894,913 1,148,620 1,181,812 1,243,169 1,224,654 1,222,215 1,088,725
</TABLE>
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(1) For 1992, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
represents adjustments from the implementation of FAS 109 -- Accounting for
Income Taxes and FAS 106 -- Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other
Than Pensions. For the three quarters ended September 24, 1995, the
cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles represents adjustments
from the implementation of FAS 116 -- Accounting for Contributions Received
and Contributions Made.
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<PAGE> 10
(2) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings (as
adjusted to remove fixed charges and undistributed equity income from
unconsolidated subsidiaries) by fixed charges for the period. Fixed charges
include interest on debt (before capitalized interest), the interest
component of rental expense, the proportionate share of interest expense on
guaranteed debt of certain equity method investees and on debt of 50%-owned
companies.
(3) The Company incurred additional indebtedness to finance repurchases of its
Common Stock, including repurchases in market transactions of approximately
2.7 million shares at a cost of approximately $129.9 million in 1990,
approximately 750,000 shares at a cost of approximately $40.7 million in
1993, approximately 2.5 million shares at a cost of approximately $137.0
million in 1994 and approximately 5.0 million shares at a cost of
approximately $274.2 million in the first three quarters of 1995.
(4) On August 12, 1991, the Company issued 3,000,508 shares of its Common Stock
in a public offering. The net proceeds of $146,975,000 were used to reduce
commercial paper borrowings.
(5) The decline in shareholders' equity in 1994 and for the three quarters ended
September 24, 1995 resulted from the repurchases of Common Stock by the
Company referred to in note (3) above.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Offered Debt Securities (as defined below) are to be issued under an
Indenture, dated as of February 15, 1986, as supplemented by the First
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1989 (the "Indenture"), between
the Company and Chemical Bank (as successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover
Trust Company), as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the
Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular provisions or defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, such
provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.
GENERAL
The Indenture does not limit the amount of debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness which may be issued thereunder (such securities issued
under the Indenture being herein referred to as the "Debt Securities"). The
Indenture provides that Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one
or more series. The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the
Company.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular Debt Securities
offered thereby (the "Offered Debt Securities") will describe the following
terms of the Offered Debt Securities: (1) the title of the Offered Debt
Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt
Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the Offered Debt Securities will
mature; (4) the rate or rates at which the Offered Debt Securities will bear
interest, if any, and the date from which such interest will accrue; (5) the
dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Dates for
such Interest Payment Dates; (6) any mandatory or optional sinking fund or
analogous provisions or right of Holders to elect repurchase; and (7) the date,
if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Offered Debt Securities
may be redeemed at the option of the Company or repurchased at the option of the
Holders. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will
be payable, and transfers of the Offered Debt Securities will be registrable, at
the office or agency of the Company in New York, New York, which on the date
hereof is the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee located at 450 West 33rd
Street, New York, New York 10001, provided that at the option of the Company
payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register. (sec.sec. 301, 305 and
1002)
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Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Offered Debt
Securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. (sec. 302) No service
charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Offered Debt
Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (sec. 305)
Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue
Discount Securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal
amount. Special Federal income tax and other considerations applicable thereto
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
Restriction upon Mortgages. The Indenture provides that the Company will
not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary (as defined below) to, issue, assume or
guarantee any debt for money borrowed (herein referred to as "Debt") if such
Debt is secured by a Mortgage upon any Principal Property (as defined below) or
on any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined
below) (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness is now
owned or hereafter acquired) without in any such case effectively providing that
the Debt Securities of any series Outstanding which are entitled to the benefits
of such provision of the Indenture (together with, if the Company shall so
determine, any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary entitled thereto, subject to applicable priority of
payment) shall be secured equally and ratably with or prior to such Debt, except
that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) Mortgages on property,
shares of stock or indebtedness of or guaranteed by any corporation existing at
the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) Mortgages on
property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, or Mortgages on property
which secure the payment of the purchase price of such property, or Mortgages on
property which secure Debt incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing
the purchase price of such property or the construction of such property
(including improvements to existing property), which Debt is incurred or
guaranteed within 120 days after such acquisition or completion of such
construction or commencement of full operation of such property; (iii) Mortgages
securing Debt owing by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a
wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) Mortgages on property of a corporation
existing at the time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other
acquisition of the properties of a corporation or other person as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (v)
Mortgages on property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the
United States of America or any State thereof or any agency, instrumentality or
political subdivision thereof, or in favor of any other country, or any
political subdivision thereof, to secure certain payments pursuant to any
contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of
construction of the property subject to such Mortgages (including, but not
limited to, Mortgages incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial
revenue or similar financings); (vi) any extension, renewal or replacement (or
successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any
Mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (v), inclusive; (vii)
certain statutory liens or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or certain liens arising out
of governmental contracts; (viii) certain pledges, deposits or liens made or
arising under worker's compensation or similar legislation, self-insurance
arrangements or in certain other circumstances; (ix) certain liens in connection
with legal proceedings, including certain liens arising out of judgments or
awards; and (x) liens for certain taxes or assessments, landlord's liens, leases
made, or existing on property acquired, in the ordinary course of business and
liens and charges incidental to the conduct of the business, or the ownership of
the property and assets, of the Company or of a Restricted Subsidiary, which
were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money and which do not, in
the opinion of the Company, materially impair the use of such property in the
operation of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or the
value of such property for the
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purposes thereof. Notwithstanding the above, the Company and one or more
Subsidiaries may, without securing the Debt Securities, issue, assume or
guarantee secured Debt which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing
restrictions, provided that after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of
such Debt then outstanding (not including secured Debt permitted under the
foregoing exceptions) at such time does not exceed 10% of the shareholders'
equity of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the
latest fiscal year. (sec. 1007)
Restriction upon Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Sales and leaseback
transactions (except such transactions involving leases for less than three
years, leases between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between
Restricted Subsidiaries or leases of a Principal Property entered into within
120 days after the latest of the acquisition, completion of construction or
commencement of full operation of such Principal Property) by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property shall be prohibited unless (i)
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to issue, assume or
guarantee Debt secured by the property involved at least equal in amount to the
Attributable Debt (as defined below) in respect of such transaction without
equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities of any series Outstanding which
are entitled to the benefits of such provision of the Indenture, provided that
such Attributable Debt shall thereupon be deemed to be Debt subject to the
provisions of the preceding paragraph, or (ii) an amount in cash equal to such
Attributable Debt is applied to the retirement of funded Debt of the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary which Debt is not subordinated to the Debt Securities of
any series Outstanding. (sec. 1008)
Certain Definitions. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which more than
50% of the outstanding voting stock is owned by the Company or by the Company
and one or more other Subsidiaries or by one or more other Subsidiaries.
"Principal Property" means all land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and
leasehold interests and improvements in respect of the foregoing, which would be
reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding
all such tangible property located outside the United States of America and
excluding any such property which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors set
forth in a Board Resolution, is not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries
consolidated. "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary other than (i) a
Subsidiary substantially all of the physical properties of which are located, or
substantially all the operations of which are conducted, outside the United
States of America, or (ii) a Subsidiary which does not own or hold any Principal
Property and which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors set forth in a
Board Resolution, is not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries
consolidated. "Attributable Debt" means the present value (discounted at an
appropriate interest rate) of the obligation of a lessee for net rental payments
during the remaining term of any lease. (sec. 101)
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Thirteen are made
applicable to the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 of the
Indenture, the Company may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from
any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities (except for the
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to
replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of the Debt Securities and to hold
moneys for payment in trust) ("defeasance") or (B) to be released from its
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Sections 1007 and 1008 of
the Indenture (being the restrictions described under "Restriction upon
Mortgages" and "Restriction upon Sale and Leaseback Transactions", respectively)
and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an Event
of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series ("covenant
defeasance"), upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee (or other qualifying
trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations
which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities, and any
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<PAGE> 13
mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in the
Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such
opinion, in the case of defeasance under clause (A) above, must refer to and be
based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable
Federal income tax law occurring after the date of the Indenture. (Article
Thirteen)
In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to Debt
Securities of any series and the Debt Securities of such series are declared due
and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the
Event of Default described in clause (d) under "Events of Default" with respect
to Sections 1007 and 1008 of the Indenture, the amount of money and U.S.
Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay
amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of their Stated
Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of
such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of
Default. However, the Company shall remain liable for such payments.
The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the Securities
of a particular series.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to
Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any interest on any Debt
Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (b) failure to pay
principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of that series when due;
(c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any
Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform, or breach of, any other
covenant of the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the
Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Debt Securities other than that
series), continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the
Indenture; (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
(f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that
series. (sec. 501) If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. At any
time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of any
series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has
been obtained, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and
annul such acceleration. (sec. 502)
The Indenture provides that the Trustee will be under no obligation,
subject to the duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required
standard of care, to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (sec. 603) Subject to
such provisions for indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, provided that
such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or the Indenture
and will not involve the Trustee in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial
to Holders not joining therein. (sec. 512)
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<PAGE> 14
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (sec. 1009)
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification
or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may,
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected
thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal
amount of, or the premium (if any) or interest on, any Debt Security, (c) reduce
the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security payable upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d) change the place or currency of
payment of principal of, or premium (if any) or interest on, any Debt Security,
(e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to any Debt Security or (f) reduce the percentage in principal
amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose
Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver
of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults. (sec. 902)
The Holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities of
that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by the
Company with Sections 1007 and 1008 of the Indenture (being the restrictions
described under "Restriction upon Mortgages" and "Restriction upon Sale and
Leaseback Transactions", respectively). (sec. 1010) The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf
of the Holders of all Debt Securities of that series waive any past default
under the Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment
of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of
that series or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt
Security of that series affected. (sec. 513)
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
The Company, without the consent of any Holders of Outstanding Debt
Securities, may consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease its
assets substantially as an entirety to, any corporation or may acquire or lease
the assets of any person, provided that the corporation formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or which acquires or leases
the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety is organized under the
laws of any United States jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company's
obligations with respect to the Debt Securities and under the Indenture, that
after giving effect to the transaction no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have happened and be continuing, and that certain other conditions are met.
(sec. 801)
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Company maintains deposit accounts and banking and borrowing relations
with the Trustee, including the Company's revolving credit agreements, under
which the Trustee is both a lending bank and the agent for the other lending
banks. As of December 15, 1995, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under
such loan agreements. The Trustee is the issuing and paying agent for the
Company's commercial paper borrowings and serves as registrar and transfer agent
for the Company's Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 15
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
General. The Company may sell Debt Securities to or through underwriters
and also may sell Debt Securities directly to other purchasers or through
agents. Such underwriters may include one or more of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
("Goldman Sachs"), or a group of underwriters represented by firms including
Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs may also act as agents.
The distribution of the Debt Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Company also may, from
time to time, authorize dealers, acting as the Company's agents, to solicit
offers to purchase the Offered Debt Securities upon the terms and conditions set
forth in any Prospectus Supplement.
In connection with the sale of Debt Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Debt Securities for whom
they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Underwriters may sell Debt Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers
may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions
from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the
distribution of Debt Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any
discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on the
resale of Debt Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions, under the Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified,
and any such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Debt Securities.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters,
dealers and agents which participate in the distribution of Debt Securities may
be entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Act.
The Debt Securities are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. In the event that Debt Securities of a series offered hereunder
are not listed on a national securities exchange, certain broker-dealers may
make a market in the Debt Securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be
given that any broker-dealer will make a market in the Debt Securities of any
series or as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Debt Securities.
Delayed Delivery Arrangements. If so indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to Offered Debt Securities, the Company will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers
by certain institutions to purchase Debt Securities from the Company pursuant to
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with
which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by
the Company. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be
subject to the condition that the purchase of the Offered Debt Securities shall
not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to
which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not
have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such
contracts.
Goldman Sachs perform various investment banking services for the Company
and the Company sells its commercial paper to or through Goldman Sachs. John L.
Weinberg, Senior Chairman (former general partner) of The Goldman Sachs Group,
L.P. (the parent of Goldman Sachs) and former Senior Partner of Goldman Sachs,
is a director of the Company and also serves as a member of the Compensation
Committee and the Executive Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.
Certain of the other underwriters and their associates may be customers of,
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<PAGE> 16
engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in the ordinary
course of business.
VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Offered
Debt Securities, the validity of the Offered Debt Securities will be passed upon
for the Company by Hughes Hubbard & Reed, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New
York, and for the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, by Sullivan &
Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York. Sullivan & Cromwell will rely as
to all matters of Florida law upon the opinions of Hughes Hubbard & Reed and
Cristina L. Mendoza, Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Knight-Ridder, Inc. and
subsidiaries, appearing in or incorporated by reference in Knight-Ridder, Inc.'s
Annual Report (Form 10-K) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
certified public accountants, as set forth in their report included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial
statements of Lesher Communications, Inc., now known as Contra Costa Newspapers,
Inc., for the year ended December 25, 1994 appearing in or incorporated by
reference in Knight-Ridder, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K/A#1, filed on
December 19, 1995, have been audited by Blanding Boyer & Rockwell, independent
certified public accountants, as set forth in their report included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated
herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT
AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Use of Proceeds........................... S-2
Description of Notes...................... S-2
Underwriting.............................. S-5
PROSPECTUS
Available Information..................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference............................... 2
The Company............................... 3
Use of Proceeds........................... 3
Selected Financial Information............ 4
Description of Debt Securities............ 5
Plan of Distribution...................... 10
Validity of Debt Securities............... 11
Experts................................... 11
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$100,000,000
KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
6.30% SENIOR NOTES
DUE DECEMBER 15, 2005
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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
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