Gannett Co., Inc. ("Gannett", "we", "us", "our", or the "Company") (NYSE:GCI) announced today it has prepaid approximately $57.5 million on its five-year first lien term loan facility (the "2029 Term Loan Facility"). As a result of this prepayment, the Company has reduced its first lien debt from $850.0 million to $792.5 million during the first quarter of 2025.
The debt repayment was funded with the proceeds from the sale of the Austin-American Statesmen that was completed on February 28, 2025, as well as cash on hand.
"As part of our long-term strategy, debt repayment remains a high priority, and we continue to make measurable progress, while also maintaining a healthy balance sheet and a strong liquidity position," said Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe we are well positioned to further improve our capital structure in 2025, and as a result, we expect to repay well over $100 million of debt through asset sales and continued free cash flow growth. We believe our recent debt repayment, combined with our expected full year growth in Adjusted EBITDA, positions us well to achieve a first lien net leverage approaching 2.0x by the end of the year."
About Gannett
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.
Our website address is www.gannett.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution for important company information, including press releases and other news and presentations, which is accessible on the Investor Relations and News and Events subpages of our website.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our expectations, in terms of both amount and timing, with respect to debt repayment, the terms of our debt repayment, our capital structure, our capital allocation, our free cash flow, Adjusted EBITDA, our first lien net leverage, non-strategic asset sales, our strategy, and our ability to achieve our operating priorities. The Company makes no guarantees or assurances that sales of any of the real estate or other asset sales in negotiation will close. Words such as "expect(s)", "continue(s)", "believe(s)", "will", "remain(s)", and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. The Company can give no assurance its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements, see the risks and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
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