UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004 or
o Transition report pursuant to Section `13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 1-13796
Gray Television, Inc.
(404) 504-9828
Not Applicable
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 periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes þ No o
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.
INDEX
GRAY TELEVISION, INC.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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GRAY TELEVISION, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) (Unaudited)(in thousands)
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NOTE A—BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Gray’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company follows the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”). The provisions of SFAS No. 123 allow companies to either expense the estimated fair value of stock options or to continue to follow the intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, (“APB 25”), but disclose the pro forma effects on net income had the fair value of the options been expensed. The Company has elected to continue to apply APB 25 in accounting for its stock option incentive plans.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. Gray’s pro forma information follows (in thousands, except per common share data):
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NOTE A—BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Continued)
Earnings Per Share
Gray computes earnings per share in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” (“EPS”). The following table reconciles weighted average shares outstanding – basic to weighted average shares outstanding – diluted for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 presentation. Specifically, Gray has reclassified amounts relating to the (gain) loss on disposal of assets from miscellaneous income, net to a separate line item entitled “(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net” included in operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE B—PURCHASE OF FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION LICENSE
On August 18, 2004, Gray announced that it had completed the acquisition of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) television license for WCAV, Channel 19, in Charlottesville, Virginia from Charlottesville Broadcasting Corporation. Gray’s cost to acquire that FCC license was approximately $1 million.
CBS, Inc. has agreed to a ten-year affiliation agreement to allow Gray to operate WCAV as a CBS-affiliated station. The television station is the 16thCBS-affiliate operated by Gray and brings the total number of full power television stations operated by Gray to 30.
Gray also has an FCC license to operate a low power television station, WVAW, in the Charlottesville, Virginia television market. The American Broadcasting Company has agreed to an affiliation agreement expiring December 31, 2013 to allow Gray to operate WVAW as an ABC affiliate.
Both WCAW and WVAW began broadcasting in August 2004. Gray’s total cost to construct the combined broadcast facilities for both stations is currently estimated to be approximately $5.5 million. As of September 30, 2004 the majority of such construction costs had been incurred and paid.
NOTE C—LONG-TERM DEBT
As of May 28, 2004, the Company amended its existing senior credit facility to reduce the interest rate by 0.5% on its currently outstanding $375 million term loan. The amendment also extended the final term loan maturity date six months to June 30, 2011. Under the amended agreement, Gray will pay interest only until March 31, 2005. Repayments of principal by Gray will be as follows (dollars in thousands):
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NOTE C—LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
Certain loan covenants and other terms of the senior credit facility were also modified by the amendment to provide Gray with more favorable terms.
The amended interest pricing on the term loan is presented below with certain terms as defined in the loan agreement. Gray’s interest rate is based on the lender’s base rate (generally reflecting the lender’s prime rate) plus the specified margin or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus the specified margin.
As of September 30, 2004, the balance outstanding under the Company’s senior credit facility was $375.0 million and the interest rate on the balance outstanding was 3.37%. As of September 30, 2004, Gray’s Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the “9¼% Notes”) had a balance outstanding of $279.0 million excluding unamortized discount of $1.0 million.
The 9¼% Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”) by all of Gray’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantees is subordinated, to the same extent as the obligations of Gray in respect of the 9¼% Notes, to the prior payment in full of all existing and future senior debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which will include any guarantee issued by such Subsidiary Guarantors of any senior debt).
Gray is a holding company with no material independent assets or operations, other than its investment in its subsidiaries. The aggregate assets, liabilities, earnings and equity of the Subsidiary Guarantors are substantially equivalent to the assets, liabilities, earnings and equity of Gray on a consolidated basis. The Subsidiary Guarantors are, directly or indirectly, wholly owned subsidiaries of Gray and the Subsidiary Guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. All of the current and future direct and indirect subsidiaries of Gray are guarantors of the 9¼% Notes. Accordingly, separate financial statements and other disclosures of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented because Gray has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several and any subsidiaries of the parent company other than the Subsidiary Guarantors are minor. The senior credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of Gray’s existing and hereafter acquired assets except real estate.
NOTE D—RETIREMENT PLANS
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for Gray’s pension plan for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):
During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, Gray contributed $1.6 million to its pension plan. Gray does not expect to make any further contributions to its pension plan during 2004.
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NOTE E—INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company operates in three business segments: broadcasting, publishing and paging. As of September 30, 2004, the broadcasting segment operates 30 television stations located in the United States. The publishing segment operates five daily newspapers located in Georgia and Indiana. The paging operations are located in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. The following tables present certain financial information concerning Gray’s three operating segments (in thousands):
Corporate and administrative expenses as well as amortization of restricted stock are allocated to operating income based on segment net revenues
NOTE F—CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not materially affect the Company’s financial position.
The Company has an equity investment in Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. (“Tarzian”) representing shares in Tarzian which were originally held by the estate of Mary Tarzian (the “Estate”). As described more fully below, the Company’s ownership of the Tarzian shares is subject to certain litigation.
On February 12, 1999, Tarzian filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana against U.S. Trust Company of Florida Savings Bank as Personal Representative of the Estate, claiming that Tarzian had a binding and enforceable contract to purchase the Tarzian shares from the Estate. On February 3, 2003, the Court entered judgment on a jury verdict in favor of Tarzian for breach of contract and awarding Tarzian $4.0 million in damages. On June 23, 2003, the Court denied the Estate’s renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law, and alternatively, for a new trial on the issue of liability; denied Tarzian’s motion to amend the judgment to award Tarzian specific performance of the contract and title to the Tarzian shares; and granted Tarzian’s motion to amend the judgment to include pre-judgment interest on the $4.0 million damage award. The Estate has appealed the judgment and the Court’s rulings on the post-trial motions, and Tarzian has cross-appealed. The Company cannot predict when the final resolution of this litigation will occur.
On March 7, 2003, Tarzian filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Bull Run Corporation and the Company for tortuous interference with contract and conversion. The lawsuit alleges that Bull Run Corporation and Gray purchased the Tarzian shares with actual knowledge that Tarzian had a binding agreement to purchase the stock from the Estate. The lawsuit seeks damages in an amount equal to the liquidation value of the interest in Tarzian that the stock represents, which Tarzian claims to be as much as $75 million, as well as attorneys’ fees, expenses, and punitive damages. The lawsuit also seeks an order requiring the Company and Bull Run Corporation to turn over the stock certificates to Tarzian and relinquish all claims to the stock. The stock purchase agreement with the Estate would permit the Company to make a claim against the Estate in the event that title to the Tarzian Shares is ultimately awarded to Tarzian. There is no assurance that the Estate would have sufficient assets to honor any or all of such potential claims. The Company filed its answer to the lawsuit on May
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NOTE F—CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
14, 2003 denying any liability for Tarzian’s claims. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit. The Company cannot predict when the final resolution of this litigation will occur.
NOTE G—RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLE
Through a rights-sharing agreement with Host Communications, Inc. (“Host”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bull Run Corporation, Gray participates jointly with Host in the marketing, selling and broadcasting of certain collegiate sporting events and in related programming, production and other associated activities related to the University of Kentucky. Certain executive officers and significant stockholders of Gray are also executive officers and significant stockholders of Bull Run Corporation.
The agreement commenced April 1, 2000 and terminates on April 15, 2005. Gray shares with Host the profit or loss from these activities. As a result of the rights-sharing agreement, in certain circumstances, Gray can be called upon to advance payment directly to the respective collegiate institution for a portion of certain upfront rights fees. Gray is given credit for any such advance payments when determining its share of income or loss from these activities. During 2003, Gray paid $1.5 million under this provision. No similar payments have been made during 2004. As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, Gray had $1.6 million recorded as a related party receivable for payments made in 2003 and earlier years. As of December 31, 2003, the related party receivable was classified as other than current; however, it is classified as current as of September 30, 2004.
NOTE H—COMMITMENT
On October 12, 2004, the University of Kentucky jointly awarded a new sports marketing agreement to Gray and Host. The new agreement will commence on April 16, 2005 and has an initial term of seven years with the option to extend the license for three additional years. Aggregate license fees to be paid to the University of Kentucky over a full ten year term for the agreement will approximate $80.5 million. Gray and Host will share equally the cost of the license fees.
NOTE I—SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On October 21, 2004, Gray announced that it had signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of KKCO-TV from Eagle III Broadcasting, LLC for approximately $13.5 million plus fees. KKCO-TV, Channel 11 serves the Grand Junction, Colorado television market and is an NBC affiliate. Gray currently plans to use a portion of its cash on hand to fully fund this acquisition. The acquisition of KKCO-TV is currently expected to close during the first quarter of 2005. The KKCO-TV acquisition is subject to FCC approval.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations
Introduction
The following analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Gray Television, Inc. (“the Company” or “Gray”) should be read in conjunction with Gray’s financial statements contained in this report and in Gray’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Cyclicality
Broadcast advertising revenues are generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year, due in part to increases in consumer spending in the spring and the holiday season. In addition, broadcast advertising revenues are generally higher during even numbered election years due to spending by political candidates and other political advocacy groups, which spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.
Broadcasting, Publishing and Paging Revenues
Set forth below are the principal types of revenues earned by Gray’s broadcasting, publishing and paging operations for the periods indicated and the percentage contribution of each to Gray’s total revenues (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
Revenues. Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004 increased 18% to $86.9 million as compared to the same period of the prior year.
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Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 6% to $57.3 million as compared to the same period of the prior year.
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Miscellaneous income, net. Increase in miscellaneous income is due primarily to an increase in interest income of $135,000 generated by a larger cash balance in the current period.
Interest expense. Interest expense was consistent with that of the prior year. This consistency was due to the debt principal amount and interest rates being similar to that of the prior year.
Federal and state income tax expense. An income tax expense of $7.6 million was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to an income tax expense of $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The increased expense in the current year as compared to that of the prior year was attributable to having increased income in the current period as compared to the prior period. The effective income tax rate was approximately 39% for the current year and prior year periods.
Preferred dividends. Preferred dividends decreased due to a redemption of 36 shares of preferred stock in the current year.
Net income available to common stockholders. Net income available to common stockholders of the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 was $11.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
Revenues. Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased 14% to $246.0 million as compared to the same period of the prior year.
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Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 3% to $166.7 million as compared to the same period of the prior year.
Miscellaneous income, net. Increase in miscellaneous income is due primarily to the receipt of approximately $170,000 in interest related to an income tax refund and additional interest income of $295,000 due to higher cash balances.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $1.3 million to $31.4 million. This decrease was due to lower average interest rates and a lower average principal balance on the Company’s senior credit facility.
Federal and state income tax expense. An income tax expense of $19.0 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to an income tax expense of $8.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The increased expense in the current year as compared to that of the prior year was attributable to having increased income in the current period as compared to the prior period. The effective income tax rate was 39.3% and 38.6% for the current year and prior year periods, respectively.
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Net income available to common stockholders. Net income available to common stockholders of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 was $27.0 million and $10.3 million, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
The following tables present certain data that Gray believes is helpful in evaluating its liquidity and capital resources (in thousands).
Gray and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return and such state or local tax returns as are required. Although Gray expects to earn taxable operating income for the foreseeable future, it anticipates that through the use of its available loss carryforwards it will not pay significant amounts of federal or state income taxes in the next several years.
Management believes that current cash balances, cash flows from operations and available funds under its senior credit facility will be adequate to provide for Gray’s capital expenditures, debt service, cash dividends and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
Management does not believe that inflation in past years has had a significant impact on Gray’s results of operations nor is inflation expected to have a significant effect upon our business in the near future.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $30.8 million. The increase was due primarily to an increase in net income, deferred income taxes and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $2.7 million. The increase was due primarily to increase in purchase of property and equipment, partially offset by lower payments on acquisition related liabilities.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $19.6 million. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in the amount used to purchase common stock in the current year as compared to that used to purchase common stock and warrants in the prior year. As of September 30, 2004, Gray had purchased 65,000 shares of its class A common stock for $711,755, 246,000 shares of its common stock for $3.0 million and 36 shares of its preferred stock for $360,000.
Digital Television Conversion
The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) required that all commercial stations begin broadcasting a digital signal. As of October 29, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the FCC’s digital broadcasting
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requirements at all of its stations.
The Company paid approximately $1.6 million and $9.7 million for digital transmission equipment capital expenditures for the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2004, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company anticipates cash payments for total capital expenditures to be $6.5 million and of this amount $2.8 million are related to the digital conversion project.
Debt
As of May 28, 2004, Gray amended its existing senior credit facility to reduce the interest rate by 0.5% on its currently outstanding $375 million term loan. The amendment also extended the final term loan maturity date six months to June 30, 2011. Under the amended agreement, Gray will pay interest only until March 31, 2005. Repayments of principal by Gray will be as follows (dollars in thousands):
The amended interest pricing on the term loan is presented below with certain terms as defined in the loan agreement. Gray’s interest rate is based on the lender’s base rate (generally reflecting the lenders prime rate) plus the specified margin or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus the specified margin.
As of September 30, 2004, the balance outstanding and the balance available under Gray’s senior credit facility were $375.0 million and $72.2 million, respectively, and the interest rate on the balance outstanding was 3.37%. As of September 30, 2004, the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the “9¼% Notes”) had a balance outstanding of $279.0 million excluding unamortized discount of $1.0 million. Gray makes semiannual interest payments on the 9¼% Notes of $12.95 million on June 15th and December 15th. Interest payments on the senior credit facility are made on varying dates throughout the year.
Related Party Receivable
The agreement commenced April 1, 2000 and terminates on April 15, 2005. Gray shares with Host the profit or loss from these activities. As a result of the rights-sharing agreement, in certain circumstances, Gray can be called upon to advance payment directly to the respective collegiate institution for a portion of certain upfront rights fees. Gray is given credit for any such advance payments when determining its share of income or loss from these activities. During 2003, Gray paid $1.5 million under this provision. No similar payments have been made in 2004. As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, Gray had $1.6 million recorded as a related party receivable for payments made in 2003 and earlier years. As of December 31, 2003, the related party receivable was classified as other than current; however, it is classified as current as of September 30, 2004.
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Commitment
Other
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make judgments and estimations that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Gray considers its accounting policies relating to intangible assets and income taxes to be critical policies that require judgments or estimations in their application where variances in those judgments or estimations could make a significant difference to future reported results. These critical accounting policies and estimates are more fully disclosed in Gray’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements.” When used in this report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “should”, “estimates” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements, but some of those statements may use other phrasing. Statements that describe Gray’s future strategic plans, goals or objectives are also forward-looking statements. Readers of this report are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including those regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Gray or management, are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, (i) general economic conditions in the markets in which Gray operates, (ii) competitive pressures in the markets in which Gray operates, (iii) the effect of future legislation or regulatory changes on Gray’s operations and (iv) certain other risks relating to our business, including, our dependence on advertising revenues, our need to acquire non-network television programming, the impact of a loss of any of our FCC broadcast licenses, increased competition and capital costs relating to digital advanced television, pending litigation and our significant level of intangible assets, (v) our high debt levels, and (vi) other factors described from time to time in our SEC filings. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. Gray disclaims any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Gray believes that the market risk of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2004 has not materially changed since December 31, 2003. The market risk profile on December 31, 2003 is disclosed in Gray’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that Gray’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Gray in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to Gray’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. There were no changes in Gray’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with this evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information contained in Note F — Contingencies of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following tables provide information about Gray’s repurchase of its common stock (ticker: GTN) and its class A common stock (ticker: GTN.A) during the quarter ended September 30, 2004.
Issuer Purchases of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
(1) On March 3, 2004, Gray’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of Gray’s common stock or class A common stock. As of September 30, 2004, Gray could purchase 1,689,000 shares of either Gray common stock or Gray class A common stock under this authority. There is no expiration date for this repurchase plan.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13 (a) – 14(a) Certificate of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13 (a) – 14(a) Certificate of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
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