01.11.04

Independent saw last week’s largest rise, climbing by 3.59% to close at 158žp on Friday, as news of tabloids and compact editions dominated headlines.

Amongst the week’s news was the reveleation of a research partnership between The Independent and The Times, designed to investigate the advantages of small-form newspapers and boost advertiser confidence (see Times And Independent Join For Tabloid Research Project). The Times also surprised many by dropping publication of its broadsheet edition from Monday to Saturday, leaving only the Sunday Times printing as a broadsheet (see Times Confirms Tabloid Only Publication From Monday).

Elsewhere, advertising heavyweight WPP saw a strong performance in week on week analysis, adding 2.05% to close at 645˝p on Friday following last week’s announcement of revenues topping £1.06 billion. The results mark the first time the company has broken through the billion-pound barrier in a three-month period (see WPP Revenues Exceed Expectations And £1bn Barrier).

ITV also performed well, adding 2.15% in the run up to today’s launch of ITV3, the broadcaster’s newest digital channel designed to attract a more discerning older audience. Last week ITV unveiled the branding to be used by the new channel, as well as revealing a solus advertising deal with Unilever for the station’s first commercial break (see ITV Secures First Advertiser For New Digital Channel).

The closing prices of media company shares on Friday were: