DMGT Sees Good First Half, But Markets Still Volatile
The Daily Mail & General Trust has announced that national newspaper advertising revenues have begun to increase, although it remains too early to call a turnaround in the market.
The group’s Associated Newspapers, which houses the Daily Mail, Mail On Sunday, Evening Standard and Metro titles, saw display advertising increase by 5.4% in the five months to February 2004. This was boosted by a strong performance from the retail category in the run up to Christmas.
However, the company says that the market remains somewhat volatile. Of the other major categories, motors has seen a slight increase, but both travel and financial have suffered declines.
Display revenues at daily free-sheet Metro jumped by 29% and at the Evening Standard they were up by 8%. The Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday have seen ‘modest’ overall increases, according to Daily Mail & General Trust.
Overall classified advertising revenues were up by 1.2% to the end of February, but those of the Evening Standard are still declining year on year, with the recruitment category down by 11.0% due to lower yields in a ‘very challenging market’.
The company’s regional division, Northcliffe Newspapers, continued to perform well, with advertising revenues up 5% year on year for the five months to February 2004.
DMGT: 020 7938 6000 www.dmgt.co.uk
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