DMGT revenues down but advertising gaining strength

Daily Mail & General Trust revenues fell 13% in the five months to the end of February 2010, according to results released today.

On an underlying basis, said DMGT, total revenues were down just 5%, with margins and operating profits continuing to improve.

Although its national newspaper arm Associated Newspapers – publisher of the Daily Mail – saw its total underlying advertising revenues for the period fall 2%, they have risen by 8% for the quarter to March so far, with display ad revenue up 13% and AN Digital revenues up 3%.

Underlying UK revenues at Northcliffe Media, DMGT’s regional arm, were down 9% year on year for the period, with advertising revenues down 10%. However, for the quarter to March so far ad revenues have fallen 5%, with recruitment revenues 14% lower, although property revenues are up 4% on last year. Circulation revenues are down fell by 7% year on year for the five month period.

DMGT said in a statement: “Results for the first half of the year are expected to show a significant increase on last year’s first half year largely due to the improvement in the profitability of the consumer businesses.”