Sharewatch: DMGT In Focus As Telegraph Deadline Looms

Daily Mail & General Trust was seen in focus last week with shares rising by 2.53% following reports that it had taken the lead in the race to seize control of the Telegraph titles with a seemingly unbeatable cash bid approaching £700 million (see Lord Rothermere Tables Knock-Out £700 Million Telegraph Bid).

Independent News & Media was also in the spotlight with stock climbing 4.52% higher to close at 648p amid news that the company’s executive, Ivan Fallon, saw his pay more than double last year.

Meanwhile, SMG suffered a slight 0.45% loss in week on week analysis despite the revelation from outgoing chairman, Don Cruickshank, that he expects to see increases in revenue across all of its main media interests over the coming year (see Outgoing SMG Chairman Predicts Positive Year).

The broader market received a boost last week after WPP chief executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, sounded an uncharacteristically optimistic note on the prospect of a global advertising recovery when he unveiled the company’s annual report n (see Sorrell Positive On Global Advertising Recovery).

The closing prices of media company shares on Friday were:

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