Sharewatch: Future Network Boosted By Expansion Plans
Consumer magazine publisher Future Network was seen in focus yesterday with shares rising by 0.88% to close at 56˝p after revealing plans to launch at least nine new magazines over the next twelve months as part of a vigorous expansion programme.
The company said that it hopes to launch two new US magazines in 2005, Future Snowboard, which will be aimed at action sports enthusiasts and Future Music, which has been a success in the UK since 1992. It claims this will help boost group revenues in 2005 (see Future To Launch Raft Of Titles Over Next Year).
Meanwhile, BSkyB rose by a solid 3.71% to finish at 510p after company chairman, Rupert Murdoch, said that he expected the digital satellite group to deliver strong profits, despite the slowdown in subscription figures and the growing threat from Freeview (see Murdoch Predicts Strong Profit Growth For BSkyB).
Outdoor contractor Maiden continued to see shares slide yesterday, despite further strengthening its rail advertising business earlier this with two new account wins with the Go Ahead Group’s New Southern Railway and Thameslink subsidiaries. The company dipped by 0.65% to finish at 230p (see Maiden Expand Rail Business With New Account Wins).
The closing prices of media company shares on Thursday were:
