UK Press Advertising Is ‘Volatile And Unpredictable’, Says DMGT
National press display advertising in the UK is ‘volatile and unpredictable’, according to the Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT). The group says that revenue in this sector will be pretty much flat in the second half, resulting in a full year decline of around 9%.
Circulations of the Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday papers have held up well, despite cover price cuts by national rivals, the group says. August sales for the daily title were the highest since records began. Both titles have been successful in raising advertising yields.
The Evening Standard‘s classified advertising remains weak, with the key recruitment category currently running about 25% down year-on-year. Metro is making good progress and expects to record a small profit for the last quarter of the financial year.
Advertising revenues at DMGT’s regional paper group, Northcliffe Newspapers, are volatile, but overall continue to be around 1% up year-on-year. Recruitment advertising will be around 3% down year-on-year, with the other major categories all showing modest increases.
Shares in DMGT were down 2p at 496½p by 10:30 this morning.
