British newspaper publisher Daily Mail & General Trust today predicted a satisfactory half-year performance as circulation declines for its national titles were not as steep as they were for the competition.
The publisher of the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard newspapers said that for the year the group's businesses remain 'in good shape', with growth expected from both existing operations and acquisitions.
The group owns Ireland on Sunday here.
Display advertising has increased 6.5% for the five months to February 2005, with strength in retail and travel and weakness in finance and motors. Classified ad revenue was up 14% to the end of February but down 2% on a comparable basis, the publisher said.
Its flagship national tabloid Daily Mail newspaper saw six-month circulation decline 2.1% in the six months to February 2005 against a market decline of 3.2%. Advertising revenues were up 2.6%.
Circulation at the Evening Standard fell 10% year-on-year, but when adding in copies of its free Lite edition launched in December, the combined editions were up 4% for the last two months.
The Evening Standard faces an end to its exclusive distribution deal in London Underground stations, opening the possibility of a new threat from rival Express Newspapers, which has long considered launching a free afternoon paper.
The company said its regional newspapers posted a 3.8% gain in ad revenues on a like-for-like basis, with circulation revenues 3.8% ahead of the same time last year.
