Johnston Press PLC Trading Update (8038O)
November 10 2016 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMJPR
RNS Number : 8038O
Johnston Press PLC
10 November 2016
JOHNSTON PRESS PLC
TRADING UPDATE
Johnston Press plc ("the Group"), one of the leading local media
groups in the UK, announces its trading update for the 17 weeks to
29 October 2016.
Following the acquisition of the i newspaper in April 2016 and
its subsequent strong performance, and an improvement in trading
since Brexit, total group revenues year-on-year for the 17 week
period to 29 October, were down 5.1%. Total group revenues
year-on-year were 3.2% down in October versus 9.9% down in
H1.(1)
Circulation revenues year-on-year increased 18.8% for the 17
week period, with October up 22.5%, (versus 2.3% in H1) (2) ,
reflecting strong circulation volumes from the i newspaper
increasing 4.6% to an average of 290,000 per day in September. The
i has grown its market share from 18.5% to over 20% of the quality
newspaper segment.
Digital advertising revenues (excluding classifieds) returned to
growth of 8.4% in October, 2.8% down for the 17 week period as a
whole, (0.6% down in H1), driven by strong national digital
performance from the 1XL network and strengthening local
display.(3)
Combined print and digital advertising revenues excluding
classifieds, which were particularly affected by tough trading
conditions earlier this year, were down 6.8% for the 17 week
period, (3.5% down in October), having been down 9.2% in H1.(4)
Transactional revenues (Telesales out of the Media Sales Centre)
including BMDs, public notices and other small classifieds, were
down 4.3% for the 17 weeks, (2.8% down in October), having been
down 7.2% in H1. The classified categories of employment, property
and motors, were down 31.9% for the 17 week period, impacted by the
structural shift in the market and now represent less than 16% of
total Group revenues in October.
Audience growth remains a priority and the number of digital
unique users has grown on average from 20.3m to 23.1m per month for
September year-on-year.
Following the successful disposal of the Isle of Man titles in
August, we continue to explore opportunities for further
divestment, and will provide an update when appropriate.
We remain focused on cutting costs to mitigate revenue declines
and the impact of sterling weakness on paper prices, and assuming
no further deterioration in trading conditions, the Board expects
performance to continue in line with expectations.
Notes:
Adjusted figures include the results from the performance of the
i post acquisition April 2016 and excludes the performance of the
Isle of Man business disposed in August 2016.
1 Excluding the i, adjusted like for like revenues declined by
16.0% for the 17 week period and 14.2% in October.
2 Excluding the i, like for like circulation revenue declined
9.8% for the 17 week period, and 7.9% in October.
3 Excluding the i, like for like digital advertising revenues
were down 3.4% for the 17 week period, but grew 7.9% in
October.
4 Excluding the i, like for like combined print and digital
advertising revenues were down 11.8% in the 17 week period and 7.7%
in October.
For further information please contact:
Johnston Press
Ashley Highfield, Chief
Executive Officer 020 7612 2601
David King, Chief Financial
Officer 020 7612 2602
------------------------------ ----------------
Bell Pottinger
Dan de Belder 020 3772 2561
Henry Lerwill 020 3772 2570
------------------------------ ----------------
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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