Gannett Reports Lackluster January

Gannett reported that pro forma newspaper advertising revenue in January slipped 0.6% compared with the same period a year ago. Run of Press (ROP) volume declined 1.3% and preprint distribution was up 2.6%.

Local advertising revenue was up about 1% on a slight decline in ROP ad volume. The company's small and medium-sized advertisers in its domestic newspapers outpaced the revenue performance of its largest advertisers in January. In the U.S., local ad revenue gains were made in the consumer electronics, financial, and home improvement categories. The department store, furniture, entertainment, and telecommunications categories were down.

Classified revenue dropped 2.3% on a 2.1% decline in ROP ad volume. Within the category, real estate rose 6.8%, employment decreased 4%, and automotive dropped 15.5%. Overall, Gannett's domestic classified results were better than its UK results. In the U.S., pro forma classified revenue grew 3.6%. Real estate was up 12.6%, employment was up 6.1%, and auto was down 11%.

National advertising revenue inched up 0.5% on a 0.6% increase in ad volume. National volume at the company's local domestic newspapers was 2.3% higher in January. At USA Today, ad revenue slipped 2.5% on a 10.4% decline in paid ad pages to 328 from 366. The technology and telecommunications categories were strong while the entertainment, auto, travel, and financial categories were weak.