Overall financial performance was flat for May, according to Gannett, but some key advertising results were down. The announcement follows Wednesday’s disappointing revenue results from Dow Jones.
Overall operating revenues for May were almost even with the same period in 2001. Newspaper advertising revenues declined 2%. Classified revenues declined 1% and employment revenues decreased 14%.
Classified real estate revenues advanced 5%, and automotive also increased 5%. USA Today advertising revenues declined 18% on a 21% decline in paid ad pages to 359 from 452. Year-to-date, USA Today
paid pages numbered 1,995 compared to 2,295 last year, while ad revenues were 10% lower. Gannett’s TV division posted stronger results. National revenues increased 15% and local revenues grew 2%.