Advertising linage, or volume, at The Wall Street Journal declined 14.8% (11.0% on a per issue basis) compared to a decline of 40.7% in August of last year. Quarter-to-date total linage declined 16.0%
compared to a decrease of 35.4% last year. Year-to-date total linage has declined 22.1% compared to a decrease of 34.9% last year. The declines were led by automotive, professional services and
healthcare advertising, partially offset by increases in travel and apparel advertising. Technology linage was down 2.1% in August compared to a decrease of 67.1% in August 2001, primarily due to
declines in personal computers, computer hardware and B-to-B e-commerce advertising. Financial advertising declined 22.5% in August compared to a decrease of 42.3% in August of last year, due to
softness in tombstone advertising, partially offset by increases in broker and bank advertising. Classified/Other linage was down 4.0% in August compared to a decrease of 21.0% in August 2001 on an
improved trend in other classified advertising. The company expects September 2002 total Wall Street Journal linage to decline in the mid single digits, resulting in a third quarter 2002 Journal
linage decline in the 12% range.
