31st Jul 2006 16:16
Independent News & Media PLC31 July 2006 INM'S INDIAN ASSOCIATE LIFTS Q1 PROFIT AFTER TAX BY 433% New Delhi/ Dublin 31st July 2006: Jagran Prakashan Limited ('JPL'), in whichIndependent News & Media PLC ('INM') (ticker: INWS/I/ INWS.L) holds a 21%strategic shareholding, announced a record Profit After Tax for its FirstQuarter (ended 30 June 2006). Jagran Prakashan Limited (ticker: JAGP.BO), publisher of 'Dainik Jagran' -India's largest read and largest selling daily newspaper - reported Net Revenuesfrom operations of Rs 1.37 billion (c. €24 million), an increase of 20% over thesame quarter of last year. Q1 Profit After Tax of Rs 229 million (c. €4 million)was up 433%, with operating margins growing year-on-year to 25%. The EPS for thequarter was Rs 4.56, versus Rs 1.13 in the corresponding quarter. The strong increase in revenues reflects better advertising revenues and highercirculation sales, producing better per copy realisation, up 14% year-on-year.Advertising revenues increased by 21.47%, driven by good rate increases andvolume increases in local, retail and color advertising. During the First Quarter, JPL also successfully established its new "out ofhome" (OOH) outdoor advertising division, with additional infrastructure growingto 11 offices and 40 people, to cater to the growing pan-India outdoorclientele. During the Quarter, this division has invested significantly inacquiring sites/ properties on short/ medium term leases, and these sites shouldgenerate revenues from this current quarter. In the first quarter, this newdivision recorded modest revenues, but secured an impressive client listincluding TVS, Apollo, REL, Titan, Microsoft, Cafe Coffee Day, Ansals, ABN Amro,and Aircel. 30th July 2006 For reference: Gavin O'Reilly, Group Chief Operating Officer Donal Buggy, Group Chief Financial Officer Independent News & Media PLC +353.1.466.3200 Pat Walsh Murray Consultants (Dublin) +353.87.226.9345 Rory Godson Powerscourt Media (London) +44.20.7236.5619 Declan Kelly/Paul Keary Financial Dynamics (New York) +1.212.850.5600 Mark Kenny/Jonathan Neilan K Capital Source (Dublin) +353.1.631.5500 ABOUT INDEPENDENT NEWS & MEDIA PLC ('INM') - CORPORATE PROFILE - INM is a leading international newspaper and communications group, with its maininterests in Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UnitedKingdom. Spanning four continents and 21 individual countries, INM hasmarket-leading newspaper positions in Australia (regional), India (regional),Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, it publishes theflagship national title, The Independent, as well as being the largest newspapergroup in Northern Ireland. Across these regions, the Group publishes over 175 newspaper and magazine titles- including the world's largest read newspaper, Dainik Jagran, in India -delivering a combined weekly circulation of over 31 million copies with a weeklyaudience of over 100 million consumers. The Group's titles are also wellrepresented online with over 70 editorial and classified sites. INM is thelargest radio (with 128 stations and an audience exceeding 5 million people (10+years)) and outdoor advertising operator in Australasia and also has leadingoutdoor advertising positions in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and acrossAfrica. The Group has grown consistently over the last 15 years by building ageographically unique and diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, and todaymanages gross assets of €4.0 billion, revenue of €1.8 billion and employsapproximately 10,400 people worldwide. Further information is available on ourGroup website www.inmplc.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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