GANNETT EARNINGS RISE ON ADVERTISING DEMAND

By: Monday, July 10, 2000 Analysts' Second-quarter Expectations Met





Gannett Co. Inc., the nation's biggest newspaper publisher, reported second-

quarter earnings rose on strong advertising demand, meeting analysts'
expectations.



Gannett, which agreed to buy Central Newspapers Inc. for $2.6 billion and 21
daily newspapers from Thomson Corp. for $1.125 billion, reported earnings
per share from continuing operations rose 5.3% to $1, matching a consensus
estimate of 14 analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial.



The publisher of USA Today and 73 smaller dailies, Gannett reported
revenue in the second quarter rose 16.4% to $1.49 billion.



Pro forma newspaper ad revenue grew 5% in the second quarter, including a
9% gain in national, 4% increase in classified, and 2% rise in local. At
USA Today, paid ad pages increased 11% to 1,833 in the quarter as ad
revenue grew 12%.





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