By: Newspaper publisher Lee Enterprises Inc. on Monday said May advertising revenue dipped 2.3 percent, weighed by a drop in retail and national ad sales.
Excluding acquisitions and divestitures, as well as revenue for its Madison Newspapers Inc. venture, the company posted total advertising revenue of $47.4 million versus $48.6 million a year ago.
Total operating revenue grew 55.8 percent to $99.8 million from $64.1 million.
Retail ad sales for the month fell 2.8 percent to $26.5 million, while national ad sales slid 14.7 percent to $1.4 million. Classified revenue fell 5.6 percent at the same time to $16.2 million due to declines in Lee's employment, automotive and real estate categories.
So far this year, advertising revenue is up 1.4 percent from the comparable period in 2005. Ad sales totaled $362.4 million year to date versus $357.3 million a year earlier.
Total operating revenue for the year to date have grown 64.7 percent to $784.1 million from $476.1 million.
Retail sales have edged up 0.7 percent to $204.3 million, while classified sales have risen 0.2 percent to $121.7 million. A 4.6 percent slip in national ad sales partially offset the gains.
Lee publishes 52 dailies, holds a joint interest in others and produces about 300 weekly newspapers and specialty publications.
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