Media group's non-newspaper profits grow

Media group Daily Mail & General Trust said today it made more than half of its profits from non-newspaper business in the first half of its financial year.

The Daily Mail and Evening Standard publisher said business-to-business (B2B) titles and financial information services accounted for 52% of operating profits in the six months to April 1, up from 44% previously.

The company has sought to boost its B2B operations and online presence to counter a tougher market for newspaper advertising among its national titles and Northcliffe regional business.

Chairman Lord Rothermere said: “We are continuing to invest heavily in our business information and online activities.”

The company posted underlying pre-tax profits 24% higher at £135.3m (€199.9m).