In a press release issued with its latest trading statement, the company, publisher of the New York Times, said that although ad revenues remained below last year's levels, the company has seen "a steady improvement in the rate of decline since the beginning of the year".
The publisher said May ad revenues were $82.4m (£55.5m), down 2.4% from $82.47m a year ago.
National advertising revenues were up 1.4% to $99.6m from $98.3m last time as a strong performance by entertainment, media and banking advertising helped offset weak technology and financials services advertising.
Classified advertising revenue was down to $53.8m from $60.8m as growth in automotive and real estate advertising was offset by a fall in recruitment advertising.
Shares in the New York Times Company rose slightly this morning, climbing 0.08%, or $0.04, to $49.95.
Despite the group's optimistic stance, ad revenues at its New England Newspaper Group -- publisher of the Boston Globe -- declined 3.8% from $34.8m down from $36.16m a year ago.
The division said that national advertising revenues decreased as a result of weakness in travel, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and financial advertising.
Classified advertising saw small growth in automotive ads, offset by a fall in recruitment ads.
The company said the division has also launched two new regional sections to the Globe: Globe North and Globe NorthWest, to complete its line-up of local publications providing targeted news and advertising to its readers.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)