Johnston Press PLC Regulatory News (JPR)

JOHNSTON PRESS PLC

TRADING UPDATE

Johnston Press plc ("the Group"), one of the leading local media groups in the UK, announces its trading update for the 17 weeks to 29 October 2016.

Following the acquisition of the i newspaper in April 2016 and its subsequent strong performance, and an improvement in trading since Brexit, total group revenues year-on-year for the 17 week period to 29 October, were down 5.1%. Total group revenues year-on-year were 3.2% down in October versus 9.9% down in H1.1

Circulation revenues year-on-year increased 18.8% for the 17 week period, with October up 22.5%, (versus 2.3% in H1) 2, reflecting strong circulation volumes from the i newspaper increasing 4.6% to an average of 290,000 per day in September. The i has grown its market share from 18.5% to over 20% of the quality newspaper segment.

Digital advertising revenues (excluding classifieds) returned to growth of 8.4% in October, 2.8% down for the 17 week period as a whole, (0.6% down in H1), driven by strong national digital performance from the 1XL network and strengthening local display.3

Combined print and digital advertising revenues excluding classifieds, which were particularly affected by tough trading conditions earlier this year, were down 6.8% for the 17 week period, (3.5% down in October), having been down 9.2% in H1.4

Transactional revenues (Telesales out of the Media Sales Centre) including BMDs, public notices and other small classifieds, were down 4.3% for the 17 weeks, (2.8% down in October), having been down 7.2% in H1. The classified categories of employment, property and motors, were down 31.9% for the 17 week period, impacted by the structural shift in the market and now represent less than 16% of total Group revenues in October.

Audience growth remains a priority and the number of digital unique users has grown on average from 20.3m to 23.1m per month for September year-on-year.

Following the successful disposal of the Isle of Man titles in August, we continue to explore opportunities for further divestment, and will provide an update when appropriate.

We remain focused on cutting costs to mitigate revenue declines and the impact of sterling weakness on paper prices, and assuming no further deterioration in trading conditions, the Board expects performance to continue in line with expectations.

Notes:

Adjusted figures include the results from the performance of the i post acquisition April 2016 and excludes the performance of the Isle of Man business disposed in August 2016.

1 Excluding the i, adjusted like for like revenues declined by 16.0% for the 17 week period and 14.2% in October.

2 Excluding the i, like for like circulation revenue declined 9.8% for the 17 week period, and 7.9% in October.

3 Excluding the i, like for like digital advertising revenues were down 3.4% for the 17 week period, but grew 7.9% in October.

4 Excluding the i, like for like combined print and digital advertising revenues were down 11.8% in the 17 week period and 7.7% in October.

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This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.