Dow Jones reports revenue, profit increase in fourth quarter

Dow Jones & Co., the parent of The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch.com, Barron’s and Investor’s Business Daily, reported a 4 percent increase in revenue and a 3 percent increase in its profit in the fourth quarter, boosted by subscription and circulation growth.

The company’s financial performance is included in the financial results of News Corp., its owner.

Revenue rose to $566 million from $546 million in the quarter ending June 30, and its EBITDA earnings rose to $137 million from $133 million.

During the fourth quarter, total average subscriptions to Dow Jones’ consumer products were over 5.8 million, an 11% increase compared to the prior year. Digital-only subscriptions to Dow Jones’ consumer products grew 16% to over 5.2 million.

Total subscriptions to The Journal grew 7% compared to the prior year, to nearly 4.3 million average subscriptions in the quarter. Digital-only subscriptions to The Journal grew 11% to almost 3.8 million average subscriptions in the quarter, and represented 89% of total Journal subscriptions.

Advertising revenues increased $2 million, or 2%, primarily due to 12% growth in digital advertising revenues, partly offset by a 13% decline in print advertising revenues. Digital advertising accounted for 66% of total advertising revenues in the quarter, compared to 60% in the prior year.

See all of the results here.