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Fairfax still struggling with weak ad market

Embattled media group Fairfax says gloomy conditions in the advertising market are still dragging on its revenues.

The group reported a big rise in its first half net profit, thanks to the sale of its stake in Trade Me and its agricultural publishing business in the United States.

Fairfax's net profit rose to $386.3 million during the first half ended December 30 from $97.6 million in the previous corresponding period.

Excluding the businesses sold during the period, Fairfax recorded a net profit of $83 million, down from $135.7 million.

Revenue dropped to $1.1 billion from $1.2 billion, in line with analysts' expectations because of declining advertising income.

Fairfax chief executive Greg Hywood said trading conditions remained tough, with December revenues down 5 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Revenues for the first six weeks of the second half were nine to 10 per cent below the previous corresponding period.

"Continuing weakness in real estate and the national advertising market are providing a drag on group revenue, although there is considerable volatility from month to month," he said in a statement.

"A sustained improvement in consumer sentiment is required in order to see an uplift in a number of our key advertising categories, and we note recent positive economic commentary in relation to the consumer economy."

Fairfax cut its fully-franked interim dividend to one cent a share from two cents a share.

More to come…