R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., Chicago, yesterday reported a fourth-quarter 2005 net loss from continuing operations of $236 million on net sales of $2.4 billion compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $148.8 million on net sales of $2.1 billion for the previous year.
The 13.1 percent gain in net sales the printer generated during the fourth quarter was primarily because of the acquisition of the Astron Group, Asia Printers Group and Poligrafia, new customer acquisitions and increased volume from existing customers in the Publishing and Retail Services and Integrated Print Communications segments, the company said.
Net sales for the Publishing and Retail Services segment, which includes magazine, catalog and retail, directories and book businesses within North America, Europe and Asia, logistics and premedia businesses, increased 10.9 percent to $1.2 billion during the fourth quarter.
Net sales for the Integrated Print Communications segment, which includes direct mail, global capital markets, dynamic communication solutions, short-run commercial print, and the Astron Group businesses, increased 27.4 percent to $703.5 million.
Net sales in the Forms and Labels segment, which includes forms, labels, office products and Latin American businesses, increased 0.6 percent to $442.8 million.
For the full year of 2005, the company reported net earnings from continuing operations of $95.6 million on net sales of $8.4 billion compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $264.9 million on net sales of $7.2 billion for the full year of 2004.
Chantal Todé covers catalog and retail news and BTB marketing for DM News and DM News.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters
