Fairfax mulls options for NZ division; won't comment on possible spin-off

Fairfax Media says it has nothing to disclose about its New Zealand operations after The Australian newspaper reported it was considering an $A200 million spinoff of its New Zealand newspapers, magazines, and digital business.

"Fairfax continues to explore options for all its businesses including Fairfax NZ but at this time there is nothing to disclose," the Sydney-based company said in a statement, responding to media reports.

Meanwhile, rival publisher APN News & Media has announced a trading halt on the ASX pending a "potentially materially transaction," further fueling the speculation.

In February, the Australian media group reported a 4.2% increase in first-half profit to $A26.3 million as revenue edged up 1.6% to $A958 million. The New Zealand division posted a 12% decline in first-half earnings, which the publisher of the Stuff website and a suite of regional titles including the Dominion Post, Press and Sunday-Star Times newspapers said despite increases in its online revenue. Those gains didn't offset the continuing advertising decline in its traditional print publications. Advertising revenue fell 9.2% to $119.8 million.

The New Zealand division increased digital revenue 43% without disclosing any detail. It also said its flagship Stuff website retained its top spot among domestic websites. The Australian group is placing an increased focus on digital business, with online revenue accounting for about 20% in the first half, twice as much as it did five years ago.

The Australian  said that a spin-off could involve a demerger of shares to existing shareholders, an initial public offering, or a trade sale. The move could be part of efforts to have the stock market put a higher value on the company, which it believes it deserves, the News Corp newspaper reported.

Fairfax stock last traded at 80Ac on the ASX and has fallen 20% in the past 12 months, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index has fallen just 6%. The stock is rated a 'buy' based on the consensus of nine analysts surveyed by Reuters.

A demerged Fairfax New Zealand could end up footing it with APN News & Media on the NZX, with APN also contemplating a demerger of its New Zealand assets, most probably through a distribution of shares to existing investors. The Australian  said Fairfax and APN had held talks about a possible merger of their New Zealand operations.

It said APN was expected to undertake a capital raising in excess of $A200 million in conjunction with a demerger. APN shares last traded at 63Ac on the ASX and have declined 3% in the past 12 months. They are also rated a 'buy.'

(BusinessDesk)