DC Thomson, the Dundee-based publisher of titles including The Beano comic, shrugged off falling circulation to lift profits 20 per cent last year, according to Companies House accounts.
Founded in 1905, DC Thomson also publishes The People’s Friend and a host of Scottish regional dailies. It also owns Shortlist and Stylist magazines. The four directors are all descendants of founder David Couper Thomson; the family’s wealth is estimated at almost £1.3bn. While overall sales grew less than 2 per cent to £244.8m in the year to 31 March, pre-tax profits rose from £24.8m to £30.1m. That prompted the firm to pay out a £19.2m dividend for the year.
Magazine circulation revenues were down 4.3 per cent, although profits rose. Advertising revenues from newspapers dropped 6.4 per cent but digital revenues were up 26 per cent. The Parragon book publishing arm’s sales fell 10 per cent.
