Despite a slow start, publically listed print companies have had a decent first half of the year, rising almost six per cent and significantly outperforming a flat stock market.

The nine print related companies listed on the ASX are up an average of 5.88 per cent from the year’s January 2 opening compared to the stagnant All Ordinaries’ 0.23 per cent rise.

The industry was buoyed by a massive increase by APN following its sale of its main billboard division APN Outdoor, rising 64.48 per cent, and Computershare shrugging off the closure of Digital Post, in which it had an 80 per cent stake, to climb 10.15 per cent.

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Wellcom is also doing well after announcing higher profits and a US expansion, up 10.31 per cent, but has not traded since June 24 for unknown reasons.

Print giant PMP also posted significant gains, up 10.13 per cent to 43.5c, but got as high as 47c on June 20 as attention focused on a mystery buyer investing in its shares every day for weeks.

Fairfax is up a whopping 45.67 per cent despite massive staff cuts, closing its flagship metro printing plants, and a nasty war of words with News Corp.

The news was not good for every print company, however. Paperlinx, the country’s largest paper supplier, continues to lose ground, falling 18.75 per cent, after financial reports showed its road to profitability would be tougher than expected, and only about seven per cent of hybrid shareholders accepted a buyout offer in February.

Packaging outfit ColorPak fell 25 per cent following a half year report that revealed a $20m fall in sales and 40 per cent profit reduction, while Opus eased 4.44 per cent.

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Amcor was flat with a 1.51 per cent loss but rode a share price rollercoaster all year with great instability, reaching highs of $10.83 and lows of $9.99 to close the financial year at $10.43.

According to a  ProPrint poll last year, 48 per cent of respondents thought listed print companies were undervalued, while 27 per cent said they were overvalued.

Results between January 2 and June 30 this year:

Paperlinx (PPX) down $0.009, -18.75%

ColorPak (CKL) down $0.21, -25%

PMP (PMP) up $0.04, +10.13%

APN (APN) up $0.315, +68.48%

Computershare (CPU) up $1.15, +10.15%

Wellcom (WLL) up $0.27, +10.31%

Amcor (AMC) down $0.16, -1.51%

Fairfax (FXJ) up $0.29, +45.67%

Opus (OPG) down $0.002, -4.44%

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