Publically listed print companies are have fallen almost four times the market average since the beginning of this year, led by an almost 20 per cent fall for struggling paper merchant Paperlinx.

The ten print related companies listed on the ASX are down an average of 9.32 per cent from the year’s January 2, opening compared to the All Ordinaries’ 2.48 per cent drop.

Paperlinx, the country’s largest paper supplier, shed 18.75 per cent. Packaging outfit ColorPak has fallen by 10.71 per cent following a half year report that revealed a $20m fall in sales and 40 per cent profit reduction.

[Related: This time last year]

The industry was saved from an even worse overall performance by the continued growth of Wellcom, up 8.78 per cent, and Opus’ good start to the new year, up 11.11 per cent. Print giant PMP also rose, by 8.86 per cent.

Computershare was down 2.14 per cent but is up more than five per cent today so far after reporting that its half year net profit is up by a whopping 47 per cent. ProPrint will examine the company’s half year report tomorrow.

The rest were a mixed bag with most down by at least six per cent or posting marginal gains.

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.

[Related: More blue chip brand news]

Results between January 1 and February 11 this year:

Paperlinx (PPX) down $0.009, -18.75%

ColorPak (CKL) down $0.09, -10.71%

PMP up $0.035, +8.86%

APN down $0.03, -6.52%

Computershare (CPU) down $0.24, -2.12%

Wellcom (WLL) up $0.23, +8.78%

Amcor (AMC) up $0.11, +1.04%

Fairfax (FXJ) up $0.04, +6.3%

Salmat (SLM) down $0.16, -7.31%

Opus (OPG) up $0.005, +11.11%

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