Macroeconomic growth coupled with high-quality journalism creates credibility, builds readership and eventually leads to profitability

Notwithstanding the one-time equity-related investment losses of 2006 caused by the extraordinary movement in the Amman Stock Exchange and the economy as a whole, JPF was successful in greatly increasing its normalized earnings during the first half of 2007.

Total revenues for the aforementioned period came in at JD 13.4 million while the net income registered JD 5.5 million. When excluding the effects of the mentioned losses (and subsequent gains), JPF would reveal a growth of 26.3% when comparing the figures of the first half of 2007 with those of 2006.

A new equity report, 'The Jordan Press Foundation Initial Coverage' was released by the Arab Advisors Group's Financial Markets Strategic Research Service on August 1, 2007. This report can be received from the Arab Advisors Group free of charge.

The 32-page report provides a comprehensive background on the Jordan Press Foundation, and a detailed analysis of its performance during 2006 and up to June-end 2007.

The Jordan Press Foundation is thoroughly profiled, highlighting its major accomplishments during the aforementioned period, including an examination of its major strengths and challenges that lie ahead. The report concludes by offering our opinion on the fair market value of the Jordan Press Foundation' equity.

The valuation is based on both historical information and a set of justified assumptions. Arab Advisors Group's analysis of the stock yields a fair market value estimate ranging between JD 17.8 - JD 22.6 with an average price of JD 20.2

'2007 is expected to be a prosperous year for the Jordan Press Foundation since a number of major advertising and re-branding campaigns have been carried out over the first six months with others forecasted towards the end of the year.

In addition, Local and Amman Municipality council elections and parliamentary elections penciled for the second half of 2007 will also be of substantial importance' Mr. Shadi Nino, Arab Advisors Research Analyst, wrote in the report.