APN shelves NZME float on weak ad market, puts Australian regional papers on block

APN shelves NZME float on weak ad market, puts Australian regional papers on block
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Feb. 25 (BusinessDesk) - APN News & Media has shelved plans for an initial public offering of its NZME division in New Zealand due to a weak advertising market, while at the same time putting its Australian regional newspapers up for sale as it wrestles with the growing importance of digital platforms.  The Sydney-based company reported a loss of A$10.2 million in calendar 2015, including a A$48.3 million charge against the Australian regional papers' mastheads, from a profit of A$11.5 million a year earlier. Earnings befor...