* Lagardere 9-month sales
* Due Nov 5 before market opens
* Sales seen at 5.875 billion euros, on average.
PARIS, Nov 3 (Reuters) - French media group Lagardere
(LAGA.PA) is expected to post a 2.8 percent decline in nine-month
sales on Thursday, with a global advertising downturn hitting
its press and broadcast operations.
Sales are seen at 5.875 billion euros, according to the
average estimate from eight analysts polled by Reuters.
The world's biggest publisher of consumer magazines,
including Elle and Paris Match, has predicted that trading would
improve in the second half of the year.
The group has a 2009 target for its publishing, sports and
services divisions of flat to 10 percent lower recurring
operating income year-on-year. It has not given any guidance for
the Lagardere Active press and broadcast operations due to
uncertainty over the outlook for the advertising market.
Analysts will be looking for any clues on trends in the
advertising market.
With a market capitalisation of 4 billion euros, Lagardere
is the world's number two book publisher behind Britain's
Pearson (PSON.L).
Following are analyst forecasts for Lagardere's nine-month
sales:
(figures in millions of euros)
SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES
Total Publishing Active Services Sports
AVERAGE 5,875.3 1,664.1 1,251.7 2,518.8 389.5
MEDIAN 5,846 1,664 1,255 2,523 388
HIGH 5,982 1,681.1 1,265.2 2,541.9 405.2
LOW 5,795 1,648.1 1,233 2,495.3 381.8
-----------------------------------------------------------
9-month 08 6,042 1,563.4 1,516.4 2,613.3 348.9
% Change -2.8 6.4 -17.5 -3.6 11.6
(additional reporting by Daniel Zielinski, Cyril Altmeyer)
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; editing by Elaine
Hardcastle)
