Staff Writer

The New York Times Co. announced that the second quarter diluted earnings per share reached $0.59, up 22.9 percent from $0.48 a year ago, excluding special items. For the first half of the year, diluted earnings per share rose 30.9 percent to $1.09 from $0.81 in the same period in 1999.

Net income for the second quarter increased 18.8 percent to $101.7 million from $85.8 million in the second quarter of 1999. For the first half of the year, net income rose 25.6 percent to $184.8 million from $147.2 million in the first half of last year.

There were no special items in the first half of 2000 or in the first quarter of 1999. In the second quarter of last year, there was a $4-million pre-tax charge for workforce-reduction expenses at The Boston Globe.

In addition, total newspaper group revenues grew 13.7 percent in the second quarter of 2000 to $798.2 million from $701.9 million in the comparable period of 1999. The biggest boost to revenue is attributed to higher national advertising at The New York Times and The Boston Globe which rose 16.5 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively.

Revenues for New York Times Digital grew 168.8 percent in the second quarter of 2000 to $13.5 million from $5 million in the second quarter of 1999. Revenues increased 183.4 percent to $25 million from $8.8 million in the first half of 1999.

Gannett announced that its total net operating revenues increased 15.8 percent to $2.85 million compared to last year’s total of $2.47 million. Gannett’s net income nearly tripled from $455,863 to $1,215,916, and the dividends per share increased 5 percent from $0.40 to $0.42.

Dow Jones & Co. announced that it earned $93.7 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, before special items, during the quarter. Earnings per share grew 66 percent over the second quarter of 1999, when the company earned $58.9 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, before a special charge.

The company recorded net income for the quarter of $100.6 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, after a previously announced gain from the sale of the company’s minority stake in SportsTicker Enterprises L.P. and the settlement for a satellite lease in Europe.

Revenue increased 22 percent in the second quarter to $621.6 million. Operating income was $159.7 million, up 52 percent compared to the second quarter of 1999.

Journal Register Co.’s advertising revenue increased 5.7 percent to $29.9 million, compared to $28.3 million. National revenue was up 53.9 percent, local revenue increased 5.8 percent, while classified revenue also increased to 2.9 percent.