Ilkka Yhtyma Oyj reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of EUR 11,734,000 against EUR 13,180,000 a year ago. Operating profit was EUR 2,566,000 against EUR 4,972,000 a year ago. Profit before tax was EUR 1,856,000 against EUR 4,575,000 a year ago. Profit for the period under review was EUR 1,852,000 against EUR 4,247,000 a year ago. Earnings per share were EUR 0.07 against EUR 0.17 a year ago.

For the six months, the company reported net sales of EUR 23,496,000 against EUR 25,323,000 a year ago. The decrease in net sales from the publishing business was caused by a weaker advertising market and the income from parliamentary election advertisements included in the comparative figure for 2011. Operating profit was EUR 5,951,000 against EUR 9,147,000 a year ago. Profit before tax was EUR 4,511,000 against EUR 8,815,000 a year ago. Profit for the period under review was EUR 4,300,000 against EUR 7,920,000 a year ago. Earnings per share were EUR 0.17 against EUR 0.31 a year ago. Cash flow from operations was EUR 6,435,000 against EUR 22,139,000 a year ago. Investments in tangible and intangible assets, net were EUR 400,000 compared to EUR 478,000 a year ago.

The company also announced that Satu Takala (Master of Arts) assumed her position as Chief Editor of provincial paper Ilkka. The former Chief Editor Matti Kalliokoski transferred to Helsingin Sanomat. Takala was previously Managing Editor of the shared editorial unit of Ilkka and Pohjalainen. Prior to this position, she was Managing Director of Vali-Suomen Media Oy and Producer at Sunnuntaisuomalainen in Jyvaskyla as well as a journalist for Ilkka.

The company also provides earnings guidance for the year 2012. Net sales are estimated to estimated to decrease from the 2011 level. Group operating profit from company's own operations and operating profit were as a percentage of net sales.