COMPANY Feb 29 March 31 % CHANGE
The Publishers Weekly Stock Index fell for the third consecutive month in March, though its most recent decline, 2.1%, was well below the more than 7% drops in January and February. In March, the stock prices fell for eight companies, while rising at eight; Audible came off the PWSI following its purchase by Amazon. The e-tailer's stock price bounced back in March after a steep drop in February, posting the largest price gain among all companies on the PWSI. Barnes & Noble's stock price also recovered in March after falling in February, helped in part by speculation that B&N may buy its chief rival, Borders, giving it a commanding share in the bookstore market. Borders's stock price plunged after it announced it was receiving a loan from its largest shareholder to prevent any future liquidity problems.
Source: Reed Business Information
Winners
Amazon 64.47 71.30 10.6%
Barnes & Noble 28.12 30.65 9.0
John Wiley & Sons 36.48 39.70 8.8
Marvel Ent. 25.15 26.79 6.5
Books-A-Million 8.29 8.74 5.4
Losers
Borders Group 9.26 5.87 -36.6
Scholastic 34.87 30.27 -13.2
McGraw-Hill 40.93 36.95 -9.7
Courier Corp. 27.21 24.95 -8.3
R.R. Donnelley 31.83 30.31 -4.8
Publishers Weekly
Stock Index 408.82 407.95 -2.1
Dow Jones Aver. 12,266.39 12,262.89 -.03