Weak ones have begun to worry about whether they can survive several years of high newsprint prices.

Almost inevitably, when advertising returns, so will much higher newsprint prices.

Few in the industry expect the trend to change now that newsprint prices have begun to fall.

The company attributed the jump to higher newsprint prices and improvements in its operations.

Moreover, analysts and officials of paper companies predict that newsprint prices will rise another 5 percent or more, probably by next spring.

Analysts said rising newsprint prices this year could limit future earnings growth.

The results come as the publishing industry continues to contend with newsprint prices that are about 30 percent higher than a year ago.

The paper companies are under added pressure because newsprint prices have been depressed since the beginning of the year.

The company said lower profits for the group were mainly attributable to higher newsprint prices.

The low newsprint prices are expected to continue for at least another quarter, the two said.