The second Financial Times European Performance League highlighted prints difficulties in providing shareholder return compared to other industries and even other media sectors.

The table was topped by Italian media firm Gruppo Editoriale LEspresso, which gave shareholders the best return over both one year and five years at 607% and 6,255% respectively.

De La Rue and Bunzl, both listed in the support services sector, finished 157th and 158th over one year, and paper group Arjo Wiggins Appleton followed shortly behind them in 166th place.
Packaging groups Jefferson Smurfit and Rexam were placed 176th and 225th.

Information technology firms and satellite media businesses dominated the top ranks of the league, which was produced in conjunction with FTSE.
By Gordon Carson