COMPANY AUG. 31 SEP. 28 % CHANGE
The Publishers Weekly Stock Index ended a two-month slide in September. Stock prices rose at 12 companies in the month and fell at only five, resulting in a 4.8% increase for the PWSI. An improved balance sheet and aggressive growth plans helped drive Franklin Electronic Publishers' stock to a 52-week high at the end of September when it closed at $3.90. Audible's stock benefited from a generally positive climate for audio companies on Wall Street with its stock price up 22.4% in September; during the month its stock price hit a 52-week high of $13.50 before falling back. Investors remained skeptical of Borders's prospects.
Source: Reed Business Information
Winners
Franklin Elec. Pub. 2.80 3.90 39.3%
Audible 10.62 13.00 22.4
Amazon 79.91 93.15 16.5
Hastings Ent. 7.21 8.38 16.2
John Wiley 41.47 44.93 8.3
Losers
Borders Group 15.00 13.33 -11.1
Barnes & Noble 36.07 35.26 -2.2
Courier Corp. 35.94 35.21 -2.0
Educational Dev. Corp. 6.50 6.45 -0.8
Books-A-Million 13.32 13.23 -0.6
Publishers Weekly
Stock Index 486.49 510.02 4.8%
Dow Jones Aver. 13,357.74 13,895.63 4.0