Smiths News (LSE:SNWS) has signed a new long-term distribution agreement with Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and The i Paper. The contract, which will run until July 2037, expands the company’s exclusive distribution territories to effectively cover the whole of Great Britain from January 2028. Smiths News expects the enlarged agreement to generate approximately £105 million in additional annual revenue and includes a commitment to freeze retailer delivery service charges throughout the life of the contract.
The latest agreement follows the recently announced News UK contract and means Smiths News has now secured around 36% of the national newspapers and magazines distribution market from 2028. The company plans to expand its national distribution network to support the additional workload, further strengthening its position within the UK’s print media supply chain. Management said further details on the financial impact of the new contracts will be provided alongside its preliminary results later in 2026, reinforcing confidence in the group’s long-term growth prospects.
Smiths News’ investment outlook is supported by attractive valuation metrics and positive technical indicators. A relatively low price-to-earnings ratio and a high dividend yield enhance the investment case, while recent chart signals point to improving market momentum. Although the company continues to generate solid cash flow and maintain operational efficiency, investors will continue to monitor its relatively high debt levels and negative equity position.
More about Smiths News PLC
Smiths News PLC is the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler, providing early-morning distribution and end-to-end supply chain services for national and regional publishers. With more than 200 years of operating history, the company serves over 22,000 retail customers across England and Wales. In addition to print distribution, Smiths News has expanded into warehousing, reverse logistics, waste recycling and final-mile delivery services across a range of product categories.
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