Shared Mail Drop, Impairment Charge Damp Valassis Year

Valassis generated $626.3 million during fourth-quarter 2008, a drop from the $661.5 million it pulled in during fourth-quarter 2007. But the company took an eye-popping $222 million loss during the quarter, largely due to a $245 million non-cash impairment charge. In fourth-quarter 2007, Valassis recorded $20.6 million in net income.

For the year, the company