Slow Direct Mail Business Widens Vertis Loss

Vertis Inc. reported a net loss of $24 million for the third quarter, down from $5.3 million last year.

The Baltimore firm reported sales of $391 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down from $410 million last year.

The printing and direct marketing firm attributed these results to competitive pricing pressures, sluggish domestic direct mail sales, and weak advertising agency business.

The firm