Book and newspaper publisher Pearson has reported a share rise in first half profits and raised its full-year sales forecast for its core professional education business to growth of 5-7%.
The company, which also owns the Financial Times, had previously forecast flat sales for the professional education business.
Pearson also increased its full-year headline revenue growth forecast for its IDC business to 10-12% from 6-9% previously.
Pearson has a majority stake in US-listed market data provider Interactive Data Corp.
In the first half of the year overall education sales rose by 7% and moved into a first-half profit of £5m.
FT Group revenues climbed 8% with profits up 28% while Penguin revenues increased 1% and profits 11%.
Group revenue rose to £1.72 billion from £1.674 billion, compared with an average analyst forecast of 1.67 billion.
Pearson said that although its headline results will be affected by the weak dollar it is confident that 2007 will be another good year for the company as it lifts margins and grows faster than the markets it operates in.
