Independent News and Media said today the group is on-target to deliver an operating margin of 20% in 2006 - in line with expectations.
The group said its underlying profits are expected to be up over 10% from a year ago, in line with analysts' forecasts.
Independent News and Media (INM) said in a pre-close statment that newspaper circulation revenues are on course to rise over 5% for the eleven months to November 2006.
The group said newspaper advertising revenues were expected to rise by more than 4%.
The group said adjusted earnings per share are expected to rise over 10% from last year. Full year results will be released in March, 2007.
INM said online revenues continue to show strong advertising growth, and PropertyNews.com (acquired in May 2006) continues to expand rapidly.
INM said the group's free commuter title in Dublin, herald am, will further expand its reach during 2007.
INM said its Indian associate Jagran Prakashan Limited ('JPL') saw first-half net profits up 244.3% on the back of increases in circulation and advertising revenues.
The company's CEO, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, said INM is on-target to deliver double-digit earnings growth for 2006.
'The Group is extremely well positioned for continuing strong growth for the future, in line with current market expectations', he said.
