Independent News & Media reported higher profits last year on further growth in advertising and circulation revenues at its Irish, Indian and South African divisions.
Independent News & Media reported 1.5% higher revenues last year.
Overall INM reported revenues in 2006 of €1.63 billion, compared with €1.61 billion in 2005, while profits before tax including exceptionals were up 10.4% to €265.7m.
The company - which has operations in Ireland, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and India - said both advertising revenues and circulation revenues at its publishing division were up over 5%.
The best performing region last year was South Africa, where operating profits were €55.2m, up from €41.8m in 2005.
In the UK operating profit was €14.3m last year, down from €15.1m the previous year and in Ireland operating profits were €94.4m for 2006, up from €90.6m.
Diluted earnings per share before exceptionals last year was up 11% at 17.43 cent.
Independent News & Media said its Indian associate, Jagran Prakashan, recorded profit after tax growth of 205.8% for the 9 months ended December 31 2006.
In the year it bought propertynews.com and Wholesale Newspapers Services, the newspaper and magazine wholesale distribution company in Northern Ireland.
The company proposed a 2006 final dividend up 18.6% to 8.30 cent per share.
CEO Dr Tony O'Reilly said the group had improved margins last year and that all operating divisions (publishing & online, radio and outdoor) achieved year-on-year growth in their markets.
'The positive trend in 2006 has continued into 2007. Given a continuation of current trading conditions, the Board remains committed to its stated objective of double-digit earnings growth,' he said.
Independent News & Media shares closed up five cent at €3.16 in Dublin.
