Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury Publishing has today forecast annual profit and revenue ahead of market expectations, encouraged by readers picking up more fantasy fiction novels by authors such as Sarah J Maas and JK Rowling.
Demand for several books including "Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac", the official companion to JK Rowling's books and children's' Christmas book "We're Going on a Sleigh Ride" has been on the rise in the recent months, the London-listed publisher said.
"I am delighted to report a strong period of trading which is principally driven by the continued phenomenal demand for fantasy fiction," CEO Nigel Newton said in a statement.
Analysts on average expect full-year profit before tax and highlighted items to be £32.9m with revenue of £274.2m, according to a company-compiled consensus.
The publisher, best known for picking up JK Rowling's Harry Potter series in 1997 after its rejection by a dozen others, said its non-consumer division which includes digital academic resources, was trading in line with expectations.
