The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Orion and L, B strong at Hachette

28.08.08 Philip Jones

Orion and Little, Brown appear to have been the star performers among Hachette UK's divisions in the first half of the year, according to results put out by parent Lagardere.

Hachette Group saw earnings before interest and tax fall by 7% to €71m, after sales grew 1.3% to €908m, despite "good contributions" from the UK and US.

The French group put out it sales figures in July, but revealed its profits performance at an analysts presentation in France today (28th August). It pointed to "very good results from Orion and Little, Brown"; Time Warner US increased its market share in the US in a declining market, it added, with what was described as an "excellent performance in fiction/non-fiction". But an "improved operating peformance [was] cancelled out by negative currency effects".

In July, Hachette Books UK c.e.o. Tim Hely-Hutchinson told The Bookseller that sales in the UK rose 6%, adding that margins and profits "both held up well".

Financial Philip Jones Hachette Orion Little Brown Lagardere