Revenue at HarperCollins rose 3% in the quarter ended September 30, compared to the same quarter a year ago. Earnings increased 4%, parent company News Corp reported.
Sales at the company were $401 million in the quarter, which is the first period of fiscal 2018, up from $389 million in the first period of fiscal 2017. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was $50 million, up from $48 million in last year’s first quarter.
The improved results were attributed to continued strong sales of two long-time bestsellers, Hillbilly Elegy and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Also touted were frontlist titles such as House of Spies and The Good Daughter.
Downloadable audio also performed well in the period, News Corp said. Total digital sales rose 6% over the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Digital, including both audio and e-books, accounted for 21% of consumer revenues in the quarter, up from 20% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017
