Revenue in Marvel Entertainment's publishing division benefited from strong sales of hardcovers and trade paperbacks into both the direct market and bookstore channels in 2006. Comic book sales were bolstered by strong sales of titles associated with the Civil War series.
Pearson Education
The acquisitions of testing firm NES plus two technology companies helped lift school group sales 12.3% in 2006, to £1.45 billion ($2.68 billion), in a down elhi market. Revenue in the higher education group increased 2.0%, to £795 million ($1.46 billion), fueled by growth in online learning and custom publishing.
Audible
A jump in subscribers—up to 383,000 at the end of 2006—and an increase in downloads made through iTunes contributed to a 30% rise in sales at Audible last year. Heavy investments and a $5.9 million stock-based compensation expense, however, resulted in a loss of $8.4 million compared to a $653,000 loss in 2005.
Harlequin
A strong Canadian dollar and problems in its direct-to-consumer business combined to drive revenue down 9.6%, to $405 million, at Harlequin last year. The sales decline coupled with restructuring charges resulted in a 41% plunge in operating profit, to $48.4 million.
Source: Reed Business Information
