The company says it has built on last year's success, with the Financial Times Group's profits up one-third in 2005, the circulation of the Financial Times up 4% and advertising revenue up 13%, as the main reasons for its continued success.
Pearson said, as part of its trading update ahead of today's AGM, that the FT continues to convert at least 80% of its advertising gains into profit.
The news may not quieten fears that Pearson plans to sell the FT, despite opposition from Pearson chief executive Marjorie Scardino, who said it would happen "over my dead body".
However, a sell-off for the FT could still happen, after one of Pearson's largest shareholders, Franklin Templeton, warned that the paper would be in danger unless "tens of millions of pounds" a year was made in profits.
Scardino said: "We have begun the year in the same fine form that we enjoyed throughout 2005. We expect 2006 to be another good year for Pearson as we continue to increase margins and grow ahead of our markets."
Pearson also performed well in other areas citing: the recent acquisition of Effective Educational Technologies, creators of online assessment and tutorial programmes; its Pearson Educational range of titles; and Penguin's strong publishing performance in the first quarter of 2006, as key areas of development.
Glen Moreno, chairman of Pearson, said: "2005 was a very good year for Pearson with substantially higher earnings, return on capital and cash returns to shareholders.
"We are encouraged by our sustained momentum in the early part of 2006, and we are in good shape to deliver positive results for customers and shareholders year after year."
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