Pearson released a trading statement this morning ahead of its full year results announcement on February 27. Shares in Pearson were trading up by 1.72% on the news, a rise of 11.5p to 682p.
It said that it had traded strongly at the end of 2005, with a good performance by book publisher Penguin and a strong performance in its school, higher education and professional markets.
Overall, Pearson said it expects to report underlying sales growth for 2005 and that 2006 will be a good year.
The news came amid reports that the Financial Times could reach a settlement with money broker Collins Stewart Tullett over the two-year court case.
A High Court hearing yesterday was adjourned so that talks could take place, with reports that a settlement could be reached as early as today.
The case surrounds allegations reported by the FT about workplace practices made by a Collins Stewart employee, which the broker said had damaged the company. A settlement would be widely welcomed because of fears that a victory for the broker could alter the way journalists cover the finance industry.
Last year, Lionel Barber took over as the editor of the FT from Andrew Gowers, who left because of disagreements with the board over the future strategic direction of the paper.
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