Pearson reports profitable performance for ft.com

Media group Pearson reported strong performance of its internet interests in a trading update published today.

The report, released prior to full year-end results which are expected on 5 March, said: "Our FT internet enterprises remain on track to break even in 2002, some two years ahead of our original expectations." Monthly users on ft.com were up from 1.1 million in July to 1.7 million in November. Pearson shares were nonetheless trading nearly four per cent down on yesterday's close.