Record-breaking sales of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeensured publisher Bloomsbury posted £20 million (€28.7 million) in annual profits today.
The group increased its surplus by 23.6 per cent as it set out plans for more launches resulting from the series over the next few years, including box sets, a paperback version of the Half-Blood Princeand the seventh and final title by JK Rowling.
A release date for the book has yet to be scheduled.
Bloomsbury said the worldwide midnight launch of the most recent Harry Potter novel ensured revenues from its children's division increased by 70 per cent to £69 million (€99 million) in 2005.
Further strong sales are expected this year following the release of the paperback version in June, while there will be further benefits stemming from the screening of the next Harry Potter film, which is due in July 2007.
The cloth-bound gift edition of the seven books is also likely to become a major collector's item, Bloomsbury said.
Among other titles, Bloomsbury benefited from the paperback releases of The Two of Usby Sheila Hancock and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellby Susanna Clarke.
PA