Pearson provided its ts regular January trading update today, stating that they continued to perform strongly through the fourth quarter of 2006. Pearson Education sustained its good revenue momentum and achieved further margin improvement, ahead of expectations, as we benefited from our investments in educational testing and technology. The Financial Times added circulation and advertising and Penguin had a good year-end publishing and selling season. Their preliminary results will be announced on February 26th.

Marjorie Scardino, chief executive, said: "A strong all-round performance in our key fourth quarter selling season capped another very good year. All around Pearson, our investments in content and technology are paying off. Those advantages have produced Pearson's highest ever profits in 2006, and will bolster our future growth."