U.K.-based publisher Bloomsbury reported a 30% drop in adjusted pre-tax profit and a 5% decline in revenue for the first half of its 2026–27 financial year, but said a strong start to the second half had reinforced its confidence in delivering record full-year results.
Revenue for the six months ending in August fell to £151.6 million ($203.2 million in current exchange rates) from £159.5 million in the same period last year, per the publisher’s latest financial report. Adjusted pre-tax profit declined to £16.8 million ($22.5 million) from £24 million.
Bloomsbury maintained its optimistic full-year outlook, citing market consensus forecasts of £354.3 million ($474.7 million)in revenue and £49.9 million ($66.9 million)in adjusted pre-tax profit for the year ending February 28, 2027.
The publisher is betting on the release of two new books from Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series: A Court of Splintered Harmony, due on October 27, and A Court of Forgotten Melody, scheduled for January 12, 2027. In its previous financial results, the company said pre-orders for the books are “exceptional” and that it expects the new titles will spur interest in Maas’s backlist.
Consumer division revenue fell 9.3% to £102.8 million ($137.8 million) from £113.4 million, while adjusted pre-tax profit declined 26.9% to £9.8 million ($13.1 million)from £13.4 million, per the report.
Revenue in the academic and professional division rose 5.9% to £48.8 million ($65.4 million)from £46.1 million, while adjusted pre-tax profit fell 38.2% to £6.8 million ($9.1 million)from £11 million.
Bloomsbury attributed the decline in part to lower income from its non-exclusive AI licensing agreement, which continued into the current financial year but generated less revenue than in the previous period.
The company highlighted new AI initiatives in its academic division, including a partnership with Google’s Expert Intelligence Initiative, launched in August. The program allows users to engage with expert content through Google’s AI tools. Using Google Gemini Notebook, users can import e-books, ask questions about their contents, and generate personalized study aids.
In April, Bloomsbury announced a major restructuring, with Sabrina McCarthy gaining responsibility for U.S. academic and professional sales and marketing, rights, and audio activity. The new structure began in June.
In September, the company announced a five-year succession plan, with Nigel Newton becoming executive chairman. A new chief executive is expected to be named in two years.
