Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (LSE:BMY) reported revenue of £325.9 million for the year ended 28 February 2026, while profit before tax and highlighted items rose 7% to £44.9 million. The publisher said its balanced exposure to both consumer and academic markets continued to provide stability across the business.
The board proposed a 5% increase in the total annual dividend to 16.20p per share, marking the company’s 31st consecutive year of dividend growth and reflecting strong cash generation and a solid balance sheet position.
Academic division drives expansion
The Consumer division experienced difficult year-on-year comparisons, with revenue slipping to £218.2 million and profits declining. Despite this, the segment continued to benefit from bestselling releases and literary award recognition. Bloomsbury is also looking ahead to a strong 2026/27 publishing schedule, including two forthcoming novels from Sarah J. Maas and additional visibility expected from HBO Max’s adaptation of the Harry Potter series.
Academic & Professional delivered the strongest performance within the group, increasing revenue to £107.7 million and profit to £25.0 million. Growth was supported by AI-related licensing agreements, the integration of Rowman & Littlefield and robust demand across international markets.
The company also highlighted ongoing structural simplification measures, a strategic partnership with Google and the launch of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC in Singapore as initiatives expected to improve efficiency and support future international expansion.
Outlook and market positioning
Bloomsbury Publishing’s performance was underpinned by solid financial execution and favourable strategic developments. Management’s cautious financial approach and expanding partnerships are seen as supportive of long-term growth prospects. Technical indicators remain broadly neutral, while valuation measures suggest the shares are trading at reasonable levels.
More about Bloomsbury Publishing
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC is an independent publishing group operating across consumer and academic markets, with a portfolio spanning fiction, non-fiction and professional content. The business combines trade publishing with a growing Academic & Professional segment, while pursuing international expansion and digital learning opportunities through initiatives including its Singapore presence and technology partnerships.
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