PRINTING group St Ives maintained its profits guidance yesterday after its books division was kept busy by the sixth novel in the Harry Potter series.
The group, which has an estimated 25 per cent share of the UK trade and general book market, did not provide details on levels of activity at its Clays books arm, but it said recent trading across St Ives had been in line with hopes.
It warned in February that underlying profits for the year to July 29 were unlikely to better last year's figure of £39.7m, as it faced up to the impact of "extremely competitive pricing and volatile demand".
While the books business had been busy, St Ives said yesterday the market for company reports had been competitive and the demand for point-of-sale products - such as posters and other marketing items used by retailers - had been steady.
In other sectors, St Ives said markets continued to be affected by over-capacity and fiercely competitive pricing.
The group also has an operation printing titles that range from Vogue and Woman & Home to Investors Chronicle and House & Garden.
Its customers in the US include Avon and Royal Caribbean.
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