Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury expects fantasy novel demand to improve earnings

Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury Publishing forecast annual profit and revenue ahe of market expectations on Thursday, encouraged by reers picking up more fantasy fiction novels by authors such as Sarah J Maas and JK Rowling.

Demand for several books including "Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac", official companion to JK Rowling's books and children's' Christmas book "We're Going on a Sleigh Ride" has been on rise in recent months, London-listed publisher said.

"I am delighted to report a strong period of tring which is principally driven by continued phenomenal demand for fantasy fiction," CEO Nigel Newton said in a statement.

Analysts on average expect full-year profit before tax and highlighted items to be 32.9 million pounds ($41.3 million), with revenue of 274.2 million pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus.

publisher, best known for picking up JK Rowling's Harry Potter series in 1997 after its rejection by a dozen ors, said its non-consumer division which includes digital acemic resources, was tring in line with expectations.