IDC Interactive Data Corp.

Publisher Pearson PLC (PSON.LN) Friday said first quarter revenue was up 7% to GBP1.08 billion, underpinned by its extensive education operations, and reiterated that it expects another year of underlying profit growth.

Chief Executive Marjorie Scardino said the first quarter "never tells us a great deal about the full year but our direction of travel is encouraging."

"Our leadership in global education and the rapid growth of our digital and services businesses across Pearson continue to propel strong trading," she added.

Despite remaining cautious about the economic outlook, the group is "confident we can build on our consistent record of profit growth this year," Scardino said ahead of the group's annual shareholder meeting in London later Friday.

At constant currencies, revenue was up 12% in the first quarter ended March 31. The group didn't release first quarter profit numbers or forecasts for the full year.

Pearson publishes the Financial Times and Penguin books but is dominated by its huge education division with imprints including FT Prentice Hall, Longman and York Notes. Education accounts for around 60% of its total earnings and sales.

Earlier this month, Pearson posted market-beating 2009 earnings and sales and increased its dividend by 5%, buoyed by its extensive education operations in the U.S., digital learning and the strength of the dollar against sterling. It also forecast another profitable year, but declined to give specific guidance numbers for 2010.

Pearson shares closed at 1050 pence Thursday, valuing the company at GBP8.40 billion. The stock has risen 51% more than 12 months on the back of solid trading and market hopes it will get a good price for its 61% stake in Interactive Data Corp. (IDC).

-By Lilly Vitorovich, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-0-207 842 9290; lilly.vitorovich@dowjones.com

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