Reed benefits from electronic publishing growth The Anglo-Dutch group, which owns the LexisNexis legal database and publishes New Scientist and Farmers Weekly, said underlying growth was running at 3pc. But its successful digital and "face-to-face" - or exhibitions and conferences - businesses now account for 83 pc of the group's turnover. Overall the company reported better-than-expected first-half earnings, thanks to stronger results across all its divisions, particularly its Risks Solutions division, which sells data and analytics to customers in insurance, business and government to help detect fraud and other risks. "The operating momentum in our business remains positive as we enter the second half," Erik Engstrom, chief executive, said, reiterating that he expects further revenue and earnings growth for the full year. Underlying adjusted operating profit in the first six months of the year rose 6pct to £870m, while underlying revenue rose 2pc to £3.025bn. Mr Engstrom also said the group would increase the size of this year's share buybacks by about £200m to a total of £600m, and announced an 11pc increase in the interim dividend to 6.65 pence a share. "With a strong balance sheet and strong cash flow characteristics we will take a pragmatic approach to ensuring that the value compounding within the business translates into shareholder value," Mr Engstrom said.