Penguin Random House revenue rises but profit falls in first half of 2026

Penguin Random House reported first-half 2026 revenue of €2.376 billion, up 2.3 percent, while adjusted operating EBITDA — operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation — fell €4 million to €251 million. The world's largest trade publisher attributed the decline to higher costs and negative exchange rate effects. Parent Bertelsmann, by contrast, grew group profit 45 percent.