Borders in black but flags sell-off - Business - Evening Standard
       

Borders in black but flags sell-off

Bookseller Borders has signalled it may offload some of its international businesses despite returning to profit in the fourth quarter.

The company has already shed its UK operations, selling its British and Irish subsidiaries to private-equity group Risk Capital Partners for £10 million.

Borders today suspended its quarterly dividend as chief executive George Jones said progress would be slowed by worsening economic conditions.

He said Borders had launched a strategic review that would investigate options for the business.

Net profits came in at $64.7 million (£31.9 million) against a $73.6 million loss this time last year.

Sales rose to $1.3 billion, representing a 2.8% increase on a year ago after excluding the impact of the extra week in fiscal 2006, according to the company.

Borders took a one-time $125.7 million after-tax loss related to the sale of its UK and Ireland operations.

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