Wolters Kluwer will find opportunities while its closest rivals are preoccupied with the integration of large acquisitions, its chief executive has said, as she defended the professional publisher’s growth rates and strategy.

Shares in the Dutch group have fallen by 10 per cent since full-year results on February 27 in which it met expectations for 2007, but lowered its outlook for organic revenue growth, profit margins and free cash flow in 2008. Last week, the stock touched its lowest point since 2005.