Yell Group, the UK-based directory provider, said it was on track to meet full-year expectations after reporting strong profit growth in the first quarter.

Pre-tax profits rose 26.5 per cent year-on-year to £70.7m ($122.3m) for the three months to June 30, on sales that were 11.6 per cent higher at £313.6m. Earnings per share was 6.7p, 21.8 per cent up on 2004.