FINANCIAL Times publisher and education group Pearson has reported a 41 per cent fall in first-half profits to £73 million after the firm was hit by higher restructuring charges and currency movements.

Pearson, which did not change its full-year guidance, said it expects to invest £50m in digital services and expanding its emerging market business in 2014. Sales dipped by seven per cent from £2.19 billion to £2.05bn.

Chief executive John Fallon said it was a "good, competitive performance".