Pearson won't rule out sale of the FT

Pearson would not rule out a sale of the Financial Times, according to the publishing group's chief financial officer Robin Freestone.

"We look at the ownership of that and say 'Are we the best owners for it?'" he told investors. "So far the answer is yes. That could change."

Analysts believe this may happen when Pearson's chief executive Dame Marjorie Scardino steps down in January.

She will be replaced by John Fallon, the head of Pearson's international education business.