Sales rose 12 percent in the first quarter at Lagardere Publishing, to 463 million euros, as the company sold over 18 million copies of Stephenie Meyer books worldwide. Foreign exchange had “a negative effect” of 9 million euros, with the pound weakening and the dollar strengthening during the period. That left Hachette Book Group in the US with 20 percent of the company’s sales, and Hachette UK at 18 percent. The company acknowledges that the first quarter percentage increase was helped by “a flattering comparative” and says that “while Lagardère Publishing is ahead of budget for the first three months […]