Yelllow pages publisher sees web strategy reap profit

Idearc hope to stem tide of falling investor confidence as information search market goes online

Traditional directories are going out of fashion

Yellow pages publisher Idearc saw quarterly profit rise 7.8 per cent to $111m (£56m) year on year, thanks to a more web-focused strategy.

The company reported internet revenue of $73m (£37m) in the first quarter, a 7.4 per cent increase over the same period in 2007.

"We remain committed to our multi-product strategy, which we believe will ultimately maximise value to our investors," said acting chief executive Frank Gatto.

The company is looking to expand its internet-based products as shares have fallen 91 per cent over the past year thanks to investor concern over the profitability of traditional print directories.