SHANGHAI Xinhua Media Co said yesterday that it expected its first-quarter net profit to more than double thanks to its expanded business scope and improved profitability.

The Shanghai-listed firm said that its net profit in the first three months of 2007 was 15.86 million yuan (US$2.26 millikon), or 0.06 yuan per share, without giving a specific figure for the first-quarter profit this year. The firm said that its main business has been expanded to include media management, advertising and logistics services.