The Guardian now claims more unique website browsers in the United States than in the United Kingdom.
In a full-year trading update published today, Guardian Media Group said its digital revenue was up by 20 per cent to more than £80m.
The report said that more than half of The Guardian's 121.7m unique monthly browsers were coming from mobile devices.
And it noted that its Australian unique browser audience has grown by 60 per cent year on year, and in the US by 37 per cent to make it bigger than the UK online. The Guardian launched websites for Australia and the US in May 2013 and September 2011 respectively.
The trading update, based on unaudited figures for the financial year to 29 March, also said GMG expected to report “a third consecutive year of revenue growth”. It said that revenues were up 3 per cent to more than £215m, which was “driven primarily” by digital revenue.
It said: “Rising digital sales more than offset slowing print newspaper circulation and volatile advertising demand.
“As a result, GMG expects group losses from continuing operations to narrow for the financial year. Underlying operating losses at Guardian News & Media – the group’s main business unit – are likely to be broadly flat year-on-year, reflecting continued investment in developing the business.”
GMG chief executive Andrew Miller, who is to leave the company June, said: “I’m pleased that the Guardian is delivering on its promises: to increase revenues, invest for the future and maintain a disciplined financial approach."
He described 2014 as "the year we secured the financial future of The Guardian". Miller added: "This year we must prioritise targeted investment and strategic delivery.”
Editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, who is also leaving this summer, said: "Thanks to our balance sheet transformation, we can look forward to a period of targeted investment in the world-class journalism, digital excellence and increasingly international readership that is now the hallmark of The Guardian.”
Neil Berkett, chair of GMG, said: “The outstanding partnership between Andrew and Alan has positioned GMG to pursue continued revenue growth and significant investment. This promises to be another year of encouraging progress as our business and editorial transformation continues.”
GMG has a cash and investment fund of more than £800m, which includes proceeds from the 2014 sale of its 50.1 per cent stake in Trader Media Group.
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