REA Group (ASX:REA) reported Friday fiscal first-quarter operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of AU$254 million, up from AU$243 million a year earlier.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected AU$248 million.

Revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30 was AU$429 million, compared with AU$413 million the previous year.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected AU$430 million.

The group said it continues to target double-digit residential buy yield growth and expects core operating expenses to increase by mid-single digits. High single-digit cost growth is expected on an underlying basis.