FRANKFURT, May 21 (Reuters) - German publishing and ecommerce group Axel Springer said first-quarter adjusted operating earnings more than doubled, driven by media outlets Politico and Bild as well as price comparison site Idealo.

The company reported adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of €54.1 million ($62.80 million), up 123% year-on-year.

It added that it expects adjusted earnings to grow by a high single-digit percentage in 2026.

"Our new corporate structure at Axel Springer has proven effective" CEO Mathias Doepfner said in a statement, flagging expansion in the U.S. including the acquisition of real estate and events platform Bisnow.

Axel Springer also said it was close to completing the acquisition of the British Telegraph Media group which it announced in April for a sum of £575 million ($772.17 million).

($1 = 0.7447 pounds)