Vivendi Profits Rise on Telecom, TV, and Video Games

by Reuters News on 29 February 2008, 08:37

Categories: Media - Communications - Finance
Topics: vivendi , video games , Universal Music , World of Warcraft , pay-TV , Maroc Telecom

 
Vivendi on Friday posted an 8.3 percent rise in adjusted full-year net profit, pulled by Maroc Telecom, its pay-TV group, and its video games unit behind the popular World of Warcraft game.

The French telecoms and media group reported adjusted net earnings of 2.83 billion euros ($4.27 billion) in the 12 months to December 31, above forecasts of 2.809 billion euros based on Reuters Estimates from February 27.

The group proposed a dividend of 1.3 euros a share, which represents 53.5 percent of adjusted net income and an 8.3 percent increase on the 2006 payout.

Vivendi said it expected profitability in 2008 to improve as it did in 2007.

Earnings before interest, tax and amortization (EBITA) rose 8 percent to 4.721 billion euros.

Vivendi also owns the world's biggest record company Universal Music Group and controls France's second largest mobile operator SFR.