Lafarge 2007 net profit up 39pc
Paris, February 14, 2008
France's Lafarge posted a 39-per cent jump in 2007 net profit on Thursday, helped by cost savings and strong demand for cement in emerging markets, and forecast another increase in earnings in 2008.
The world's largest cement maker, which confirmed its 2010 financial targets, also said it would increase its 2007 dividend by 33 per cent to 4 euros per share.
The group generated a net income of 1.909 billion euros ($2.78 billion), up from 1.372 billion in 2006, beating an average forecast of 1.818 billion from 21 analysts polled by Reuters.
Current operating profit rose to 3.242 billion euros from 2.772 billion, on sales up 4 per cent to 17.614 billion euros.-Reuters