Eircom has posted a 1 per cent fall in core earnings in results that were brought forward in a sign a takeover deal could be imminent.
Australian investment firm Babcock & Brown began examining Eircom's books last month after approaching the group with a possible offer that would value it at €2.36 billion.
Eircom said that due diligence and discussions were continuing.
Eircom reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the year to the end of March of €601 million. The mid-range consensus forecast on Reuters Estimates was for €582.1 million.
Revenue was up 6 per cent to €1.693 billion, in line with analyst forecasts.
Eircom chief executive Philip Nolan said: "This year Eircom has continued to deliver on the three strands of our stated strategy, driving performance in our core fixed line business, growing broadband and capturing value in mobile."
All of this has been achieved against a backdrop of significant corporate activity, including the highly successful rights issue to fund the Meteor purchase." The company said it now had 250,000 broadband customers.
Profits at the fixed line business fell 2 per cent to €597 million; mobile group Meteor contributed a €4 million profit for the four months since it was taken over by eircom.
Meteor now has 625,000 subscribers, and Eircom said the group had added 60,000 in the final three months of the financial year.
A second interim dividend of 5.2 cent for the year has been approved by the board.