French media and telecoms group Vivendi posted an 18 per cent rise in adjusted full-year net profit to €2.61 billion, boosted by its games, French mobile and pay-TV units and by Maroc Telecom.
In results published this morning, the company met expectations of around €2.62 bilion, based on a Reuters poll of 10 analysts.
The group confirmed its 2007 and 2011 targets of adjusted net profit of at least €2.7 billion and between €3.5 billion and €4 billion respectively.
"In 2007, we expect to exceed the records set in 2006, despite the exceptional charges associated with the creation of Canal Plus France and French regulations in the mobile sector," Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said in a statement.
Vivendi also met investors' expectations by lifting its dividend 20 per cent to €1.20 a share for 2006, equal to 53 per cent of the net adjusted profit.
Vivendi made a net profit of €4 billion, while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 16 per cent to €4.15 billion.