World Business Briefing | Europe: France: Profit Up at LâorÃ©al
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LâOrÃ©al, the worldâs largest cosmetics maker, said profit rose in 2006 as the company sold more LancÃ´me luxury makeup and Armani Code perfume. Net income climbed to 1.83 billion euros ($2.4 billion), after adjustment for some items, from 1.64 billion euros in 2005, the company said. Revenue for the year rose 8.7 percent, to 15.8 billion euros. In the fourth quarter, it rose 10 percent, to 4.2 billion euros. Sales of luxury cosmetics rose 5.3 percent in the year, helped by Armani Code perfume, while revenue from antiwrinkle products like Normaderm Nuit from Vichy rose 14 percent. LâOrÃ©al, which is based in Paris, said costs related to the acquisition of the Body Shop retail chain last year and an increase in expenses for research and development would hurt profit this year.
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Europe's largest home improvements group Kingfisher sees profits jump after strong sales growth at its French stores.
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Air France's 800m euro merger with KLM seems to be paying off as it reports upbeat second-quarter profits and forecasts full-year growth.
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The worldâs largest soft drink maker reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday, helped by higher sales, acquisitions and foreign exchange rates.
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French oil giant Total said that 2006 adjusted net profit soared to 15.8 billion dollars, a record figure for any French company that revived pressure on the group to make a greater contribution to the common good.
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France will sell up to 12.1 percent of France Telecom in Europe's largest share placement in four years, bringing as much as $6.95 billion into state coffers.
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European shares nosed back toward 32-month highs on Thursday, boosted by bumper profits and cash returns to shareholders from French oil major Total and Credit Suisse.
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DuPont Co , one of the  largest U.S. chemical makers, said on Tuesday that third-quarter profit rose more than 8 percent on strong sales from its agriculture and nutrition segment, coupled with overseas growth.
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Europeâs largest oil company reported Thursday that fourth-quarter profit rose 60 percent because of the sale of some assets and higher oil prices.
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Hennes &amp; Mauritz AB, Europe's second-largest clothing retailer, said Wednesday its third-quarter net profit jumped 25 percent, boosted by high summer sales.
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Europe&#39;s largest fashion retailer, Hennes &amp; Mauritz AB, on Thursday posted better than expected third-quarter profits and said sales were up despite lowered prices
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PARIS/LONDON  - France will sell up to 12.1  percent of France Telecom in Europe's largest share placement  in four years, bringing as much as 5.75 billion euros ($6.95  billion) into state coffers as it strives to cut national debt.
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France&#39;s largest media company, Vivendi Universal (EAUG.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) , raised its 2004 earnings forecast as it reported a 19 percent increase in third-quarter underlying operating profit, buoyed by a rebound in
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Vivendi Universal, the French owner of the world&#39;s largest record company, said on Wednesday that its third-quarter profit jumped almost sixfold, helped by tax savings.
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French state-controlled electricity group EDF reported on Wednesday a 73.5-percent rise in net profit last year to a record of 5.6 billion euros (7.4 billion dollars), and said it intended to benefit from renewed interest in nuclear energy.
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French banking group Societe Generale has reported that second-quarter net profit rose by 37.9 percent, with its finance and investment divisions posting strong growth amid market volatility.
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European aerospace group EADS reports higher-than-expected profits, boosted by sales in its Airbus plane-making subsidiary.