Vivendi 2006 net profit rises to 2.6 bln euros

PARIS, March 7 (Reuters) French media and telecoms group Vivendi posted an 18 percent rise in adjusted full-year net profit to 2.61 billion euros (.4 billion) on Wednesday, boosted by its games, French mobile and pay-TV units and by Maroc Telecom.

Vivendi owns Universal Music Group, whose best-selling artists last year included U2 and Snow Patrol. Vivendi's games businesses include World of Warcraft, the online role-playing game which has about 8 million players globally.

In results published on Wednesday the company met expectations of around 2.62 bilion euros, 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 euros and between 3.5 billion and 4 billion euros 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 percent to 1.20 euros a share for 2006, equal to 53 percent of the net adjusted profit.

Vivendi made a net profit of 4 billion euros, beating a forecast of 3.63 billion euros based on the Reuters poll. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 16 percent to 4.15 billion euros.

REUTERS PV PM1402