Dutch mail group TNT today reported revenues up 7.8% to EUR 10.06 billion in 2006, compared to EUR9.33 billion in 2005.
Full-year operating income (EBIT) rose 11.1% to EUR 1.27 billion, from EUR 1.15 billion in2005, with net profit attributable to shareholders rising 1.7% to EUR 670 million from EUR 659million in 2005.
Earnings per share rose 9.9% to EUR 1.59 from EUR 1.45 the previous year. Cash generated fromoperations rose 14% to EUR 1.34 billion. The 2006 dividend proposed to be shared is EUR 292million, 7% higher than the year before.
“Our continuing operations have delivered robust results, with the record operating margin inExpress and further cost efficiencies in Mail Netherlands, all leading to a double digit operatingincome growth,” commented TNT chief executive Peter Bakker.
“The logistics and freight management activities have been successfully divested. We haveaccelerated revenue growth in several key areas including Express emerging markets, with importantacquisitions in India, Brazil and soon China, as well as in the UK and German Mail businesses,“ headded.
Fourth-quarter operating income increased by 11.3% to EUR 355 million, from EUR 319 millionduring the same period the year before, driven by 28% growth in European Mail Networks and a recordmargin for the express segment of 10.7%, compared to 10.3% in Q4 2005.
Q4 revenues rose to EUR 2.76 billion, up 7.6% from EUR 2.57 billion for the same quarter in2005. Net Q4 profit increased by 75% to EUR 189 million from EUR 108 million in Q4 2005.
TNT shares fell in early trading on Monday, by 1.63% (56 Euro cents) to EUR 33.77 on theAmsterdam Stock Exchange.
The group, a target of takeover speculation, also announced a further EUR 400 million sharerepurchase.
