Vicat said on Friday 2007 net profit rose 6.1 per cent as a strong performance in Europe, Africa and the Middle East offset a decline in U.S. earnings.  
 
It said it was confident about its ability to continue improving operational profitability in 2008 "despite the tense economic environment prevalent on certain of its markets, especially in California and Turkey". In a statement, Vicat said net profit rose to EUR299m (US$460.7m) from EUR282m in 2006. Operating profit rose 8.7 percent to EUR480m on sales up 2.6 per cent at EUR2.14bn.  
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