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£133m Aegis in confident mood
Nick Goodway, Evening Standard19.03.08
Aegis, Europe's biggest buyer of advertising space and airtime, is upbeat about its prospects in 2008 despite being cautious about the economic outlook around the world.
Chief executive Robert Lerwill, who has spent much of the last two years keeping French raider and his largest shareholder Vincent Bolloré at bay, said: "The first couple of months of this year are in line with our expectations. We have good antennae out there through our clients, and there is no sign of a downturn so far. Even if there were, I suspect companies will go on spending to maintain their market share."
Aegis comfortably beat City forecasts with pre-tax profits up 14% at £132.7 million last year on revenues 11% higher at £1.1 billion. The group won media-buying pitches with Fox and Mattel worldwide and Johnson & Johnson in Europe and the Middle East.
The dividend for the year jumps 21% to 2.3p.
