Companie de Saint-Gobain SA said 22 March 2007 that it will propose a dividend of EUR 1.7/share for 2006 at its annual general meeting in June 2007, a 25% increase on the dividend paid in 2005. The buildings materals company also confirmed a 30% rise in 2006 net profit to EUR 1.64BN (1.26BN) in 2005. The final figures were the same as preliminary estimates released 25 January 2007. Saint Gobain confirmed that its earnings before interest and taxes rose by a better-than-expected 30% to EUR 3.71BN in 2006 (2.86BN). Saint-Gobain reiterated expectations for "robust" growth in EBIT & double-digit growth in net profit, excluding capital gains & losses on asset sales. At the 7 June 2007 general meeting, Saint-Gobain's Chairman & CEO Jean-Louis Beffa will step down & will be succeeded by current deputy MD, Pierre-Andre de Chalendar.
