(Reuters) – French media group Vivendi reported a 39.3 percent rise in adjusted operating profit (EBITA) to 619 million euros ($730 million) in the first half of the year on Thursday, driven by the consolidation of Lagardère and growth at Havas.
“Our various businesses have demonstrated their dynamism, both in terms of internal and external growth, the strength of their respective economic models and their ability to transform and adapt to their environment and the expectations of their customers,” said Arnaud de Puyfontaine, Chairman of the Executive Board, in a press release.
The group, which is considering listing Canal+ in London and Havas in Amsterdam as part of its planned split, said it was looking to the rest of the year with confidence.
Arnaud de Puyfontaine also said on Thursday that he was not aware that Iliad had expressed interest in the French media group’s stake in Telecom Italia. Vivendi is the Italian operator’s largest shareholder, with a stake of around 24%.
“I am not aware of any approach or discussion with Iliad,” he said during a conference call with journalists, when asked about a report in the Italian press that Iliad founder Xavier Niel had approached him with a view to acquiring a stake.
Iliad is seen as a potential investor in Telecom Italia, which recently sold its fixed-line infrastructure.
(Written by Diana Mandiá, with Gianluca Lo Nostro and Olivier Cherfan, edited by Kate Entringer)
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