Vivendi profits surge 55% in "

French media group Vivendi Universal reported a 55% jump in net earnings for 2005, driven by a return to profit by its video games business and strong growth from its music division, an AFP report said.

 

The company said net earnings, excluding exceptional items recorded in 2004, rose to $2.078 billion euros.

 

The report quoted management board chairman Jean-Bernard Levy as saying that the company expected further improvement in growth and profitability.

 

"Our strategy is bearing fruit and we are continuing to invest in creation and content as well as in developing subscriber loyalty and technologies of the future," he said in the AFP report.