BMW lifts net pre-tax profit to record 4.1 billion euros

BMW lifted net pre-tax profit last year to a record 4.1 billion euros (5.4 billion dollars), surpassing its own forecast
of "at least 4 billion euros" for the year, the German automaker told dpa today in Munich.
The figure marked a year-on-year gain of nearly 30 per cent from
the previous year's 3.3 billion euros. BMW attributed the gain to
record sales of its luxury cars as well as one-off profits from a
bond issue. The company said it would lift its dividend to
shareholders.
BMW stock traded 1.5 per cent higher on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange at 43.69 euros after the figures were issued.
-- SPA