Mondi 2014 Profit Surges, Lifts Dividend

Mondi PLC MONDY reported a rise in its 2014 profit and raised its dividend by 17%. Mondi's net profit for the year climbed to 471 million euros ($534.6 million), from EUR386 million, in the year-ago period. Profit before tax surged to 619 million euros versus 499 million euros, last year. Excluding items, the company's pre-tax profit climbed to 671 million euros from 586 million euros. Earnings per share jumped to 97.1 euro cents, versus 79.6 euro cents. Its revenue fell to EUR6.40 billion from EUR6.48 billion. Mondi's board declared a final dividend of 28.77 cents per share, versus 26.45 cents per share in 2013.