Hermes Posts Upbeat 2011 Profit, Lifts Dividend

Hermes International HESAY reported better-than-expected full-year profit and lifted its dividend by 33%. Hermes will pay shareholders 2 euros a share on 2011 earnings, versus 1.50 euros per share, in the year-earlier period. Hermes' full-year net income surged 41% to 594 million euros, beating analysts' estimates of 560 million. Hermes shares closed at $32.36 yesterday.