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FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German automaker Volkswagen says net profit rose 20 percent last year to 10.8 billion euros ($12.1 billion), but offered a cautious outlook for this year.
The maker of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and SEAT brand cars said Friday that it increased its profit margins during 2014 and proposed to raise its dividend to shareholders.
For 2015, however, it saw a "persistently challenging market environment." It said sales would increase by at least 4 percent, "depending on economic conditions."
Volkswagen warned that economic trends in Latin America and Eastern Europe could affect its commercial vehicles and power engineering businesses. Russia's economy appears headed for recession after a sharp drop in the ruble and its recent conflict with Ukraine has undermined business confidence in Eastern Europe.
CEO Martin Winterkorn said in a statement that "despite the difficult economic environment, we achieved our goals for 2014."
Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said in outlining the company's forecast for this year that "given the subdued growth prospects in regions outside China, there is no guarantee that 2015 will be a successful year — either for the industry or for the Volkswagen Group."
Sales revenue rose 2.8 percent last year to 202.5 billion euros. Volkswagen said it would raise its dividend to 4.80 euros per ordinary share, up from 4.00 euros in 2013.
It said its operating margins improved to 6.3 percent from 5.9 percent, reaching the upper range of its forecast for the year of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent.
Volkswagen shares traded down 1.4 percent after the announcement at 215.90 euros.
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