17 Nov 2009 09:59

VimpelCom boosts RAS earnings 55% to 51 bln rubles in 9M

MOSCOW. Nov 17 (Interfax) - VimpelCom boosted net profit to Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) 55% year-on-year in January-September to 51.01 billion rubles, the No.2 Russian cellular provider said in materials.

Sales revenue grew 15% to 149.66 billion rubles, costs more than doubled to 84.465 billion rubles and operating profit rose 15% to 65.195 billion rubles.

The board has recommended an interim dividend of 190.13 rubles per ordinary share or $0.32 per ADR for the 9M. The total payout could be 9.75 billion rubles, or $324 million at the official exchange rate for September 30.

Thus, the dividends would amount to 19% of RAS net profit for the 9M. They will be put to the vote on December 17.

VimpelCom's main shareholders ate Russia's Altimo with 44% and Norway's Telenor with 29.9%.