Hermes 2014 Net Profit Surges

French company

reported a 9% rise in its 2014 net profit. Hermes International's net profit for the year climbed to EUR859 million ($938.5 million), while operating profit rose 7% to 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion). Its operating margin shrank to 31.5%, versus 32.4% in 2013. Sales for the Americas region gained 15% in 2014. Hermes announced its plans to pay a dividend of €2.95 per share, compared to €2.70 per share a year earlier. The company also announced its plans to pay an exceptional dividend of €5 per share. Hermes projects 2015 sales to rise 8%, versus an 11% growth last year.