French cement maker Vicat '07 net profit up 6.1 pct

PARIS, March 7 (Reuters) - France's third biggest cement group Vicat (VCTP.PA) said on Friday 2007 net profit rose 6.1 percent as a strong performance in Europe, Africa and the Middle East offset a decline in U.S. earnings.

It said it was confident about its ability to continue improving operational profitability in 2008 "despite the tense economic environment prevalent on certain of its markets, especially in California and Turkey". In a statement, Vicat said net profit rose to 299 million euros ($460.7 million) from 282 million in 2006. Operating profit rose 8.7 percent to 480 million euros on sales up 2.6 percent at 2.14 billion.

Vicat said it would propose a 15.4 percent rise in its dividend to 1.50 euros a share and it would cancel 4 percent of treasury shares. (Reporting by Nick Antonovics; Editing by David Holmes)