Vivendi core earnings rise 7.5%, still studying split

For 2023, earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA) were 934 million euros ($1.02 billion), against 868 million euros posted a year earlier.

(Reuters) -French media group Vivendi on Thursday reported 7.5%growth in its full-year core earnings, helped by its units Havas, Canal+ and the integration of Lagardère, but the group gave no major update on a possible split into four listed companies.

Vivendi is still studying the feasibility of splitting into four separate listed companies, said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman of Vivendi's Supervisory Board, in a statement.

CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine told journalists on a call he presented to the supervisory board earlier on Thursday the progress made in pursuing this project.

"As indicated last December, the completion time for such a transaction would be 12 to 18 months," the company said.

Vivendi will propose an ordinary cash dividend of 0.25 euros per share for 2023, stable compared to a year ago.

(Reporting by Olivier Sorgho;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)