Capgemini shares soar on upbeat profit margin outlook

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

PARIS (AFP) — Shares in French information technology services group Capgemini stormed ahead of the pack as the market hailed its outlook for a hefty jump in operating profit margin for 2005, dealers said.

Capgemini shares soared 6.52 percent to 27.79 euros in midday trades on the Paris stock exchange, while the CAC 40 index of leading shares was 0.14 percent lower overall.

The company had earlier beat its own guidance for its operating margin in the second half of 2004 and said it expects a "marked improvement" in 2005.

Second-half margin came in at 2.35 percent driven by European operations, exceeding the group's forecast of two percent.

"Results were finally as expected, with a second-half margin of 2.35 percent compared with the consensus of 1.9...