Operating profit inched up 0.1 billion euros to 13.9 billion last year, the Wolfsburg-based group said in preliminary results, released unexpectedly ahead of its March 12 annual earnings press conference.
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Meanwhile the sprawling 12-brand conglomerate increased unit sales by 0.9 percent to 10.8 million vehicles, a new yearly record -- powering annual revenues up 2.7 percent at €235.8 billion.
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Chief executive Herbert Diess hailed a "good showing in 2018, especially against the background of the switch to WLTP", new emissions tests that proved a massive bottleneck for the whole industry from their introduction in September.
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VW was particularly happy to hit the high end of its profit margin target, at 7.3 percent -- slightly down on 2017's level. But the group said it also spent €3.2 billion -- the same amount as the previous year -- in one-off costs related to its 2015 admission to cheating on regulatory tests for 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide.
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VW's preliminary results release came on the same day as a non-binding opinion from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), Germany's highest tribunal, on claims against the firm over manipulated vehicles.
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Senior judges leaned towards backing customers' claims against Volkswagen, potentially pointing the way for future deliberations in lower courts over the 2.4 million such cars sold in Germany.
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Despite the legal risks and the costs of a massive push for new electric and hybrid models, the supervisory and executive boards proposed an increased dividend of 4.80 euros per share, up from 3.90 for 2017.
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Looking ahead to 2019, the group said it would "slightly exceed" last year's unit sales figure despite challenges from a slowing economy, intensifying competition and volatile exchange rates.
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Revenues should increase by up to 5.0 percent year-on-year and operating profit between 6.5 and 7.5 percent, bosses forecast.
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Investors appeared unmoved by the positive results announcement, with VW shares shedding 0.64 percent to trade at €145.64 late Friday afternoon in Frankfurt.
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