Eurazeo 2009 Net Loss Almost Triples

French investment company Eurazeo (RF.FR) Monday said its net loss almost tripled in 2009, as it booked fewer capital gains and recorded losses from equity affiliates, derivatives and investment properties.

Eurazeo's net loss for 2009 increased to EUR199.3 million from EUR68 million in 2008. The company recorded EUR39.4 million of losses at its equity affiliates compared with earnings of EUR69.1 million in 2008 and booked capital gains of EUR217.6 million versus EUR310.9 million a year earlier.

But the investment company said its operational performance improved in the second half of the year.

"The operating performance by the group's companies improved significantly in the second half as a result of the adaptation measures undertaken. Our investments are now well-positioned to benefit from the economic recovery," chairman of the executive board, Patrick Sayer, said.

"We have liquid assets of EUR704 million, allowing us to seize opportunities and to support our investments in their expansion," he added.

Eurazeo maintained its divided for 2009 at EUR1.2 a share as it improved its own liquidity, chairman of the supervisory board, Michel David-Weill, said.

Eurazeo's net asset value at Dec. 31, 2009, was EUR64.2 a share, versus EUR53.4 a share a year earlier, the company said.

-By William Horobin, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]

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