Capgemini Expects Return To Revenue Growth Later This Year

French IT-services group Capgemini SA (CAP.FR) Thursday said net profit fell in the second-half of 2009 and that it expects revenue to fall further in the first half of this year before a return to growth in the second half of 2010.

Paris-based Capgemini, Europe's largest computer services company, said for the full year 2010 it expects revenue to drop between 2% and 4% on a like-for-like basis, which strips out acquisitions, disposals, and currency movements.

Net profit in the six months ended Dec. 31 was EUR100 million, down from the EUR220 million reported in the same period last year, as revenue fell to EUR4 billion, from EUR4.34 billion. Earnings and revenues met analysts' expectations.

All its businesses except for outsourcing declined amid the economic downturn.

Earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT, in the six months also fell to EUR308 million from EUR412 million a year ago. This gave the company an EBIT margin of 7.7% in the second half.

The company said it plans to pay a dividend of EUR0.8 per share for 2009.

Capgemini shares Wednesday closed at EUR31.68. the stock has lost 0.9% since the start of the year.

-By Ruth Bender, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]