PARIS, Feb 6, 2008 (AFP) - French luxury products group LVMH reported on Wednesday, February 6th that net profit rose eight percent last year to a record of 2.03 billion euros (2.96 billion euros) despite unfavourable exchange rates.

Donna Karan collection 2008

The group set a target for a "marked increase in results" for 2008.

The 2007 profit figures were slightly below analyst forecasts for 2.07 billion euros.

In 2006, net profit had risen 30 percent.

Operating profit in 2007 rose 12 percent to 3.55 billion euros, exceeding analyst forecasts for 3.45 billion euros. Sales also did better than expected, rising eight percent to 16.48 billion euros compared with an estimated 16.43 billion euros.

LVMH said that the results were particularly notable because the negative impact of exchange rates, a reference to the strength of the euro, had again been heavy, mainly in the second half of the year.

On a basis of constant exchange rates, operating profit had risen 20 percent, it said.