Daimler sees record profit for year, ups dividend

Frankfurt: German car and truck maker Daimler AG is reporting record profits for last year as sales of the company’s luxury cars rose despite a troubled global economy. And that means more cash for investors and workers. The company is raising its dividend to €3.25 (Dh13.34, $3.60) per share, from €2.45, and will be soon be sending fat profit-sharing checks of €5,650 ($6,215) per eligible worker, also a record high. Net profit for the year rose to €8.9 billion from €7.3 billion in 2014, while revenue jumped to €149.5 billion. Sales of the company’s Mercedes-Benz luxury cars rose 16 per cent. Truck and bus businesses did less well, hit by weak markets in Latin America.