Pharmaceutical and chemical giant Merck (in the photo, chairman Karl-Ludwig Kley) reported a jump in profits thanks to sales achieved in 2007 and is also confident about this year's results. Net profits more than tripled to 3.5 billion euros, driven by sales of generics. Merck will propose an ordinary dividend of 1.20 euros per share against 90 cents in 2006, as well as an extraordinary dividend of 2 euros per share. Il Sole 24 Ore of 02/19/2008 FINANCE AND MARKETS p. 45
