Atos to spin off payments business

Atos Origin reported a 6.6% operating profit margin on a turnover up 0.8% to €8.44 billion in 2012 from €8.78 billion a year earlier. 

The UK and Ireland business unit grew its revenue 7.5% to €1.68 billion in 2012, and its other big division, Germany, raised sales 0.6% to €1.69 billion. Atos said it met all its targets for the year, with a 36% increase in its margin to €580 million, statutory revenue up 30% and a net profit up 23% to €224 million (€0.60 EPS). The company expects to raise its operating margin to 7.5% on a slightly higher turnover this year and to increase its dividend 25%.

Atos announced that it will carve out its payment and merchant transactional activities around Atos Worldline and specific transactional businesses, a move expected to be finalised by the middle of the year. The activities to be spun off had a 15% operating margin on sales up 5% to €1.1 billion in 2012. The carve-out will create a new entity in the worldwide payment arena, with more efficient management and financial flexibility for growth, Atos said.