(updates with profit breakdown, intl ops expansion)
LISBON (AFX) - Banco Portugues de Investimento said full-year net profit rose 23.1 pct to 308.8 mln eur, beating market forecasts on the back of healthy loan growth and across-the-board strength in its banking and trading operations.
The headline figure compared with a range of 285-308 mln eur by analysts polled by AFX News.
The Madeira-based bank, which is currently the subject of a takeover bid by larger domestic rival Banco Comercial Portugues, also set a full-year dividend of 16 cents per share, up 33 pct and representing a payout of around 40 pct of net profits.
Operating profit rose 16.4 pct to 441.7 mln eur, also at the top end of a forecast range of 399-442 mln eur.
Net banking income rose 13.3 pct while BPI's loan book grew 17.5 pct.
Income from financial operations soared 109 pct to 100.6 mln eur.
Looking ahead, BPI said it aims to expand its Angola-based international retail network to 100 branches by end 2007 from the 71 operating at end-2006.
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