Luxottica, Profits Grow and Dividends Rise

The Board of Directors meeting of Luxottica on Monday, May 5, approved the draft of the consolidated financial statement at December 31, 2002, which closed with a turnover of 3,132.2 million euros (+2.2%), an operating profit of 601.5 million (+18.1%) and a net profit of 372.1 million (+17.6%).

At the meeting of the Shareholders called for June 25, the Board of Directors will propose payment of a dividend of 0.21 euros per ordinary share, compared to 0.17 euros of the previous financial year.

The dividend will be paid by Luxottica on July 3, 2003, and the Bank of New York will pay it in US dollars on July 10 at the July 3 exchange rate.

The company, whose president is Leonardo Del Vecchio, then pointed out that the take-over bidfor the Australian company Opsm, announced last April 30, will be financed through debts. The 'friendly'take-over bid Luxottica is preparing to launch on the Australian group has acounter valueof 309 million euros and will be paid in cash at 3.90 Australian dollars per Opsm share.