The semi Telefonica better than expected

Telefonica announces a 9.4% increase in earnings in the first half, exceeding expectations, the strength of its overseas operations to compensate for the weakness of its domestic market, Spain.

The Spanish division of the group, which generates one third of total turnover, has been hit hard by the recession and caused concern to investors. But the group said Thursday she was showing signs of improvement.

He has limited the decline in sales to 3.2% in the second quarter, against 5.7% in the first three months of the year.

"These results are solid at all levels, a recovery in Spain offsetting recent fears of a slowdown in consumption.Business in Latin America is solid, "said David Wright, an analyst specializing in telecommunications from Deutsche Bank, adding that the group's activities in Britain and Germany will also reflect well.

The first operator of the euro zone by market capitalization has made a net profit of 3.78 billion euros in the first half, against forecasts for 3.68 billion euros by 10 analysts polled by Reuters.Its first half sales rose to 29.05 billion euros against 28.55 billion expected.

After weeks of fierce fighting, Telefonica has achieved his ends Wednesday in announcing an agreement with Portugal Telecom to repurchase shares of Portuguese in the Brazilian mobile operator Vivo.

In Latin America, which generates 40% of sales, group sales rose 10.2% and gross operating income of 6.1%.

The control of Vivo should allow the group to increase the number of subscribers in Brazil, giving it top spot in this coveted market.

For its part, France Telecom said Thursday a decline in sales and profit margins in the second quarter, but he confirmed the level of its dividend until 2012.