Ubisoft sets ambitious growth targets as FY05 results beat expectations

French publisher Ubisoft intends to double in size and triple its net income within the next four years, according to CEO Yves Guillemot, who was commenting on the strong full-year results announced by the firm today.

Today's results, covering the year ended March 31st 2005, saw Ubisoft grow its sales by around 8 per cent at fixed exchange rates to 538 million Euro, while net income (before amortisation of goodwill) was up to 27.2 million Euro, reversing last year's loss of 2.7 million Euro.

Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia and Ghost Recon are highlighted as the key established brands which drove sales for the company, while new franchise Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 was also a major success.

The firm - whose future has recently been the subject of intense speculation as investors anticipate a possible takeover bid by giant competitor Electronic Arts, which took 20 per cent of the company's stock in a hostile move before Christmas - has even bigger ambitions for next year, however.

"These positive trends will continue," predicted Guillemot in a statement today. "For this year, we expect sales to reach approximately 600 million euros and operating income to be about 55 million euros, at constant exchange rates. For the next four years, we have the ambition to double in size and to triple our net income."