I show $2.89 in earnings for CY2011 and $2.00 in dividends paid for a total of $4.89 on $38.57 in revenue per share, dividends + earnings = 12.6% revenue. That is very high for a mature company in a competitive market. I'll use WalMart as an example -- $132.91 revenue per share, $1.53 in dividends, and $4.74 in EPS for 4.7% of revenue.
Dividends are paid out of earnings so adding dividends to earnings is not an accurate way to understand a company's finances.
Revenues last year were $110,875.
Earnings (profit after expenses including depreciation): $2,404
Profit margin was 2.16% for 2011.
Walmart did about 3.5% for 2011.
Aleyan has a very valid question which is much more interesting than the original story. I would love to hear some people's opinions on why it is so expensive to provide highspeed internet.
12% is high but, if I recall correctly, French telcos are way above that. Some news report from a year ago claimed something about 30%, but I don't remember if it was average or one of the trio. This was about the time the trio lost the fight to prevent government from allowing a fourth competitor to enter the market.
