Vivendi profit rises on ‘World of Warcraft’ players

Vivendi SA, owner of the world’s largest music company, Universal Music Group, said second- quarter profit rose 8 per cent, aided by sales of its gaming unit’s titles “Guitar Hero” and “World of Warcraft.”

Adjusted net income, or profit excluding one-time gains and some costs, rose to 818 million euros ($1.17 billion) from 757 million euros a year earlier, the Paris-based company said in a statement today. Profit on that basis had been seen at 669.7 million euros, according to the average estimate of six analysts in a Bloomberg survey.