VW proposes 35% dividend increase as 2019 profit surges 22%

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Volkswagen said its full-year operating profit rose 22% to 17 billion euros ($18.5 bln) thanks to strong sales of higher-margin cars including sports utility vehicles and said sales in 2020 would be in line with the previous year.

Volkswagen also said it will propose a dividend of 6.50 euros per ordinary share, up from 4.80 euros in the year-earlier period.

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Michelle Martin)