A Vinci worker cleaned up near a damaged payment booth that was set on fire in December near Marseille following Yellow Vest protests (GERARD JULIEN)

Paris (AFP) – France’s Vinci said Wednesday that its revenue and net profit rose last year despite the “yellow vest” protests crimping performance of its motorway concessions, and said it was optimistic for 2019.

Revenues rose by 8.6 percent last year to 43.5 billion euros ($49.5 billion) while net profit climbed by 8.1 percent to 2.98 billion euros.

While motorway operators have been targeted by “yellow vest” protesters angered at a loss of purchasing power, who have damaged toll booths and let drivers through free of charge, Vinci still saw its revenue from highway concessions rise 1.5 percent for the year as a whole.

However, the revenue fell by 5 percent in the final quarter of the year when the protests were at their height.

Motorway operators including Vinci have been pressured into offering discounts for regular customers after concern by the government an agreed increase in tolls would further inflame the “yellow vest” movement.

Results in Vinci’s other business areas were also solid.

Its airport management arm saw revenues climb by 15 percent, even though its acquisition of London Gatwick has not yet been included in the figures.

Vinci’s main business segment, construction, saw revenues rise by 9 percent and its order book also increase.

The firm’s chief executive Xavier Huillard said Vinci “is confident moving into 2019 and is projecting further growth in its revenue and net income.”

Vinci’s shares rose by 0.5 percent in initial trading on the Paris stock exchange, while the main CAC 40 index was down 0.3 percent.

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