Groupe Danone, Paris, said last month that its profit almost tripled last year, helped by a gain on the sale of its sauces unit.

Net income rose to $1.7 billion, from $535 million in 2004, Danone says.

Sales grew 6.1% to $15.5 billion. Danone's stock has gained 8.4 % in the past six months, and 25% in the last year.