COE OF GERMAN UTILIY GROUP VIAG WILHELM SIMSON IN MUNICH, 1999-03-31 (photo)

Wilhelm Simson, chairman of German utility group VIAG gestures prior to the company's annual news conference in Munich March 31. German diversified utility Viag said on Wednesday it expected to report a satisfactory group result for 1999 which would be at around last year's level. "A full-year result of around last year's level should be achievable," Viag said in a statement. Presenting 1998 results, Viag said group net profit rose to 1.508 billion marks ($827.2 million) from 1.216 billion. Turnover rose to 49.121 billion marks from 49.545 billion. Viag said it expected costs at its main energy unit and its industrial units to decrease in 1999 but for costs at its telecoms units to rise. Viag said costs at its telecoms interests - Viag Interkom, Connect Austria and Orange communications SA - would rise to around 950 million marks in 1999 from around 700 million marks last year. MIK