German sporting goods firm Puma saw net profits drop 14.9% to €50m in the second-quarter as marketing costs for the soccer World Cup weighed.
However, turnover rose by 17% to €620m, partly thanks to the World Cup where Puma sponsored winners Italy and had 11 other teams wearing its kit.
Puma, the third biggest firm in the sector after Nike and Adidas, said turnover will increase every year by more than 10% until 2010.
To do so, it is targeting further expansion in Africa and Asia and will introduce new ranges such as swim wear and jeans.
Puma had warned earlier this year that it was expecting lower profits in 2006 because of investment in marketing for the World Cup and expansion into the Asian and African markets.
