Adidas Announces Record Year for Sales

German sporting goods manufacturer Adidas-Salomon on Thursday reported a 10-percent increase in sales during 2002 and preliminary sales figures of 6.5 billion euros ($6.98 billion) -- marking the single biggest year in the company’s history. The world’s second-largest sports apparel-maker said profits rose to 229 million euros and that it would increase its dividend payments on company stock from 92 euro cents to 1 euro per share. The company is due to release its final results for the year on March 11.