Atos Origin returned to profit in 2007, as net income rose to €48m (£35.9m) from a loss of €160 (£119.8m) the previous year.

Overall revenue rose 8.5 per cent to during €5.85bn (£4.38m), up from €5.39bn (£4.04m) in 2006.

"2008 will be a turning point with the acceleration and the strengthening of the transformation plan," said chief executive Philippe Germond.

"We have now established the foundations that will allow us to improve competitiveness, and to increase substantially our profitability."

Atos Origin will pay shareholders a dividend of €0.40 (30p) per share at the forthcoming annual general meeting, the first payment since the company was listed on the stock exchange in 1995.