TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co , the world's most profitable car maker, reported on Monday an 11.9 percent jump in annual operating profit thanks to robust sales in the lucrative U.S. market, and forecast further growth this year.
Japan's third-biggest auto maker, owned 44 percent by France's Renault SA , said operating profit was 824.86 billion yen ($7.56 billion) in the year ended March 31, basically in line with analysts' consensus estimate of 830 billion yen.
Net profit grew by 1.7 percent to 503.67 billion yen as sales climbed 8.8 percent to 7.429 trillion yen.
A drop in the dollar's value against the yen, increased R&D and advertising costs weighed on profits, but those factors were outdone by improved sales volume and product mix.
With turnaround king Carlos Ghosn at the helm, Nissan has gone from near-bankruptcy in 1999 to a money-making machine as it attacked the most profitable segments with luxury cars and light trucks in the crucial U.S. market.
For this business year, Nissan forecast a 4.3 percent rise in operating profit to 860 billion yen as it continues to drive into untapped segments and markets. The added inclusion of Chinese earnings in operating profit will also lift that number.
Shares in Nissan gained 46 percent during the 12-month period, in line with the broader market's rise. ($1=109.04 yen)