The group in January bought 50 shops from competitor Miracle-Ear in the U.S., aiming to expand its presence in the Americas to offset slowing demand in Europe.

Shares in the Milan-based group rose more than 5% following the group's results on Thursday.

The world's largest retailer of hearing aids expects profitability to grow this year, with a recurring core profit (EBITDA) margin above 24.6%.

It posted recurring EBITDA of 155.8 million euros ($169.7 million) in the last quarter, unchanged from a year earlier, and revenues up by 6% to 615 million euros.

It pledged to return a dividend of 0.29 euros per share, also in line with last year.

Amplifon also said it ask shareholders to authorise a new buyback programme for up to 10% of its share capital after the current one expires in October. ($1 = 0.9179 euros)

(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi; editing by Jason Neely and Keith Weir)