Akzo 97 Net

Profits at chemical group Akzo Nobel are set to surge to a new record in 1997 after a buoyant fourth quarter, analysts said on Thursday. According to a Reuters poll of analysts, the company is set to post full-year net profit of 1,563-1,770 million guilders, with consensus at around 1,613 million. In 1996 Akzo reported record net profits of 1,318 million guilders.