Alcatel-Lucent to shed 4,000 more jobs by 2009

The new job cuts will bring the total to 16,500 and affect its workforce in countries such as France.

Alcatel-Lucent said it would make extra savings of €400 million ($576.2 million) in gross margin and comparable operating expenses by the end of 2009, bringing the total to €2.1 billion.

It confirmed it would make €600 million in savings in 2007 but did not give specific forecasts for 2008.

The measures, which were largely expected, came after Alcatel-Lucent announced an above-forecast third-quarter adjusted operating profit.

Alcatel-Lucent posted an adjusted operating profit of €70 million ($100.8 million) for the three months to September 30 against an operating profit of €430 million last year and expectations of a €2.1-million operating loss.

The operating profit figure excludes restructuring costs, impairment of assets, disposals and post-retirement benefit plan changes as also the cost of Alcatel''s acquisition of Lucent.