Adidas Plans €1 Billion Share Buyback as Profits Jump

Adidas AG reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter profits and announced a fresh share buyback as the German brand looks to maintain its momentum with retro sneakers and new running and football products.

The German sportswear company generated operating profit of €164 million ($196 million) in the fourth quarter, it said in a statement of preliminary figures late Thursday. That exceeded analyst estimates and drove full-year operating profit slightly above its forecast from October.