Universal plans expected

Vivendi Universal boss Jean Rene Fourtou was last night expected to give his shareholders some indications as to his plans for the struggling entertainment group over the next two years - and crucially give word on whether Universal's music operations are up for sale. Pass indications were that Fourtou was keen to keep the Universal record labels, but then last week rumours began that both Apple Mac and Microsoft has expressed an interest in acquiring the music company, wholly or as part of a management buy out. Yet yesterday afternoon insiders reckoned Fourtou was more keen to flog off his movie assets than his music business. So remains to be seen what plans Fourtou has and whether he will rigidly stick to them even if generous buy out offers for the record labels are on the table.