(Telecompaper) Alcatel-Lucent reported fourth-quarter revenues down 6 percent year-on-year to EUR 3.682 billion. Excluding currency effects and managed services, where the company has been exiting unprofitable contracts, revenues were up 2 percent. The company's gross margin expanded by 130 basis points to 34.7 percent in Q4, while the adjusted operating margin dipped to 7.7 percent from 7.8 a year ago. Net profit showed a strong improvement to EUR 271 million from EUR 134 million, helped by lower financing costs and higher tax benefits. Free cash flow, excluding restructuring costs, totaled EUR 420 million, down from EUR 550 million a year earlier. Alcatel-Lucent said it was making good progress on its Shift Plan with over 70 percent or EUR 675 million in cost reductions realised. The company reiterated its target to return to positive free cash flow in 2015, after a negative result of EUR 420 million last year. At year-end, it had a net cash position of EUR 326 million, versus a net debt position of EUR 132 million at 30 September.