Prysmian CEO says has up to $1 billion for buys

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian cable maker Prysmian SpA (PRY.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) has up to 700 million euros ($1.05 billion) for possible acquisitions but sees no significant deals in the short-term, its chief executive said in an interview on Tuesday.

"We can potentially invest in acquisitions about 600-700 million euros. However, at present there is no deal of significant size at the horizon," Chief Executive Valerio Battista told Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore.

"In the medium-term, an extraordinary operation cannot be ruled out. But (it would be) of small dimensions," he added.

Battista said the company would maintain "an interesting payout" and reiterated a forecast for higher full-year adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

"I expect adjusted EBITDA to improve compared with 2007," Battista said.

"For the current six-month period, at the EBITDA level we should be in line with analysts' consensus forecast," he added.

(Reporting by Valentina Za)