LONDON (AP) - Vodafone Group plc. CEO Arun Sarin will step down, he said yesterday, as the world's largest cellphone operator reported a return to a full-year profitability.

Mr. Sarin has held the top job for five years and will be replaced by his deputy, Vittorio Colao.

Vodafone said net profit for the year to March 31 was £6.7 billion ($13.25 billion) from a net loss of £4.9 billion a year earlier.

The departure of Indian-born Mr. Sarin, 53, came as a surprise to many. Under Mr. Sarin's tenure, Vodafone's customer base from 120 million to 260 million around the world.