Third-quarter net profit of Holcim Ltd jumps up

Third-quarter net profit of cement maker Holcim Ltd. went up 28 percent, benefiting from an expansion into India and solid demand in other emerging markets.

Photo: Third-quarter net profit of Holcim Ltd jumps up

Net profit rose to 877 million Swiss francs (US$763.4 million; 524.8 million EUR), from 684 million francs in the same three-month period last year.

The profit bettered analyst expectations of around 850 million francs (US$739.9 million; 508.6 million EUR), according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Operating profit rose 15 percent to 1.54 billion francs (US$1.34 billion; 920 million EUR), Holcim said. Sales rose 10 percent to 7.28 billion francs (US$6.34 billion; 4.36 billion EUR).

Shares fell 1 percent to close at 128.30 francs (US$113.21; 76.90 EUR) in Zurich trading. They have risen 16 percent already this year.

Last month, Holcim's rival Cemex SAB of Mexico reported a 7 percent fall in third-quarter net profit to US$780 million. France-based cement company Lafarge SA is due to release third-quarter results Thursday.