VEVEY, Switzerland (AP) _ Nestle SA, the worlds biggest food and drink company, reported 6.1 percent growth in first-half net profit Thursday despite rising transport and raw materials costs and slowing bottled water sales amid criticism from environmentalists. Nestle said it earned 5.21 billion Swiss francs ($4.93 billion) during the first six months of the year, an increase of 298 million francs ($282 million) on the same period in 2007. The results beat analysts’ expectations, but Nestle shares dipped 0.6 percent to 46.90 francs ($44.40) as the company announced it has already completed more than half of a 25 billion francs share buyback. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/ats-ap-earns-switzerland-nestleaug07,1,5361634.story
Swiss food and drinks Nestle posts 6.1 percent increase in first-half net profit
