Carlsberg first half profit beats forecast; keeps 2017 outlook

[August 16, 2017]  COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish brewer Carlsberg reported profit above expectations for the first half of 2017 despite declining beer volume as drinkers opted for pricier beers, and said it kept its outlook for the year.

Bottles of Carlsberg beer are seen in a bar in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014. REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk/File Photo

Half-year operating profit before special items rose almost 20 percent on the year to 4.13 billion Danish crowns ($652 million), above a forecast of a 3.92 billion crowns seen in a Reuters poll.

The company maintained its 2017 outlook of mid-single-digit organic growth in operating profit, and said it now expects a positive impact from currency exchange of 50 million crowns versus a previous guidance for 300 million.

(The story corrects to first half of 2017 not second-quarter in first paragraph)

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen)

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