Net profit of Russia's gas giant Gazprom increased 39.5% in January-September 2010 year-on-year to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to 668.7 billion rubles, the company said on Thursday.
Analysts polled by RIA Novosti expected Gazprom's nine months' net profit to rise by 39% to 656.092 billion rubles.
In the third quarter of 2010, Gazprom's net profit slumped 7.5% to 160.519 billion rubles, while revenue rose 14.5% to 786.451 billion rubles.
Sales profit went up 25.6% to 197 billion rubles, pre-tax profit decreased 3.2% to 209.74 billion rubles, the company said in a statement.
Revenue rose 16.38% to 2.508 trillion rubles during the reporting period.
Net sales profit rose 31.6% to 774.7 billion rubles, pre-tax profit by 40.6% to 849.9 billion rubles, operating costs rose 11% to 1.743 trillion rubles.
As of September 30, 2010, Gazprom's net debt decreased 29% to 971.780 billion rubles. The company said debt fell due to an early redemption of long-term loans, changing the order of reflecting banking subsidiaries of the group and an increase in cash and cash equivalents.
MOSCOW, February 10 (RIA Novosti)
