Slovenia's Petrol H1 group net profit up 6 pct (updated)

Petrol dd Ljubljana

25/08/2017 07:42

(Adds detail, background) 
    LJUBLJANA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Slovenian fuel retailer Petrol 
 PETG.LJ  reported group net profit of 34 million euros ($40 
million) for the first half of 2017 versus 32 million in the 
same period of 2016, boosted by higher sales. 
    Net sales rose by 26 percent to 2.2 billion euros, mainly 
due to higher oil prices, the company said in a statement on 
Friday. 
    "In Slovenia and Croatia the economic conditions are 
improving, while other countries in southeastern Europe, where 
Petrol is present, are still facing difficult economic 
conditions, low purchasing power and high unemployment," it 
added. 
    Petrol operates 490 filling stations in Slovenia, Croatia, 
Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Sales of oil products 
increased by 7 percent year-on-year when measured in tons. 
    ($1 = 0.8480 euros) 
 
 (Reporting by Marja Novak; Editing by Mark Potter) 
 ((Marja.Novak@thomsonreuters.com; +386-1-058805, Reuters 
Messaging: marja.novak.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: PETROL RESULTS/