Saint-Gobain first half.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Net income of the Saint-Gobain Group for the first half of 2000 is estimated at 542 million (FF3,555 million), up 15.6% compared with the same period of 1999.

The glass sector benefited from sustained demand in all of its business lines, especially in Europe. Ongoing cost-reduction programs, particularly in downstream flat glass operations and at Ball Foster, generated further improvements in profitability.

Sales in France accounted for 31.5% of the total, with other European countries contributing 34.6%, North America 26.6% and other countries 7.3%.

Saint Gobain said it expected to achieve double digit growth in recurrent net profit in 2001, on top …