Polish miner KGHM's first-half profit rise lags forecasts

Polish-based copper miner KGHM reported a 66% rise in first-half net profits on Thursday but failed to meet analysts' estimates as currency effects and increased costs offset rising copper and molybdenum prices. The state-controlled firm posted a consolidated net profit of 491-million zlotys, up from 296 -million zlotys in the same period last year. However it fell short of the average of analysts' forecasts of 637-million zlotys.