U.S. Sweet to Nestle

Nestle SA reported an 11 percent increase in first-half profit, thanks in part to what the company said was strong performance in the U.S. Nestle, which is based in Vevey, Switzerland, with U.S. headquarters in Glendale, reported net profit the equivalent of $3.38 billion in U.S. currency for the first half, noting that the food, beverage and nutrition businesses generated 6 percent organic growth, a measure that does not take acquisitions into account. Organic growth, which is one of the company’s primary measurements, for all Nestle divisions rose to 6.4 percent, compared to 5.6 percent in 2005, and beating analyst expectations of 6.3 percent growth. Sales rose 11 percent to the equivalent of $38.4 billion in U.S. dollars.