By Nathan Allen 
 

Alstom SA (ALO.FR) said Wednesday that earnings rose in the first half thanks to higher volumes and operational improvements.

The French train maker posted first-half net profit that rose to 563 million euros ($633.8 million) from EUR213 million in the same period a year earlier.

Sales rose to EUR4.01 billion from EUR3.76 billion, the company said.

Group earnings before interest and taxes were EUR219 million compared with EUR194 million, the company said.

Analysts had forecast EBIT of EUR265 million on sales of EUR3.99 billion, according to a FactSet-compiled consensus.

Alstom attributed the higher earnings to a significant volume increase and streamlining operations. Net income included EUR245 million from discontinued operations, the company said.

Chief Executive Henri Poupart-Lafarge said the company's planned merger with Siemens AG's (SIE.XE) mobility unit is on track to close in the first half of 2019.

The European Commission recently raised objections to the planned deal, citing concerns about the effect on competition for rolling stock and signaling systems in Europe.

Write to Nathan Allen at nathan.allen@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 14, 2018 01:50 ET (06:50 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.