UPDATE: Unilever Reports 10% Rise In First-Half Earnings

Unilever NV UN reported a 10% rise in its first half earnings. Unilever's net profit surged to euro2.235 billion ($3.12 billion), from euro2.035 billion, in the year-ago period. Its sales climbed 4.1% to euro22.1 billion. Unilever said "underlying" sales growth was 7.1% in the second quarter. Unilever's Q2 total sales climbed to EUR11.93 billion, from EUR11.75 billion, in the year-ago period. Unilever's shares gained 0.22% to close at $31.72 yesterday.