China Shenhua Energy Co. ; first-half net profit up 36 percent

China Shenhua Energy Co., the country's biggest coal miner, said Friday that its net profit rose 35.7 percent in the first half of the year, according to preliminary data.

Net profit for January-June was 16 billion yuan ($2.3 billion), the company said in a statement, up from 11.8 billion yuan in first-half 2007.

The state-owned company, whose shares are traded in Hong Kong and Shanghai, did not provide first-half revenue or output figures.

Shenhua Energy is among many Chinese energy companies benefiting from surging demand due to China's robust economic growth. But while demand remains strong, Shenhua and other coal producers have seen their earnings potential crimped by domestic caps on coal prices. more