Plovdiv Yuri Gagarin BT (

) posted pre-tax profit in the amount of 2.838 mln leva (1.451 mln euros), or 2.83 leva per share in 1H, compared with a negative result in the amount of 156,000 leva (79,761 euros) for the respective period a year ago, the company's report filed with the BSE shows.

Net sales revenues advance 4.36% from 18.595 mln leva (9.507 mln euros) to 19.405 mln leva (9.921 mln euros). Other revenues amount to 2.239 mln leva (1.144 mln euros).

Economic costs amount to 18.534 mln leva (9.476 mln euros), relatively unchanged from a year ago, despite the rising costs of some basic materials used by the company.

According to the report, the company will continue to receive packs and filter supplies from Bulgartabak in compliance with the three-year agreements endorsed between them.

Plovdiv Yuri Gagarin intends to invest some 7.8 mln leva (3.988 mln euros) in printing activities, including installation of an offset printing machine and a system for pre-print set-up, which will start operation in the second half of the year.

Plovdiv Yuri Gagrin has a core capital in the amount of 1 mln leva (511.291 euros), and equity capital stands at 42.9 mln leva (21.934 mln euros).

Main shareholders arte Baranko Ltd controlling 49% of the capital and Komso Tobacco Ltd with 18%.

The company's shares added 9.79% in today's trade to 58.74 leva.