French utility Suez Environnement (SEV.FR) Thursday said first-half 2008 revenue rose 4.4% and confirmed its profitability guidance.
The Paris-based water and waste "pure-player," spun off by Suez before it became part of GdF Suez (GSZ.FR), said first-half revenue rose to EUR6.0 billion, from EUR5.8 billion a year earlier.
The revenue figure falls just short of an average estimate of EUR6.06 billion, according to a Dow Jones Newswires poll of five analysts.
Suez Environnement said first-half revenue rose 7.5% if Applus, a unit sold at the end of 2007, is excluded from the figures. That would make the year-ago adjusted revenue figure EUR5.61 billion, the company said.
At 0743 GMT, Suez Environnement shares traded 2.5% lower at EUR17.35 in a slightly lower broader market.
Suez Environnement is billing itself as a "pure-play" waste and water group, set against larger French peer Veolia Environnement (VE), which also comprises energy services and transport divisions.