2007 full year results..., page-6

Rio Tinto year underlying profit rises 1 pct
Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:10am GMT Email | Print | Share| Single Page| Recommend (0) [-] Text [+] Market News
Xstrata declares force majeure at Australia mines
Nikkei up on insurers, but pre-data doubts weigh
HK shares leap nearly 2 pct, HSBC boosts blue chips
More Business & Investing News... SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Global miner Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc (RIO.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) reported a 1 percent rise in underlying earnings for the full year, boosted by record production of major commodities, despite higher costs.

Underlying profit for the year was $7.44 billion versus $7.34 billion a year earlier. Net profit fell 2 percent to $7.312 billion.

Rio Tinto is the target of an unsolicited takeover offer by close rival BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research)(BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research), which is offering 3.4 of its shares for each Rio Tinto share. (Reporting by James Regan)