Taiheiyo Cement Corp  released better-than-expected earnings for the April-September period.

Operating profit came in at JPY5.7bn and pretax profit at JPY1.1bn, reversing losses in the year-ago period.

Domestic sales of cement rose more than expected, raising profits beyond earlier estimates.

The company posted a net loss of JPY3.3bn for the half year, but that was a big improvement on a net loss of JPY13.1bn a year ago.