Tangshan Jidong Cement Co Ltd said that it expects net profit for the first half to rise over 50 per cent year-on-year, on higher sales and cost cutting. The company’s net profit in the first half of 2005 stood at 46.76 mln yuan. Net profit last year fell 10.68 pct to 127.73 mln yuan. Tangshan Jidong’s controlling shareholder is reportedly in talks to sell an unspecified stake to HeidelbergCement AG.