Belle 2012 Net Profit Rises 2.3%

China's Belle International Holdings

reported a 2.3% gain in its 2012 profit. Belle's full-year net profit rose to 4.4 billion yuan, from 4.26 billion yuan in 2011. However, analysts were expecting a profit of 4.48 billion yuan. Its profit for the July-December period rose to 2.16 billion yuan, from 2.01 billion yuan, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a profit of 2.24 billion yuan. Its full-year revenue surged to 32.86 billion yuan, versus 28.95 billion yuan. Belle shares closed at $17.43 on Friday.