Béghin-Say, the French sugar producer in the midst of a high-profile buyout, revealed earlier today [Friday] that net profit for the H1 of its fiscal year has soared 171% to €75.6m (US$74.9m) from €27.9m. The dramatic increase was, said the company, helped by the gains made on the disposals of some of its Italian assets. Meanwhile, H1 operating profit was down 4.1% year on year to €85.2m, on sales of €779.8m.