LNG

June 8 (LNGJ) - Trafigura, one of the world's leading energy traders with an LNG team based in Geneva, posted first-half net profits of $654 million, an increase of 39 percent over the figure for the same six months of 2014 because of volume growth in the oil and petroleum products trading divisions. Gross profit rose by 58 percent year-on-year to $1.5 billion. However, group revenue in the first half was 24 percent lower than a year ago at $48.2Bln, due entirely to lower commodity prices, the firm said. Jeremy Weir, Trafigura Chief Executive, commented: "This is a very strong result, reflecting an excellent trading performance in the relatively favourable conditions prevailing in global oil and refined product markets, and profitable growth in both trading divisions."