By Dai Yan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-09 16:01

Altogether 62.93 percent of the Shanghai and Shenzhen listed firms are expected to post profits during the first half of the year, up from 46.28 percent last year and 47.07 percent in 2005, according to statistics from Wind Info, a China-based integrated financial data provider.

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A total of 615 companies listed in the Shanghai orShenzhen Stock Exchangehad disclosed their interim results forecasts by July 8. The overall results of listed companies are much better than those of the past two years, especially blue-chip companies. Shanghai Automotive,Air Chinaand Wuhan Steel all predicted sharp net profit increases during the first half.

The statistics shows that among the 387 listed companies having predicted positive first-half results, 241 and 75 expected remarkable and slight profit rises respectively, and 71 returned to profits from losses.

Among the 193 companies having forecasted negative results, 35 and 12 will see their profits drop sharply and slightly respectively, 97 will continue to suffer losses and 49 will post losses for the first time. The rest 35 listed companies could not provide comparative figures to predict profits or losses.

All of the 12 listed steel companies having made forecasts predicted big rises in net profits, while real estate and electricity industries saw disparities among listed companies. For example, seven property companies including Yeland Group Co, Zhongjiang Real Estate forecasted their first-half net profit rises at over 150 percent, while another six including Guanghua Holding and Lander Real Estate will turn to losses from profits.