Carlsberg beats analysts' estimates

Carlsberg A/S, the Nordic region's largest brewer, said second-quarter profit rose 36 percent, beating analysts' estimates, after its joint takeover of Scottish & Newcastle Plc boosted the company's Russian sales.

Net income climbed to 1.42 billion kroner ($296 million) from 1.04 billion kroner a year earlier, the Valby, Denmark- based company said yesterday.

That surpassed the 1.28 billion-krona median estimate of eight analysts. Sales gained about 39 percent to 17.5 billion kroner, exceeding the 16.7 billion-krona estimate.