TeliaSonera 2Q Net +7.8% on Emerging Mkts

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Telecommunications operator TeliaSonera Thursday reported a 7.8% increase in second-quarter net profit on higher sales and contributions from its operations in Russia and Turkey. Net profit increased to 4.13 billion kronor ($687 million) compared with SEK3.83 billion, missing analysts' expectations of SEK4.44 billion. Sales in the quarter rose 5.7% to SEK25.27 billion from SEK23.90 billion, as growth in Spain and the Nordic region, and increased mobile data usage, offset weaker economic development in the Baltic countries. The Stockholm-based company kept its outlook for 2008, saying it expects 2008 sales to show stable growth from 2007, and expects to hold earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, level with last year. Net income for 2008 is expected to be "somewhat... [read full story]