Holcim is expected to post on Wednesday a full year net profit of SwFr4.479bn, up from SwFr2.719bn in 2006 with the Swiss cement maker’s bottom line boosted by a divestment from its South African operations and improved demand from emerging markets.  
 
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial News forecast net profit in the range of SwFr4.419-4.531bn.  
 
Net profit after minorities and excluding the South African divestment is forecast at SwFr2.475-2.700bn or SwFr2.587bn on average, up from SwFr2.104bn in 2006.  
 
Meanwhile, sales are seen improving to SwFr26.726-27.449bn or SwFr27.021bn on average, up from SwFr23.969bn in the same period last year.  
 
In November, Holcim said it expects to continue its growth story in 2008.  
 
’Holcim should be able to report strong growth in its net profits thanks to the one-off book gain from South Africa. Moreover, the buy-out of Canadian minorities and the ongoing increase in the group’s stakes in Indian companies should give solid support to the level of net profits attributable to  Holcim’s own shareholders,’ said Helvea analyst Patrick Appenzeller.  
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