Madrid, Oct 28 - Spain's biggest food company Ebro Puleva is expected to report nine-month net profit growth of 82 percent on Wednesday, reflecting an improvement in its pasta division and lower raw material prices, analysts said.
According to a Reuters poll of five analysts, Ebro Puleva is expected to report net profit of 105.1 million euros ($130.8 million) on sales of 2.15 billion euros.
The company's bottom line will also reflect the reversal of a 46 million euro provision from 2007 which was booked in the first half of 2008.
Investors will be focusing on any updates regarding the company's planned sale of its sugar unit. Ebro Puleva has said that it has 11 potential bidders and will announce more details on the sale in the fourth quarter.