Lindt and Spruengli, the world’s biggest maker of premium chocolate, reported higher first-half earnings as the Swiss franc weakened for the first time in years, boosting the value of sales from abroad.

Operating profit advanced 8.6 per cent to 98.4 million francs (€90.4 million), the Kilchberg, Switzerland-based company said in a statement on Friday.

Analysts expected 100.5 million francs. Sales rose 4.4 per cent on an organic basis, trailing the 5.1 per cent consensus, said Alain Oberhuber, an analyst at MainFirst Bank.

The stronger dollar and euro led to better sales growth in Swiss franc terms than in local currencies, which hasn’t happened since the first half of 2013.

The maker of Lindor chocolate balls confirmed its mid-to-long-term organic sales growth forecast of 6 per cent to 8 per cent. Sales climbed 6.6 per cent to 1.5 billion francs.

In its ambition to overtake Godiva as the world's biggest retailer of premium chocolate by 2020, Lindt plans to open 65 new stores this year. That will bring the total network to almost 400 stores.

Godiva runs more than 450 boutiques. Lindt said it is currently eliminating some of Russell Stover’s 2,000 products and is raising prices as it’s introduced new ones. The adjustment will impact growth in the short-term, Lindt said.

The company became the third-largest chocolate maker in America after its Russell Stover acquisition in 2014.

– Bloomberg