(Adds stock exchange reaction in para 3)
MOSCOW, October 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel said on Friday its net profit calculated to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) declined 33% year-on-year to $2.68 billion in the first half of 2008.
Revenue increased 5.4% to $8.31 billion in the reporting period.
The company's shares dropped 10.94% on the MICEX exchange and by more than 8% on the RTS as of 14:05 Moscow time (10:05 GMT) on the news.
Norilsk Nickel accounts for more than 20% of global nickel output, more than 10% of cobalt production and 3% of copper. Its nickel output increased almost 13.8%, year-on-year, to 143,400 metric tons in January-June 2008.
