Areva (CEI.FR), the world's largest maker of nuclear reactors, Thursday reported a 15% rise in first-half revenue, helped by a surge in sales in its reactors and services division.
The state-controlled nuclear group, which is promoting its European Pressurized Water Reactor, or EPR, in the U.K. along with Electricite de France SA (1024251.FR), said revenue rose to EUR6.2 billion in the first six months to June 30, against EUR5.37 billion at the same time a year ago.
That exceeds an average estimate of EUR5.95 billion in a Dow Jones Newswires poll of three analysts.
Areva's share price has risen by more than 15% over the past six months to close at EUR739.42, as a global nuclear revival gets underway and as the French government continues to evaluate its options for a possible overhaul of the nuclear sector.
Options include a tie-up between nuclear group Areva and engineering group Alstom SA (1022047.FR), in which media and construction conglomerate Bouygues SA (12050.FR) has a 30% stake, as well as an initial public offering of Areva, which is almost entirely held by the French state.