July 29 -- Jiugui Liquor (000799) recorded a 23.41 percent year-on-year increase in first half 2011 net profit to 60.86 million yuan, with earnings per share of 0.2008 yuan, reports China Business News, citing a company filing. Revenue rose 68.97 percent to 398 million yuan.

Net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was up 215.9 percent year-on-year to 39.05 million yuan.

The spirits maker had recently completed the re-election of its board members.

The central China region contributed revenue of almost 170 million yuan in the first half, up 81.97 percent year-on-year.

Sales revenue in the second quarter, a traditional low season, totaled 212 million yuan.

Gross margin in the first half increased from 61.48 percent in first half of 2010 to 72.59 percent in the first half this year.

Jiugui said it accelerated marketing promotions in the first half, setting up marketing centers in Hunan province, Beijing and in South China.