Lego’s half-year 2011 profit soars 32 pct

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish toy maker Lego says its first-half profit rose 32 percent as the family-owned company continued to increase its market share.

Net profit for the period January-June 2011 was 1.48 billion kroner ($288.3 million), up from 1.12 billion kroner for the same period last year.

Sales rose 25 percent to 7.36 billion kroner ($1.43 billion) from 5.86 billion kroner a year ago.

Lego said Tuesday its new product Lego Ninjago is selling “well above expectation” and classic products like Lego City and Lego Star Wars are also generating strong revenues. The company, based in Billund, Denmark, said it has increased its market share to 7 percent from 5.9 percent at the end of 2010.

It does not release quarterly figures.