Norilsk 2010 profit up 17%

Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest producer of nickel and palladium, reported on Friday a net profit of $3.1 billion (2.1 billion euros) for 2010, a rise of 17 percent from 2009.

In 2010, sales increased 50 percent to $12.8 billion, reflecting a rise in precious metals prices and increased sales volumes in all products except copper.