Vivo Energy first-half profit rises

(Reuters) - African fuel retailer Vivo Energy Plc <VVO.L> posted a 2 percent rise in gross profit for the first half of the year on Thursday, helped by higher volumes.

The company, which distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Africa, said gross profit rose to $318 million (£262.4 million) for the six months ended June 30 from $312 million a year earlier.

(Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)