Casio Computer Co. Ltd. posted a net profit of 5.0 billion yen (46 million dollars) in April-September, up 115.5 percent from 2.3 billion yen in the same period last year.

Recurring profit came to 8.4 billion yen, up 44.7 percent, while sales rose 14.7 percent to 240.6 billion yen.

"During this fiscal half, we launched a series of new products which pulled up our earnings," said a Casio spokesman.

"Especially watches and digital cameras sold very well in both Japanese and overseas markets. In the Japanese market, electronic dictionaries were also very popular."

Casio left its profit forecast for the full year unchanged. Last month the company upgraded its forecast for the year to March 2004, expecting a net profit of 11 billion yen, a recurring profit of 18 billion yen on sales of 500 billion yen.

The company's previous forecasts in May called for a net profit of 8.0 billion yen and recurring profit of 15 billion yen on sales of 480 billion yen.

Shares in Casio fell 35 yen or 3.50 percent to close at 964 yen Thursday on the Tokyo Stock Exchange as the benchmark Nikkei-225 index slumped 285.24 points or 2.63 percent to 10,552.30.

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