Manila, Aug. 12 -- Higher export sales and revenues from its Batangas plant boosted publicly-listed D&L Industries' income in the first half of the year, raising hopes for a double-digit income growth this year.

Alvin Lao, D&L president and chief executive officer, in an online briefing Tuesday, reported that earnings in the first six months this year rose 6 percent to nearly PHP1.4 billion from year-ago's PHP1.32 billion.

He, however, noted that higher coconut oil prices dampened the rise in income in the first six months this year, due to lower contribution from their high-margin business that covers oil-based food, personal hygiene, and home care segments.

Exports registered a 28 percent year-on-year growth in sales, with gross prof...