By Pietro Lombardi

Beiersdorf AG said Thursday that strong organic sales growth in the first half of the year pushed business above pre-crisis levels and led to higher profit for the period.

The German maker of Nivea skin cream posted net profit of 395 million euros ($467.6 million) for the first half, compared with EUR285 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 12% to EUR3.87 billion. On an organic basis, the top line grew 16%.

"We successfully managed to improve both sales and profitability compared to last year's first half - despite still volatile market conditions," Chief Executive Vincent Warnery said.

Looking ahead, the company expects to achieve sales growth in the high single-digit range this year, with earnings before interest and tax margin seen at the previous year's level.

Write to Pietro Lombardi at pietro.lombardi@wsj.com; @pietrolombard10

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-05-21 0239ET