French eye care company Essilor SA (EI.FR) said on Friday that its first-half sales rose 9.4%, to EUR1.663 million from EUR1.52 million in the year-earlier period.

The company expressed confidence that it can maintain operational profitability at the same level as last year.

The company's first-half organic growth rate declined 0.7%.

By region, sales saw sluggishness in North America and Europe, but rose in Asia and Latin America.

Company Web site: http://www.essilor.com

-Dow Jones Newswires; dennis.baker@dowjones.com