Russia's Novatek says H1 net profit edges down 3% year-on-year to $2.8 billion

MOSCOW, July 24 (Reuters) - First-half net income for Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer Novatek declined by around 3% year-on-year to 218.7 billion roubles ($2.8 billion) as expenses rose, the company said on Friday.

It also said its January-to-June revenue increased by 4% to 836.3 billion roubles compared to the same period last year.

($1 = 78.5500 roubles)

(Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva and Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Joe Bavier)