Paris: French cement giant Lafarge on Wednesday reported a recovery of net profit last year and said that demand for its products for the construction industry was picking up. But the net figure was helped by asset sales, and underlying operating profit fell on unfavourable exchange rates. Net profit amounted to €601 million ($827 million), boosted by asset sales. That was an increase of 65.0 per cent from €365 million in 2012 but short of analysts’ expectations of €644 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell by 9.0 per cent to €3.1 billion, although excluding the effects of exchange rates it rose by 2.0 per cent.