Barry Callebaut Revenue Beats Estimates as Volumes Increase.

Barry Callebaut, a Swiss chocolate maker, has reported that its revenue exceeded analyst estimates in the first half of the fiscal year due to increased volumes. Despite a challenging operating environment with rising costs, sales rose 11% to 4.6 billion Swiss francs ($5.1 billion). The company has managed to handle price increases and inflation through its cost-plus pricing model. While cocoa futures have been on the rise due to poor crops in West Africa, Barry Callebaut has maintained its guidance for flat volumes this fiscal year. The company's shares have dropped in the past year, but investor Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. has expressed confidence in the company by increasing its stake. [Extracted from the article]