By Maarten van Tartwijk 

AMSTERDAM-- Heineken NV, the world's third-largest brewer by sales, on Monday reported a rise in profit and revenue as the Dutch beer maker benefited from robust sales in emerging markets and strong demand for its premium brands.

Net profit was EUR1.14 billion ($1.25 billion) in the first six months of 2015, up 88% from the EUR631 million it reported a year earlier. Consolidated revenue rose 7% to EUR9.9 billion from EUR9.3 billion.

The results, which beat analysts' expectations, were lifted by strong sales in Asia, Latin America and Africa, helping to offset sluggish sales in Europe. Heineken also attributed the profit increase to a strong performance of its premium brands such as its eponymous lager, while the weakening of the euro against the dollar and the Mexican peso also helped.

"This continued positive momentum reflects the benefit from our exposure to high growth markets, a sustained focus on marketing and innovation, and the ability to drive efficiencies," Chief Executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer said.

Shares in Heineken rose 3% in early trading, the biggest gainer on Amsterdam's AEX benchmark.

Heineken has made a series of acquisitions in emerging markets in recent years in an attempt to cushion the impact of declining beer consumption in Europe and the U.S. It is also seeking to boost sales of its more profitable premium brands, hoping to attract young consumers.

Heineken now generates slightly more than one-third of its revenue from Western Europe, where volumes and revenue continued to slide in the first half, in part because of a tough comparison with last year when sales were boosted by the World Cup and better weather conditions.

In Mexico, Heineken's largest market following the 2010 acquisition of Femsa Cerveza, the brewer recorded volume growth in the low-single digits, despite a slowdown in the second quarter. Heineken said that its Mexican beers, including Dos Equis and Tecate, are also increasingly popular in the U.S.

Beer volumes also rose in Africa and Asia, despite a challenging economic environment in Nigeria and restrictions on beer sales in Indonesia.

Heineken said that its flagship Heineken brand recorded 4.7% volume growth, while other global brands, such as Desperados, a tequila-flavored beer, and Sol, a Mexican beer, reported growth in the double-digit percentages.

The company maintained its guidance for 2015 although it warned that economic conditions and the pricing environment in some of its key markets in Europe remains challenging.

Write to Maarten van Tartwijk at maarten.vantartwijk@wsj.com

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