UPDATE 1-Turkish Enka Insaat posts 27 pct net profit rise

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ISTANBUL, March 28 (Reuters) - Turkish construction-to- energy firm Enka Insaat ENKAI.I posted a 27 percent rise in 2007 net profit to 747.1 million lira ($574.6 million), on strong sales growth and contained operating costs.

Enka, which has real estate interests in Russia and is looking to expand its energy business in Turkey, said on Friday sales rose 19 percent to 6.87 billion lira.

Net operating income rose 12 percent to 843.1 million lira, it said in a filing with the stock market. Lower taxes coupled with higher financial income also helped boost the bottom line.

Enka stock has outperformed the Istanbul market this year, falling 20 percent compared to a 29 percent decline on the main market. (Reporting by Emma Ross-Thomas; Editing by Mike Elliott)