* Portfolio drops 43 pct to 912 mln eur vs 1.6 bln eur
* FY loss 1 bln eur vs 467 mln loss last year
* Cites weak auto sector, may expand into financial services
* Reports cash and cash equivalents of 541 mln eur
* No comment on Opel talks
BRUSSELS, July 1 (Reuters) - Belgian holding company RHJ International, which is in talks to buy General Motors Corp's Opel unit, said late on Tuesday its full-year loss more than doubled and its portfolio value had fallen 43 percent.
RHJ, which has been hit hard by the weakening in the automotive sector, said it was likely to focus on financial buys going forward, and said it had cash and cash equivalents of 541.8 million euros ($765.6 million) as of March 31, 2009.
"Our cash position continues to be a key strength as we review new investment opportunities and possible expansion into new strategic areas including, but not limited to, financial services in Europe," Chief Executive Leonhard Fischer said.
RHJ's statement did not address its bid for Opel, which General Motors has confirmed but which RHJ has never commented on.
"The automotive industry was particularly hit by the lack of customer confidence and tightening consumer credit," the statement said.
"The company's automotive assets suffered the effects of severe and rapid volume declines," it added.
RHJ's holdings include automotive and auto parts firms Asahi Tec, Honsel International, Niles and U-Shin, along with media group Columbia Music, hospitality firm Phoenix Resort and nutrition products group Shaklee Global.
It said as of March 31, 2009, its total portfolio was worth 912 million euros, 43 percent lower than the 1.6 million euros it was worth last year.
RHJ said it booked a loss for the year of 1 billion euros, more than twice the 467 million euro loss it booked last year. It reported consolidated impairment charges of 939.7 million euros. ($1=.7077 Euro) (Reporting by Anne Jolis; editing by Simon Jessop)