* Full-year sales 2.6 bln Swiss francs, meets forecast
* Sees 2010 operating profit within 300-340 million franc range
* Strong franc weighs
* Organic sales up 7.3 percent vs 7.1 percent average forecast
* Lindt shares rise, outperform sector index
(Adds shares, analyst, more details)
By Katie Reid
ZURICH, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Swiss premium chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli will meet its 2010 operating profit goal after North American and UK consumers bought more of its Lindor truffles, helping to offset the strong franc.
The company said it had seen a double-digit increase in demand for its chocolates in its most important market of North America as well as in Britain, the largest European chocolate market.
But the franc's strength against the euro, dollar and pound weighed slightly more than expected and sales in francs rose 2.2 percent to 2.6 billion francs ($2.7 billion). Analysts in a Reuters poll had on average expected sales to rise 2.8 percent in francs.
At 1025 GMT, Lindt's participation certificates were trading 2.4. percent higher, outperforming a 0.9 percent firmer STOXX Europe 600 Food & Beverage index. The group's registered shares, which are less liquid, were trading 1.7 percent higher.
"Strong set of figures and company beats its 5-7 percent organic growth target for 2010 on the back of U.S. and UK -- where it probably benefitted from its affordable treat status even during a recession," said Kepler Capital Markets analyst Jon Cox.
"I like long term dynamics as it is the only premium chocolate player, it is revolutionising Anglo-Saxon taste buds -- where main growth is -- and it benefits from demographics, namely the trend to more selective indulgence," Cox said.
TREATS
Chocolate lovers are starting to treat themselves to premium chocolate again after tightening their belts during the economic downturn when consumers opted for cheaper alternatives to Lindt's products, which include its Excellence chocolate bar range and gold-wrapped Easter bunnies.
The group said it would post a full-year operating profit within its target range of 300 million-340 million francs despite the sharp rise in the price of cocoa beans in the first three quarters of 2010 and the strong franc.
The company, which traces its origins to a Zurich confectionery shop in the 1840s, posts full-year results on March 15.
"We regard L&S as a very solid and well managed company, which has a very strong track record and leading market positions in the premium chocolate market," analysts at Credit Suisse said in a client note.
"We believe that L&S is on track to return to an organic top line growth of circa 6-8 percent and an EBIT margin improvement of circa 20-40bp per year," the analysts said.
Barry Callebaut, the world's largest chocolate products maker, said last week the global chocolate market was recovering slowly as eastern Europe and Asia showed good growth. (Editing by Mike Nesbit and Erica Billingham)