France's Engie posts slight rise in first-quarter profit

PARIS, May 15 (Reuters) - French utility Engie ENGIE.PA posted a 0.5% rise in first-quarter earnings on Thursday, as weaker hydropower conditions and lower power prices weighed on gains in its transmission business.

The company, which produces, transports and sells gas and electricity, said earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), excluding nuclear, came to 3.7 billion euros ($4.14 billion), up 0.5% compared to the same period a year earlier.

That was slightly lower than analyst estimates of 3.8 billion euros, according to a consensus gathered by LSEG.

($1 = 0.8932 euros)