JBS to maintain low debt leverage ratio this year - management

SAO PAULO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - JBS Z98.F, the world's largest meatpacker, expects to end the year with a debt leverage ratio below 2.5x even though the company may spend up to $400 million in a share repurchase program, according to management remarks on Thursday.

JBS posted a nearly 61% rise in net profit for the second quarter, which reached $528.1 million. Management said the results reflect the resilience of the company's global platform in the face of a challenging cattle cycle in the U.S. and global geopolitical tensions.