Russia's Comstar Q4 net profit $51.8 mln

MOSCOW, April 17 (Reuters) - Russian fixed-line telecoms operator Comstar CMSTq.L posted fourth-quarter net profit of $51.8 million after a loss in the same period of the previous year, the firm said on Thursday. The net profit was below the $63.3 million average forecast of eight analysts polled by Reuters.

The analysts' forecasts, however, varied widely due to differences of opinion as to a non-cash gain from the revaluation of a call and put option issued in part-payment for the acquisition of a share in Svyazinvest. (Reporting by Robin Paxton, editing by Tanya Mosolova)