Egypt's Eastern reports Q1 net up 1.5 pct

CAIRO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Egyptian cigarette monopoly Eastern Company (EAST.CA) made a net profit of 147.7 million Egyptian pounds ($26.7 million) in the July-September quarter, 1.5 percent higher on the same quarter of 2007, the stock exchange said.

The quarter is the first in the company's financial year. ($1 = 5.5314 Egyptian pounds) (Writing by Jonathan Wright; Editing by Anshuman Daga)