China banking giant ICBC reports flat H1 profit

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the country's biggest bank, on Thursday reported a less than one percent year-on-year rise in net profit for the first half, affected by the slowing economy. Net profit was 149.02 billion yuan ($23.28 billion) for the six months ended June 30, up from 148.10 billion yuan from the same period a year ago, according to a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange. "In the first half of 2015, the bank proactively adapted to the economic 'new normal'