Liberty Global posts deeper 1st-quarter loss

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - International cable group Liberty Global Inc reported a deeper first-quarter net loss on Wednesday due to increased interest and income tax expenses and higher losses on derivative instruments.

The company controlled by cable pioneer John Malone said its net loss grew to $155.6 million, or 45 cents per share, from $136 million, or 35 cents per share, in last year's first quarter.

Revenue rose 24 percent to $2.6 billion, and operating cash flow was $1.1 billion.

Analysts, on average, expected a loss of 4 cents per share on revenue of $2.58 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.

Shares of Liberty Global closed up 22 cents at $36.34 on Nasdaq Wednesday.

(Reporting by Gina Keating; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)