Australia's OneSteel H1 profit up 6.3 pct

MELBOURNE, Feb 19 (Reuters) - OneSteel Ltd (OST.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), Australia's second-largest steel company, said on Tuesday its half-year profit rose 6.3 percent, and it maintained its full-year guidance.

The company, which makes long steel products such as bars, pipes and rails, said net operating profit in the six months to Dec. 31 rose to A$104.4 million ($95.8 million) from A$98.2 million a year ago. OneSteel shares have risen 17 percent this year, outperforming a 12 percent decline in the broader market on expectations of higher steel prices and greater pricing power. ($1=A$1.09) (Reporting by Victoria Thieberger)