(Telecompaper) Softbank reported another surge in net profit for its fiscal first half to September, with the result jumping 719 percent to JPY 840.1 billion from JPY 102.6 billion a year ago. The growth was driven by gains on its investment portfolio, while revenues rose a more modest 6 percent year-on-year to JPY 4.65 trillion. Operating profit was up 62 percent to JPY 1.42 trillion, supported by improvement at Sprint.