Praxair's Earnings Up on Higher Volumes

摘要

Praxair's second-quarter net income jumped 24%, to $371 million ($1.19/share), on sales up 18%, to $2.5 billion. The consensus of analysts' estimates as reported by Thomson Reuters was for $1.14/share. Sales volumes grew by double-digit rates in all geographic regions, led by South America and Asia, Praxair says. Sales to chemicals, metals, and electronics showed the strongest growth compared to the prior year, the company says. Sales grew 4% compared to the first quarter. Operating profit rose 22%, to $547 million and 8% sequentially, because of higher volumes and cost-reduction measures.