Zimmer Holdings Inc (ZMH), a manufacturer of manufactures and markets orthopedic and dental products, Thursday said profit in the second quarter improved from last year, helped by lower expenses. The firm also tightened its earnings view for the year.
Net earnings attributable to the company rose to $214.5 million or $1.22 per share from $203.8 million or $1.06 per share in the prior year.
Adjusted earnings per share increased to $1.34 from $1.21. On average, 26 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $1.32 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Net sales edged down to $1.125 billion from $1.137 billion. Analysts expected revenues of $1.14 billion.
Operating expenses fell 8 percent in the quarter to $541.2 million, leading to a 17 percent increase in operating profit.
Earnings per share for the year are now projected to be in a range of $4.75 to $4.85 on a reported basis and $5.25 to $5.35 on an adjusted basis. Prior guidance was for reported and adjusted earnings per share of $4.70 to $4.90 and $5.20 to $5.40, respectively.
Full-year revenues are expected to increase between 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent on a constant currency basis from 2011. The company now estimates that foreign currency translation will decrease revenues between 2 percent and 2.5 percent, resulting in reported revenue growth between 0 percent and 1.5 percent. Previously, the company estimated foreign currency translation would decrease revenues by around 1.5 percent to 2.0 percent.
Analysts expect full year earnings of $5.27 per share on revenues of $4.52 billion.
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