Airgas Q2 Profit Rises, Beats Estimates; Narrows FY15 EPS Guidance

(RTTNews) - Airgas, Inc. (ARG) Thursday posted higher earnings for the second quarter, as net sales grew by 6 percent year-over-year. In addition, the group revised its full-year earnings outlook.

The company's net income rose to $98.31 million or $1.30 per share from $94.98 million or $1.27 per share a year ago.

On average, 17 analysts polled by Thomson-Reuters estimated the company's earnings to be $1.29 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Quarterly sales increased to $1.36 billion from $1.28 billion last year. Analysts expected revenue of $1.33 billion for the quarter.

Looking ahead, for the third quarter, the firm expects earnings per share in the range of $1.20 - $1.25. Analysts are looking for earnings of $1.28 per share.

For the full year 2015, the company narrowed its earnings per share guidance to a range of $5.00 - $5.10, from the previous range of $5.00 - $5.20. Analysts expect earnings per share of $5.09.