Germany's Merck sees 1Q earnings surge

[April 28, 2011]  BERLIN (AP) -- German drug and chemical maker Merck KGaA is reporting a surge in first-quarter net earnings as revenues were boosted by its acquisition of Millipore Corp. and demand for liquid crystals used in flat-screen televisions.

Merck said Thursday that it earned euro344.2 million ($505 million) in the January-March quarter. That was a 78 percent increase over its net profit of euro191.4 million a year earlier.

Revenues rose 22 percent to euro2.56 billion from euro2.1 billion.

Merck, based in Darmstadt, said its acquisition last year of U.S. biotechnology equipment supplier Millipore made a major contribution. It said its liquid crystals business posted "robust growth."

Merck maintained its full-year forecast, made in February, for growth of between 35 and 45 percent in its operating earnings.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.