Shares of packaging maker MeadWestvaco Corp (MWV) jumped more than 6 percent in morning trading after the company announced that quarterly profit numbers had exceeded expectations.
MeadWestvaco reports third quarter earnings of $111 million, or 64 cents per share for the period ended Sept. 30, excluding non-recurring items, besting analysts consensus of expected earnings per share of $0.55. Net income from continuing operations fell 9 percent from third quarter earnings in 2009 of $122 million, or 71 cents per share.
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Higher overall sales helped drive revenue increases of 3.2 percent, to $1.56 billion. Although volume fell or only increased slightly in the Company’s consumer products unit, and consumer solutions business, respectively, volume jumped 11 percent in the specialty chemicals unit, increasing segment profit by 83 percent. The Company said its sales in emerging markets have grown by about 12 percent in the quarter, driven by strength in Brazil and China.
“Another quarter of improved performance extends the progress we have made by implementing a value-based strategy agenda,” Chief Executive John Luke said in a statement.
The Richmond, Virginia-based company provides packaging solutions to the healthcare, personal care and beauty, food, beverage, home and garden, tobacco, and commercial print industries with worldwide operations in 30 countries and has customers in more than 100 nations.
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