RADNOR, Pa.—Airgas Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 47 percent as acquisitions sent revenue higher, the industrial gas maker said Monday.
Net income in the quarter ended March 31 rose to $64.2 million, or 76 cents per share, from $43.7 million, or 54 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Analysts expected profit of 73 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial.
The quarter included sales from 18 acquisitions Airgas made last year, which helped push total sales 27 percent higher to $1.09 billion. Wall Street expected $1.07 billion. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 8 percent.
For the year, profit jumped to $223.3 million, or $2.66 per share, from $154.4 million, or $1.92 per share, in 2006. Sales rose 25 percent to $4.02 billion from $3.21 billion.
In aftermarket trading, Airgas shares jumped $3.40, or 7 percent, to $52.50 after closing Monday at $49.10. In the past year, the stock has ranged from $37.84 to $55.89.
