Cantel Medical Fiscal 1Q Profit Rises 85 Percent

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (AP) — Cantel Medical Corp., which makes products to prevent infections, said Wednesday its fiscal first-quarter profit grew 85 percent as swine flu concerns drove sales of disinfectants and face masks.

Cantel reported net income of $6.2 million, or 37 cents per share, for the three months ended Oct. 31, up from prior-year profit of $3.3 million, or 20 cents per share. Revenue rose 10 percent to $71 million from $64.4 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected profit of 27 cents per share.

The company said it received a boost during the quarter from sales of face masks in response to the outbreak of swine flu — known as the H1N1 virus.

Cantel is one of the largest U.S.-based manufacturers of FDA-cleared face masks. Shares of the company rose 38 cents, or 2 percent, to $19.62 in morning trading. The stock has traded between $11.15 and $19.82 over the last 52 weeks.

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