Sigma-Aldrich 1Q Profit Dips Slightly

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Biochemicals company Sigma-Aldrich Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit edged slightly lower as a stronger U.S. dollar cut into overseas sales.

The company earned $84.4, or 68 cents per share, compared with profit of $84.5 million, or 64 cents per share, during the same period a year prior. The rise in per-share profit is the result of fewer shares outstanding at the end of the first-quarter than in the prior year period.

Sales fell 9 percent to $519.3 million from $569.6 million, mainly due to the rise in the U.S. dollar. A stronger U.S. dollar hurts overseas sales because it cuts into the value of profits in those markets. ...