Roper Industries posts 6 pct gain in 3Q earnings

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Roper Industries Inc., a medical and industrial equipment maker, said Thursday its third-quarter profit rose 6 percent on stronger sales in three of its four business units.

Net earnings for the three months ended Sept. 30 were $117 million, or $1.19 per share, up from $110.3 million, or $1.15 per share, in the third quarter of 2011.

Excluding certain items, the company said adjusted earnings were $1.24 per share. That was a penny per share better than the consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by FactSet.

Revenue was $747.6 million, up 5 percent from $712.7 million but well short of the $761.3 million forecast by analysts.

Sales climbed in three of its divisions _ industrial technology, energy systems and controls, and medical and scientific imaging _ while declining slightly in its RF technology unit.

The company completed its acquisition of hospital software company Sunquest Information Systems Inc. during the quarter, adding to its growing medical and software businesses. CEO Brian Jellison said Sunquest will add substantially to the company's revenue.

Roper shares gained $2.52, or 2.4 percent, to $108.83 in late afternoon trading. That is near their 52-week high of $111.66.