Windstream 1Q profit rises 24 percent on customer growth

Net income rose to $123.7 million, or 27 cents per share, compared with $99.9 million, or 21 cents per share, in the previous year.

Sales for the period ended March 31 increased to $811.7 million, up 4 percent from $783.7 million a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial predicted a profit of 25 cents per share on revenue of $803.9 million.

Windstream added nearly 40,000 broadband customers during the quarter, putting its total customer base at about 911,000. It also added about 15,000 digital TV customers in the period for a total of more than 210,000 customers.

Total costs and expenses fell to $513 million from $514.1 million.