IMS Health 2nd-quarter profit up nearly 6 percent

Profit rose to $77.7 million, or 42 cents per share, from $73.4 million, or 36 cents per share, a year earlier.

Sales rose nearly 12 percent to $600.7 million from $537.5 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected 40 cents per share and sales of $593.4 million.

The recent quarter included a $36 million provision for income taxes, compared with a $39.2 million provision for income taxes a year earlier.

Total operating expenses rose to $469.3 million from $419.3 million a year earlier.

When adjusted for foreign exchange hedge gains and losses and tax benefits in the second quarter of 2007, earnings per share rose a penny to 40 cents per share.

David R. Carlucci, the company's chairman and chief executive, said results were helped by growth in the company's consulting and services business, contributions from emerging markets, and cost controls.

"Led by 26 percent growth in our consulting and services business and accelerating results in the emerging markets, IMS delivered a very solid quarter," Carlucci said in a statement.