LONDON –  Danaher Corp. on Thursday reported a first-quarter profit of $612.9 million, or 86 cents a share, up from $429.8 million, or 63 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continued operations rose to 73 cents a share. Analysts polled by FactSet Research were looking for a profit, on average, of 71 cents a share. Sales came in at $4.32 billion, up from $3.29 billion, a year ago. "With improving core growth, the cost reductions undertaken in 2011 and an attractive acquisition environment, we believe we are well positioned for the balance of 2012 and beyond," CEO Lawrence Culp, Jr. said. Looking ahead, the company said it expects to post a second-quarter profit of 76 cents to 81 cents a share. Wall Street previously forecast earnings for the quarter of 82 cents a share.
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