Merck: second-quarter worldwide sales up 6% at $5.8 billion

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., July 24 - Merck & Co., Inc. said worldwide sales of $5.8 billion for the second quarter of 2006 were up 6% from the $5.5 billion reported for the second quarter of 2005.

Earnings per share for the second quarter were $0.73, or $0.69 including the impact of the net restructuring charge, compared with $0.33 for the second quarter of 2005.

Second-quarter 2006 net income was $1.50 billion, compared with $720.6 million in the second quarter of last year.

Merck expects full-year 2006 earnings per share of $2.40 to $2.48, excluding restructuring charges, and reported full-year 2006 earnings per share of $2.10 to $2.24.

"The results demonstrate that we can deliver growth while we make the fundamental changes necessary to return Merck to an industry leadership position," chief executive officer and president Richard T. Clark said in a company news release.

"We announced two major product approvals, Gardasil and Zostavax, and presented important new clinical data on Vytorin, Januvia and Zolinza that underscore the strength of our core business."

Merck is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company based in Whitehouse Station, N.J.

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