UPDATE: Becton Dickinson Posts Upbeat Q2 Revenue, Lifts 2012 Forecast

Becton Dickinson & Company BDX reported its second-quarter results today. Becton Dickinson's quarterly profit came in at $291 million, or $1.39 per share, versus $312 million, or $1.38 per share, in the year-ago period. Its profit from continuing operations was $1.41 per share. Becton Dickinson's revenue surged to $1.99 billion from $1.92 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.38 per share on sales of $1.94 billion. Becton Dickinson lifted its 2012 forecast for revenue growth from flat to between 1% and 2%. It also raised its earnings forecast for the full year to $5.68 to $5.78 per share, versus $5.60 to $5.70 a share. Becton Dickinson shares closed at $78.45 yesterday.