Bristol-Myers Squibb 3rd-qtr 2011 sales leap 11%

US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb posted third quarter 2011 net sales of $5.3 billion, an increase of 11%, or 8% excluding the impact of foreign exchange, compared to the same period a year ago. US net turnover rose 11% to $3.5 billion, while international net sales increased 12%, or 4% excluding foreign exchange, to $1.9 billion.

The company reported net earnings attributable to B-MS of $969 million, or $0.56 per share, in the quarter compared to $949 million, or $0.55 per share, a year ago. Non-GAAP net earnings attributable to B-MS were $1.0 billion, or $0.61 per share, in the third quarter compared to $1.0 billion, or $0.59 per share, for the same period in 2010. The sales figures beat consensus forecasts as did earnings, with analysts forecasting $0.59 a share, and B-MS’s stock rose 1.5% to $32.99 by close of trading yesterday..

B-MS refined its full year 2011 GAAP earnings per share guidance range to $2.13 to $2.18, from $2.08 to $2.18, and its non-GAAP EPS range to $2.25 to $2.30, from $2.20 to $2.30.