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UAP Holding posts slightly higher 2nd-qtr earnings

*UAPH didn't trade after-hours, the initial reaction will be felt in Friday's trading...

UAP Holding posts slightly higher 2nd-qtr earnings
Thu Oct 6, 2005 05:02 PM ET

LOS ANGELES, Oct 6 (Reuters) - UAP Holding Corp. (UAPH.O: Quote, Profile, Research) , which distributes agricultural fertilizers and pest and weed killers, on Thursday posted slightly higher quarterly earnings on lower supply costs and improved sales.

Analysts surveyed by Reuters Estimates had expected a bigger gain in quarterly earnings, and shares in UAP Holding slipped in after-hours trade.

The Greeley, Colorado-based company posted net income of $23.3 million, or 44 cents per share, compared with $21.8 million, or 43 cents per share a year earlier.

Net sales for the fiscal second quarter ended Aug. 28 rose to $757.5 million, up 8 percent from $704 million a year earlier.

On average, analysts surveyed by Reuters Estimates had projected quarterly earnings per share of 50 cents on sales of $733.37 million.

Shares of UAP Holding, which closed at $17.95 on the Nasdaq, slipped to $17.84 in after-hours trade. The stock had gained almost 9 percent since late August.


LINK: http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh68896_2005-10-06_21-02-25_n06...