Beckman lifts sales outlook, keeps profit forecast

Biomedical diagnostics instrument maker Beckman Coulter Inc. raised the low end of its annual profit forecast Friday, and maintained its profit expectations.

Beckman Coulter expects to earn between $3.55 and $3.65 per share in 2008, and now expects revenue to grow 12 to 13 percent. That implies a range of $3.09 billion to $3.12 billion.

The company reported revenue of $2.76 billion in 2007, and had previously expected growth of 11 to 13 percent.

Analysts expect $3.61 per share and $3.09 billion in revenue on average, according to Thomson Financial.

Beckman Coulter also reported a larger adjusted profit and greater revenue than analysts were expecting. In morning trading, its shares rose $2.04, or 2.9 percent, to $71.89.