Praxair sales up 4 percent
Praxair said its third quarter sales were $3.14 billion, 4% above the prior year.
Organic sales grew 5% from higher volumes, including new project start-ups, in North America, South America and Asia, and higher price across all operating segments. By end-market, sales growth was strongest for manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare and metals customers.
“Volume growth was mixed. In North America, our U.S. and Canadian businesses grew quite well, while sales to energy-related customers in Mexico remained weak," said chairman and chief executive officer Steve Angel.
In North America, third-quarter sales were $1.63 billion, 3% above the prior-year quarter and up 4% excluding negative currency translation impacts. Organic sales growth of 2% was driven primarily by higher pricing and increased sales to the manufacturing, metals, food and beverage and healthcare end-markets. Higher sales to energy customers in the U.S. and Canada were mostly offset by weaker energy sales in Mexico. Acquisitions contributed 1% growth, primarily U.S. packaged gas distributors.
Net income of $477 million compared to income of $445 million in the same period last year.
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