Clorox reports 28 percent increase in 2Q profits as swine flu-related sales lift sales

Clorox posts 28 percent jump in 2Q profits

OAKLAND, Calif. — Household products maker Clorox Co. says its second-quarter profit jumped 28 percent as it continued to get a boost from sales linked to the swine flu.

Clorox says U.S. and international sales of its disinfecting products benefited from consumer demand associated with the H1N1 flu pandemic.

Favorable foreign exchange rates also contributed to the company’s strong quarter.

Net income for the last three months of 2009 was $110 million, or 77 cents per share. That was up from $86 million, or 61 cents a share, a year earlier.

The earnings were a penny better than analysts expected in a tough economic environment for consumer companies.

Clorox, based in Oakland, Calif., is known for its namesake bleach, Kingsford charcoal and other household products.