Summary Box: Nestle beats expectations with $5 billion half-year profit, raises outlook

Summary Box: Nestle turns $5B profit, ups outlook

MMM, GOOD: Swiss food and drinks company Nestle SA posted better-than-expected earnings for the first half of the year and raised its full-year outlook on strong global sales.

BOTTOM LINE: The maker of Nescafe coffee, Jenny Craig meals and Haagen-Dazs ice cream said profit rose 7.5 percent to 5.45 billion Swiss francs ($5 billion). Sales increased to 55 billion francs ($52 billion) from 52 billion francs, as growth in emerging markets outpaced slower ice cream sales in Europe and lower demand in North America for frozen foods.

WHAT’S AHEAD: Nestle expects its core food and drinks business to grow 5 percent, up from a prior estimate of more than 3.9 percent. Volatile exchange rates and commodity prices, particularly for milk, could affect full-year results.