NBTY of Ronkonkoma reports 1Q earnings

NBTY Inc., Ronkonkoma, Nutritional supplement maker

First quarter: Ended Dec. 31

Net income: Profit of $76 million, compared with profit of $13 million in the same period last year. The 2008 fiscal first quarter included a pretax charge of $8.6 million.

Net sales: $751 million compared with $661 million in the year-ago quarter.

Outlook: "Our significant increase in revenue and profitability reflect NBTY's ongoing initiatives to improve operations, control costs and expand our premiere position as the leading nutritional supplement company," said NBTY chairman and chief executive Scott Rudolph. "Our growing financial strength continues to play a vital role in generating future growth and shareholder value."

Company statement: Net income for this fiscal first quarter of 2010 reflects greater sales and improved supply chain management, both of which contributed to higher gross profits in all divisions.