Dec 10, 2008 1:05 PM

Del Monte Foods Company reported net sales for the second quarter fiscal 2009 of $901.0 million, compared with $808.2 million a year ago, an increase of 11.5%. Income from continuing operations was $27.3 million, or $0.14 earnings per share from continuing operations (EPS), versus $25.7 million, or $0.13 EPS in the previous year.

The company reported net sales for the first half of fiscal 2009 of $1.627 billion versus $1.435 billion a year earlier, an increase of 13.4%. Income from continuing operations was $19.3 million, or $0.10 EPS, in contrast to $27.4 million, or $0.13 EPS in the previous year.

"I am pleased with the company’s quarterly performance, particularly the continued strength of our topline," said Richard G. Wolford, chairman and chief executive officer of Del Monte Foods. "Net sales growth reflects the fact that we are seeing the increased benefit from our pricing actions, which importantly, together with productivity actions, offset continued cost increases in the second quarter."