Dole Posts 2nd-Quarter Profit Hike of 17%

Dole Food Co. reported a 17% increase in 1998 second-quarter earnings, compared with the year-ago period.

Second-quarter earnings increased to $82.1 million or $1.35 per share from $70.4 million or $1.17 per share in the second quarter of 1997.

Westlake Village-based Dole, the world’s largest producer and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables, saw second-quarter revenue of $1.2 billion, an increase of about 5% from the $1.1 billion take during the year-ago quarter.

The company also declared a quarterly dividend of 10 cents per share, payable on Dec. 10, 1998, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 19, 1998.