Cooper Cos. Profit Up

Nearly 20% for Quarter

Cooper Cos. on Wednesday posted a gain of nearly 20% in third-quarter profits, due mainly to a lower tax rate than expected and strong sales from its women’s health-care business.

The Lake Forest provider of health-care products said it earned $10.4 million, or 67 cents a share, up from $8.7 million, or 59 cents a share, a year ago, excluding $1 million in one-time charges. Analysts had estimated earnings of 66 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial/First Call.

Sales rose to $60 million from $50.9 million, led by a 28% jump in revenue at CooperSurgical, the women’s health-care unit. Contact-lens revenue climbed 15%.

The stock, however, fell $6.48 Wednesday to $48.50 on the New York Stock Exchange.