DaVita’s 3rd-Quarter Profit Up Fourfold

DaVita Inc.’s third-quarter earnings rose fourfold as the operator of almost 500 dialysis centers in the U.S. raised fees and improved bill collection.

Net income rose to $44.3 million, or 47 cents a share, from $9.7 million, or 12 cents, a year earlier, the company said. Revenue rose 14% to $412 million.

DaVita said clients paid more of their bills because the company improved its collection system. Shares of the Torrance-based company rose 89 cents to close at $18.99 on the New York Stock Exchange.