Jacobs Engineering Profit Rises 17%

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. of Pasadena, said fiscal second-quarter profit increased 17% as sales rose and the company reduced interest expenses.

Net income for the quarter ended March 31 rose to $31.5 million, or 56 cents a share, from $26.9 million, or 49 cents, a year earlier, the company said. Revenue increased 4.9% to $1.2 billion from $1.15 billion a year ago.

The company’s shares fell 76 cents to $40.28 on the NYSE. The results were released after the close of regular U.S. trading.