Ingram Micro Profit Rises

Santa Ana-based electronics distributor Ingram Micro Inc. reported fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as sales surged in Asia and Latin America.

Net income at the world’s largest distributor of computers, software and electronics increased 6.5% to $84.4 million, or 51 cents a share, from $79.2 million, or 48 cents, a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Sales rose 6.7% to $7.96 billion.

Sales in Asia surged 27%, while revenue in Latin America increased 25%, the company said. Ingram Micro also has tackled costs by farming out customer service and financial and technical support to contractors in India and the Philippines.

European sales were little changed because of currency fluctuations. They would have gained 10% without the currency changes. North American sales increased 4%.

Shares of Ingram Micro, which closed at $20.19, rose $1.01, or 5%, in after-hours trading after the earnings announcement.