Estee Lauder’s Profit Up 22% on Solid Makeup Sales

The Estee Lauder Cos. posted a better-than-expected 22% increase in its fiscal second quarter profit amid solid sales growth in skin care products and makeup. The New York-based company said Thursday net income rose to $109.6 million for the period ended Dec. 31, from $90.1 million a year earlier.

Sales grew 8.8% to $1.41 billion from $1.3 billion. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange, the company said net sales rose 6%. Skin care product sales climbed 8% to $479.3 million, and fragrance sales increased 7% to $386.3 million. Makeup sales rose 11% to $476.8 million amid double-digit growth by makeup artist brands such as of M.A.C and Bobbi Brown.

Estee Lauder said it expects sales for the second half of the year to increase 5-6% on a constant currency basis.