Align Technology (NSDQ:ALGN) is tracking nearly 2 points higher today after posting 2nd-quarter figures that beat analysts’ expectations.
For the 3 months ended June 30, 2013, the San Jose, Calif.-based dental devices maker posted sales 12.5% higher and profits 2.8% higher than during the same period last year. Per-share earnings beat analysts’ expectations by 22%.
In separate statements the company touted a win in its ongoing efforts to defend its patents and reported 2 new hires to its executive team.
"I’m pleased to report another good quarter with better than expected revenues, gross margins and earnings," Align president & CEO Thomas Prescott said in prepared remarks. "Strong 2nd quarter results were driven by higher Invisalign volumes and ASPs, with sequential growth across all customer channels."
The company posted $29.4 million in profit, or 36¢ per diluted share, on sales of $163.8 million, according to a company statement. That compared with earnings of $28.5 million, or 34¢ per share, on sales of $145.6 million during Q2 of 2012.
Analysts had predicted per-share earnings of 28¢ for the most recent quarter. ALGN closed at an increase of $1.9% at $39.65 today, climbing to $41.99 in after-hours trading.
In a separate release Align reported that it made 2 additions to its management team, naming David White its new chief financial officer, effective immediately, and John Graham chief marketing officer and vice president of marketing, effective July 22.
The device maker also notched a win in Germany when a Dusseldorf District Court Judge issued permanent injunctions preventing Ortho Caps GmbH and Rasteder KFO Spezial-Labor GmbH products that Align had accused of infringement.
Align has been actively fighting battles overseas against companies that it says violate various of its patents covering its flagship transparent orthodontic mouthpieces. Earlier this year the International Trade Commission found that Pakistani dental device maker ClearCorrect and a U.S. affiliate infringed 7 of Align’s patents.
