WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Airgas Inc (ARG) Thursday reported third quarter net income of $72.30 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, higher than net income of $55.83 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, reported for the corresponding quarter last year. The third quarter results included SAP implementation costs and other items, Excluding these special items, the company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.97, an increase of 21% from $0.80 per share reported for the same period last year. On average, 13 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the co0mpany to report earnings per share of $0.97 for the third quarter. Analysts estimate typically exclude special items. Third quarter net sales increased 12% to $1.15 billion from $1.03. billion reported for the same period last year. Looking forward, the Company expects adjusted earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to increase 18% to 23% to $1.04 to $1.08.
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