Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2009. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter of $0.90, which excludes a $1.7 billion after-tax gain from the sale of the company's interest in Merial Limited as well as restructuring charges and pre-closing merger-related expenses. Third-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.61.
Worldwide sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $6.0 billion, an increase of 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2008. Foreign exchange for the third quarter unfavorably affected global sales performance by 3 percent. Net income for the third quarter was $3,424.3 million, compared with $1,092.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, worldwide sales were $17.3 billion and net income was $6,405.6 million.