Quaker Chemical Corporation announced record quarterly sales for the second quarter of $137.6 million and net income of $4.2 million, increases of 15.9%, and 38.7%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2006. Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.41 from $0.30 for the second quarter of 2006.
Second Quarter 2007 Summary: Net sales for the second quarter were $137.6 million, compared to $118.7 million for the second quarter of 2006. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to a combination of volume growth and higher sales prices. Volume growth was mainly attributable to strong sales growth in Asia/Pacific, South America and Europe, as well as higher revenue related to the Company's CMS channel.
Foreign exchange rate translation also increased revenues by approximately 4% for the second quarter of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. Selling price increases were realized across all regions and market segments, in part as an ongoing effort to offset higher raw material costs. CMS revenues were higher due to additional CMS accounts and the first quarter 2007 renewal and restructuring of several of the Company's CMS contracts.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 31.0% for the second quarter of 2007, compared to 30.4% for the second quarter of 2006. Higher selling prices and additional contribution from the Company's CMS channel helped improve margins. On a sequential basis, the second quarter 2007 gross margin percentage was in line with the first quarter 2007 gross margin percentage of 30.9%.