Nordson announces Q1 earnings - EPS increase by 21%

- First quarter 2006 represents records for sales, earnings and earnings per share
- Sales volume increased 24 percent in Advanced Technology Systems segment
- Asia Pacific and United States sales volumes increased 14 percent and 10 percent, respectively

Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) announced record sales and earnings for the first quarter, which ended January 31, 2006. On a diluted basis, earnings per share for the quarter were $.47 compared with $.39 for the same period of 2005, a 21 percent increase.
 
Included in first quarter operating expenses was a $982,000 charge, or $.02 per share, related to the adoption of new accounting guidelines for the expensing of stock options. In addition, charges related to the restructuring of the Finishing and Coating Systems segment amounted to $1.2 million, or $.02 per share.

Worldwide sales for the first quarter of 2006 were $197.5 million, a 4 percent increase compared with sales of $190.2 million for the same period of 2005. Volume gains of 7 percent were offset by unfavorable currency effects of 3 percent.