Windstream 2Q Climbs 18%

Windstream (NYSE:WIN) reported on Friday an improved second-quarter profit that matched Wall Street expectations as sales edged higher and the company spent modestly.

The Little Rock, Ark.-based telecom company posted net income of $93.2 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with $79 million, or 17 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.

Excluding special items, the company earned 19 cents a share, matching average analyst estimates polled by Thomson Reuters.

On the heels of our five-year anniversary as a public company, it is gratifying to report that we grew revenue and improved the company's profitability year-over-year in the second quarter, said Windstream CEO Jeff Gardner.

Revenue for the three-month period was $1.03 billion, up 1% from $898 million a year ago, matching the Streets view.

The gains were led by a 3% improvement in business service sales to $498 million and 10% growth to $116 million in its consumer broadband unit.