ful +6 to 50

H.B. Fuller Co.'s (FUL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) first-quarter profits more than doubled because of lower manufacturing costs and a better product mix, the paint and adhesive company said on Tuesday.

Net income rose to $15.3 million, or 52 cents a share, from $6.5 million, or 22 cents, a year earlier.

Analysts, on average, expected the St. Paul, Minnesota, company to earn 27 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Because of the strong first quarter and increased confidence, the company now expects fiscal 2006 earnings to range between $2.55 and $2.65 a share, beating the average analyst forecast of $2.11, according to Reuters.

H.B. Fuller's new outlook includes recent acquisitions of the Roanoke Companies Group and Henkel's insulating glass sealant assets.

For 2007, the additions are expected to boost diluted earnings per share between 12 cents and 18 cents a share, the company said.

also, today, tif -2 to 38, acn -2 to 29