Johnson & Johnson yesterday reported a 13 per cent jump in second-quarter profit, fuelled mainly by strong sales of several new medicines. The results topped analysts’ expectations.

The maker of Band-Aids, medical devices and biologic drugs raised its 2014 profit forecast for the second time this year, again up by a nickel to a new range of US$5.85 to US$5.92 per share. J&J shares rose 28 cents to US$105.38 in premarket trading.

J&J said earnings increased to US$4.33 billion, or US$1.51 per share, from US$3.83 billion, or US$1.33 per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to US$1.66 per share. The average per-share estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was US$1.54.

The world’s biggest maker of health care products said revenue rose 9.1 per cent to US$19.5 billion from US$17.88 billion in the same quarter a year earlier, and beat Wall Street forecasts. Analysts expected US$18.85 billion, according to Zacks.

The New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said prescription drug sales rose 21 per cent to US$8.51 billion, as sales climbed for new drugs including Olysio for hepatitis C and Xarelto for preventing heart attacks and strokes. The strong performance of the segment recently has helped it regain the lead over J&J’s device business and offset the lagging consumer segment, which is still recovering from dozens of product recalls since 2009.

Medical device sales edged up 0.7 per cent to US$7.24 billion, while consumer product sales increased 2.4 per cent to US$3.74 billion.

Johnson & Johnson shares have increased US$13.79, or 15 per cent, to US$105.38 since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has increased seven per cent. The stock has risen US$14.98, or 17 per cent, in the last 12 months.