Actuant Corp. (NYSE: ATU), Milwaukee, WI, reported sales for the second quarter ended Feb. 28, 2010, were generally flat compared to the same period a year ago at $294 million. Core sales declined 3%. Profit for the diversified industrial company more than doubled to $7.15 million.

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For the first six months, sales were $599.4 million, down 9.8% from the prior year period. Year-to-date core sales declined 13%. Profit improved 28.4% to $19 million.

In the Industrial Segment, second quarter sales were $69.2 million, down 3.5%. Cored sales decreased 7%. Operating profit was down 30.1% to $10.9 million. For the first six months, sales were down 17.1% to $134.5 million.

Energy segment sales declined 9.4% to $53.9 million during the second quarter. Core sales fell 14%. For the first six months, sales were $117.9 million, down 11.7%.

Sales in the Electrical segment during the second quarter were $81.7 million, a decline of 8.9%. Core sales also decreased 9% during the period. For the first six month, Electrical segment sales were down 12.6% to $168.3 million.

Sales in the Engineered Solution segment were up 22.6% to $89.4 million. For the first six months, sales were $178.6 million, an increase of 1.3%.