Danaher Corp. (NYSE: DHR), Washington, DC, reported second-quarter sales of $4.7 billion, up 4 percent over the same period a year ago. Core revenues increased 2.5 percent. Profit grew 3.5 percent to $616.8 million.

For the six months ended June 28, sales were $9.2 billion, up 3.5 percent over the first half of 2012. Profit increased 7.9 percent to $1.3 billion.

"As we look to the second half of the year, we maintain a conservative macro outlook, while remaining confident in our ability to deliver solid operating margin expansion, said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., president and CEO.  "Our earnings outperformance in the second quarter allows us to make additional high impact growth investments and to fund productivity and efficiency initiatives that we believe will position us well for the balance of 2013 and beyond."

Danaher manufactures science and technology products for professional, medical, industrial and commercial customers.