Gerber Scientific Inc. tripled its fiscal first quarter profits amid signs of improving markets for the South Windsor automated equipment maker.
Gerber earned $1.5 million, or 6 cents a share, in the three months ended July 31, up from $514,000, or 2 cents a share, earned the same period last year.
Revenues rose 8 percent to $118.3 million in the first quarter from $109.4 million a year ago. The company said unfavorable foreign currency actions cut its revenue by $3.4 million.
Wall Street reacted to the news by driving up Gerber’s stock up 22 percent. At mid-morning, its shares were up $1.12 to $6.25.
Improvements in its operating margins boosted its cash flow to a net $7.2 million in the quarter, some of which was used to continue to reduce Gerber’s outstanding debt, said President and CEO Marc T. Giles.
 “We were very encouraged by the company’s performance this past quarter and remain cautiously optimistic that the recovery is underway in our markets,” Giles said in a statement accompanying earnings.
