Zep Inc.'s (ZEP) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 13% as the commercial cleaning-products company reported improved sales in many of its markets while higher materials costs hurt margins.

Chief Executive John K. Morgan said increased sales in segments such as automotive, home improvement retail, vehicle wash offset volume declines within end-markets such as government, institutional and janitorial.

The company--whose products range from Armor All Professional products used at car washes to insecticides sold by mass retailers--has been grappling with soft demand from small-business customers and high commodities prices that have outpaced its ability to raise prices

More at source: Wall Street Journal