New York  - Johnson & Johnson, a New Brunswick-based pharmaceuticals and cosmetics company, has raised its profit forecast for the year, following the release of strong third quarter results.

Profits rose 30 per cent in the third quarter to 3.3 billion dollars. The company said Tuesday that sales have risen 6 per cent to 15.9 billion dollars due to strong exports.

The company's cosmetics and personal hygiene lines, such as bebe, Penaten and Neutrogena, did particularly well. Medical technology divisions also performed strongly.

However, the company's pharmaceutical divisions continued to ward off threats from companies producing generic medicines.

The results outperformed analysts' expectations. This is the third time the company has raised its annual forecast. Johnson & Johnson now foresees earnings of between 4.50 and 4.53 dollars a share. (dpa)