Net income climbed to $157 million, or $1.11 a share, from $128 million, or 90 cents, a year earlier, the Oakland, California-based company said today in a statement. Sales fell less than 1 percent to $1.37 billion.

U.S. and international sales of disinfecting wipes rose in response to demand for protection from the H1N1 influenza pandemic, Clorox said. Higher prices outside the U.S. also contributed to a wider gross margin, a measure of profitability. The company boosted its full-year earnings forecast to $4.05 to $4.20 a share from a previous projection of $4 to $4.15.