Feb 6 (Reuters) - Medical equipment maker Mettler-Toledo International ( MTD ) forecast

annual profit above estimates on Thursday, banking on strong demand for its laboratory

instruments used in drug development.

The company had said in November that market conditions remain soft, especially in China,

but added that it expects them to gradually improve throughout 2025.

Some analysts are hopeful that a recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve could

improve funding for small- and medium-sized biotechs, as borrowing costs might ease and boost

demand.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company forecast 2025 adjusted profit in the range of $42.35 to

$43.00 per share, compared to analysts' estimates of $42.13 per share, as per data compiled by

LSEG.

Mettler-Toledo ( MTD ) said its profit forecast includes headwinds from shipping delays and a

stronger dollar.

The firm's fourth-quarter sales rose 12% to $1.05 billion, beating estimates of $1.01

billion.

On an adjusted basis, Mettler-Toledo ( MTD ) earned a profit of $12.41 per share for the quarter

ending December 31, topping analysts' estimates of $11.71 each.

The company had also said that it would benefit from the prior-year shipping delays in the

fourth quarter.