Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp., Cleveland, OH, reported sales in the second quarter were $2.90 billion, 32% below the second quarter of 2008. Core sales were down 26%. Profit was $29 million compared to $333 million in 2008.

For the first six months, sales were $5.7 billion, down 26.5% from the first half of 2008. The company recorded a loss of $21 million for the period, compared to profit of $580 million the prior year period.

"As we survey our end markets, the year is shaping up to be considerably weaker than we had forecast in April," CEO Alexander M. Cutler said. "We now anticipate our overall end markets will decline by between 21 and 22% versus our earlier forecast of a decline between 15 and 16%."

Second quarter sales for the Electrical Americas segment …