The H.J. Heinz Co. said sales growth along with a strategic move to hedge against currency fluctuations helped drive the Pittsburgh food company to a 22 percent increase in second quarter profit.

The company reported net income of $277 million, or 87 cents per share, in the three months ended Oct. 29 as compared to $227 million, or 71 cents, during the same period last year.

Analysts had been expecting an average of 76 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial Network.

Net sales rose to $2.6 billion in the quarter, up from $2.5 billion during the same period last year.

Sales grew in most geographic segments, including the North American consumer products division, Europe and the rest of the world, driven in part by price hikes. Unfavorable foreign exchange rates offset some gains.

Meanwhile, sales in the U.S. foodservice division that services restaurants and cafeterias fell 3.8 percent as Americans stop eating out as often.

The company said market prices for commodities such as packaging, potatoes, tomatoes and edible oils rose almost 15 percent during the quarter but strategic purchasing limited the net impact to 10 percent. Some of those commodity costs have started to come down lately.

Heinz reaffirmed its guidance for the fiscal year, projecting earnings per share in the range of $2.87 to $2.91. Analysts are looking for $2.90.