NEW YORK (Reuters) - Industrial conglomerate Danaher Corp (DHR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) reported higher first-quarter earnings on Thursday as strong sales of professional and medical technology, including tools, offset weak consumer demand.

Acquisitions, including the purchase of electronic testing company Tektronix, and the weak U.S. dollar also helped boost results.

Net earnings rose 9 percent to $276.5 million, or 83 cents per share, from $254.8 million, or 78 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding acquisition-related charges, earnings from continuing operations were 89 cents per share, a penny above analysts' average forecast as compiled by Reuters Estimates.

"We were encouraged by strong orders during the quarter, which gives us confidence in our ability to deliver positive results for the balance of 2008," said Chief Executive Lawrence Culp.

Washington-based Danaher, maker of Craftsman tools as well as water testing equipment and dental tools, said revenue jumped 20 percent to $3.03 billion, just below an average Wall Street forecast of $3.04 billion.

So-called "core" sales growth -- which comes from existing businesses -- was 2 percent, below the company's long-term target of 5 percent to 7 percent.

The rest of the sales gain stemmed from acquisitions and the benefit of a weaker dollar.

"The bottom line is that while the stock is probably weak on the organic growth trade today, this result does not represent a change to the thesis that this company can deliver on expectations despite weakness in select end markets," JP Morgan analyst Stephen Tusa said in a research note.