By Bill Berkrot

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pharmaceutical wholesaler McKesson Corp (MCK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) reported on Monday that quarterly profit rose a better-than-expected 19 percent, helped by growth in its drug distribution and health-care technology units as well as contributions from acquisitions.

The company also issued a 2009 forecast range above most analysts' estimates and announced a doubling of its quarterly dividend, and its shares advanced more than 4 percent.

McKesson said net profit rose to $307 million, or $1.05 per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, from $257 million, or 85 cents per share, a year ago.

Excluding items, the company earned $1.04 per share from continuing operations, topping analysts' average expectations by 4 cents, according to Reuters Estimates.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, McKesson expects to earn between $3.75 and $3.90 per share, an increase of 13 percent to 18 percent. Analysts expect earnings of $3.78 per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

"They beat on the bottom line, and their operating margin was higher than expected," said Deutsche Bank analyst Barbara Ryan.

"There may have been a little bit of nervousness going into the quarter on 2009 guidance, and I think this would be viewed favorably," she said of the forecast. "It all looks good."

San Francisco-based McKesson also said its board approved a doubling of the quarterly dividend to 12 cents per share and authorized an additional $1 billion share repurchase.