UPDATE 2-PerkinElmer income falls, keeps 2009 outlook

* Q1 adjusted EPS $0.26 vs Wall Street estimates of $0.20

* Sees 2009 net EPS down to mid-single digits to mid-teens

* Shares up 5.7 pct (Adds analyst comment, sales details, share move)

By Bill Berkrot

NEW YORK, April 30 (Reuters) - Scientific instruments maker PerkinElmer Inc (PKI.N) reported lower but better-than-expected first quarter profit on Thursday and maintained its full-year earnings forecast, citing risks in the global economy.

Excluding items, the company had adjusted earnings of 26 cents per share, topping analysts' average expectations by 6 cents, according to Reuters Estimates, and its shares rose more than 5 percent.

The Waltham, Massachusetts-based company posted net earnings from continuing operations of $15.1 million, or 13 cents per share, compared with a profit of $20.1 million, or 18 cents per share, a year ago.

"It was a good quarter for these guys. I underestimated their ability to weather the storm on revenues," said Leerink Swann analyst Issac Ro.

"They had a good beat versus the Street, but the company still faces a lot of headwinds. You've got parts of the business that are tied to very capital constrained end markets such as the medical imaging panels."