Second-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation (EBITDA) and one-off items rose to 846 million euros (672 million pounds), above the 834 million euros expected on average by analysts in a Reuters poll.

Merck said on Wednesday it still expected adjusted EBITDA of 3.3-3.4 billion euros in 2014, up from 3.25 billion last year, including the acquisition of Britain's AZ Electronic Materials for $2.6 billion (1.55 billion pounds), which it wrapped up in May.

The family-controlled company, which traces its roots to a 17th century pharmacy, said the acquisition resulted in a 3 percent sales increase in the April-to-June quarter, countered by a negative effect of 4.5 percent from the strong euro, which lowered the value of overseas sales.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Maria Sheahan)