that billionaire businessman H. Wayne Huizenga covets, said second-quarter earnings rose 13 percent on the strength of its electronic-security business.

ADT reported profit from operations of $32.6 million, or 23 cents a share, compared with net income of $28.8 million, or 22 cents, in the same period a year ago.

The most recent results include a charge of $1.2 million. A per-share figure on the charge wasn't immediately available.

Revenue fell 5.2 percent to $361.3 million from $381.3 million, although electronic-security sales rose 5.7 percent to $286.0 million from $270.6 million. Expenses related to sales fell 10 percent to $183.9 million from $205.3 million, further bolstering profit.

ADT, which is based in Bermuda and has a US headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, has now set its sights on becoming part of Huizenga's growing financial empire at Republic Industries Inc.

Republic agreed a month ago to buy ADT for about $4 billion in stock and assumed debt in a move that would make the Fort Lauderdale-based company the largest provider of electronic security in the US.

ADT was already the biggest security company in the US and the UK. Republic, which also has a trash collection business, was seventh. The combined companies will have 1.6 million security customers and estimated annual sales next year of $5 billion.

Huizenga also wanted control of ADT's US vehicle auction business to serve as a pipeline to his plans for a nationwide chain of used-car superstores under the name AutoNation USA.

Operating income at ADT's US auction division rose 25 percent to $12.9 million from $10.3 million. Sales rose 8.7 percent to $75.3 million from $69.3 million.

ADT, meanwhile, said yesterday it's also pursuing some acquisitions in the US that could close during the third or fourth quarters.

The company warned, however, that growing competition in its home-security division is pushing down prices and profit. ADT gained 69,000 residential customers in the quarter, compared with 60,000 in the first quarter.

Shares of ADT rose 1/8 to 18 7/8 in late-morning trading.