Archer Daniels Midland Co., the U.S. grain producer, announced on Friday that its fiscal second-quarter operating earnings had risen 11 per cent, beating forecasts, as sales in ethanol, feed and cocoa products boosted results, Reuters reports. Operating earnings rose to $228.9 million, or 20 cents a share in the quarter ended December 31, compared with $206.8 million, or 16 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Net earnings rose 22 percent to $124.6 million from $101.9 million the year earlier. Net sales in the quarter rose 7 percent to $4.9 billion from $4.6 billion a year ago.