US snack maker Diamond Foods has upped its earnings forecast for the second half of the year as its acquisition of crisp firm Kettle Foods nears a close.

Diamond, which last month agreed a US$615m deal to buy Kettle, said it expects to close the acquisition sooner than it had thought.

The company said it now expects to seal the deal at the end of the month after receiving the early termination of a waiting period under antitrust rules.

“Based on the accelerated close, the company now expects to generate $0.47 to $0.50 in non-GAAP EPS during the second half of FY2010, compared to $0.44 to $0.48 reflected in previous guidance,” Diamond said. “The new guidance reflects continuing strong Diamond operating results and the addition of Kettle operations for four months.”