UPDATE 1-MeadWestvaco profit up, boosted by higher prices

NEW YORK, July 24 (Reuters) - Packaging products maker MeadWestvaco Corp (MWV.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday its second-quarter earnings nearly doubled as price increases and strong sales in emerging markets helped offset higher costs.

Net income was $56 million, or 33 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $32 million, or 17 cents a share.

Income from continuing operations was 34 cents per share, including after-tax restructuring charges of 3 cents per share related to facility closures, and an after-tax gain of 5 cents per share related to a sale of corporate real estate.

Sales from continuing operations increased 8 percent to $1.71 billion. (Reporting by Edward Tobin; Editing by John Wallace)