& #8226; Diagnostic Products Corp.

, an L.A.-based maker of test kits to detect diseases, reported net income of $20.9 million (69 cents per diluted share) for the second quarter ended June 30, compared with $18.6 million (62 cents) for the like period a year earlier. Revenue rose 14 percent to $125.5 million from $110.5 million in the comparable period of the prior year.

The results beat the average analysts’ estimate of 66 cents per share on revenue of $122.5 million.

& #8226; j2 Global Communications Inc.

, an L.A.-based messaging and communications services company, reported net income of $11.7 million (46 cents per diluted share) for the second quarter ended June 30, compared with $7.5 million (29 cents) for the like period a year earlier. Revenue rose 35 percent to $34.9 million from $25.8 million in the comparable period of the prior year.

Analysts had expected earnings of 42 cents per share on revenues of $34.7 million.

J2 Global said it expects third-quarter earnings of 48 cents to 49 cents per share on revenues of $37.4 million to $38 million. And based on performance from the second quarter, the company raised its full-year earnings forecast to $1.82 to $1.87 per share from previous guidance of $1.70 to $1.75 per share. Earlier revenue guidance of $145 million to $148 million remains unchanged.

& #8226; Specialty Laboratories Inc.

named David Weavil its chief executive officer, effective July 22. Weavil will receive a base salary of $400,000. He has served as a healthcare industry consultant since 1999, following two years as CEO of Unilab Corp. Specialty Laboratories’ former CEO, Douglas Harrington, left the Valencia-based medical testing services provider on March 29. The move followed by just four days the departure of Chairman Richard Belluzzo.

& #8226; Hilton Hotels Corp.

said it sold 11 hotels for $416 million and announced plans to sell eight more to accrue assets. The sales are to ensure a greater share of profits from managing and franchising hotels for other owners, rather than owning the properties outright.

Proceeds from its sales of Hilton Hotels, Doubletree Hotels and Homewood Suites, between May and July, totaled about $335 million after debt repayment, partner distributions, selling costs and income taxes. The Beverly Hills-based company sold properties in a number of cities, including Anaheim, Washington, D.C., Brentwood, Tenn., and Charlotte, N.C., during that time.

Sales of the eight other hotels are expected to close by the end of the year.

& #8226; TBA Global Events

, a marketing and corporate events company, acquired all the assets of Washington, DC-based Production Group International, a strategic events agency. Financial details were not disclosed. TBA said the acquisition will increase its annual revenue by $175 million and expand its clientele to Europe and Canada. The company will continue to have headquarters in Los Angeles.

& #8226; Talon Graphics

agreed to be purchased by MFA Atelier Inc., a division of Marco Fine Arts Inc., to form MFA Talon Graphics Inc. The El Segundo-based fine art print house said that Talon’s President Joyce Kasprzyk will become the president of sales and marketing for MFA Talon. And Al Marco, the founder of Marco Fine Arts and MFA Atelier, will serve as chief executive officer of MFA Talon Graphics Inc. Financial details were not disclosed.