** Shares of water heater maker A. O. Smith AOS.N up 6.57% at $76.07, highest in more than eight months

** Company reports Q2 net sales of $1 billion, higher than analysts' estimates of $996 million, according to data compiled by LSEG

** AOS reports Q2 adj. profit of $1.07 per share, above estimates of $0.98 per share

** Company sees FY25 adj. EPS in the range of $3.70 to $3.90, with the midpoint below estimates of $3.78

** Company expects to spend about $400 million on share repurchase in 2025

** AOS expects FY25 consolidated sales to grow between 1% and 3%

** As of last close, stock up ~12.08%

(Reporting by Megha Kumari)

((Megha.Kumari@thomsonreuters.com;))