(RTTNews) -  AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC: News ) said its fourth-quarter net income rose to $130.15 million or $0.44 per share from $114.91 million or $0.36 per share in the prior year quarter. Income from continuing operations for the recent quarter grew to $130.15 million from $115.06 million in the year earlier period.

On average, 16 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $0.40 for the quarter. Analysts' estimate typically excludes one-time items.

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased 9% to $18.72 billion from $17.16 billion in the comparable period. Thirteen analysts estimated revenues of $18.06 billion for the quarter.
For the fiscal year 2010, the company expects earnings per share in the range of $1.82 - $1.92. Seventeen analysts estimate fiscal 2010 earnings per share of $1.84. Subject to the approval of the company's board and market conditions, AmerisourceBergen expects to spend about $350 million to repurchase its common shares in fiscal year 2010.

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by RTT Staff Writer

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