Albemarle Corp. (ALB) reported its fourth quarter earnings of $62.3 million or $0.68 per share, compared to $13.1 million or $0.14 per share in the same period last year.
Excluding special items and one-time tax benefits, fourth quarter earnings were $58.7 million or $0.64 per share, up 54% year over year.
Net sales for the quarter increased to $558.23 million from $517.73 million in the corresponding period last year.
On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.57 per share for the quarter on revenues of $528.87 million. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
For fiscal 2010, the company expects its overall performance to follow the gradually improving market conditions through the year. Rising raw material, energy and other costs such as pension expense may provide headwinds in 2010 that were not present in 2009. The company expects operating efficiency gains, new product sales, particularly in alternative fuels and improving consumer appetite for electronics to help overcome the headwinds and provide the basis for both top and bottom-line growth for Albemarle in 2010.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com