Ball Corp. (BLL) reported that its fourth quarter net earnings attributable the company were $81.4 million, or $0.85 per share, compared to $33.8 million, or $0.36 per share in the fourth quarter of 2008.
On a comparable basis, earnings per share of $0.84 in the fourth quarter increased significantly over earnings per share of $0.56 in 2008. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.71 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Net sales for the quarter were $1.86 billion, compared to $1.73 billion in the prior year quarter. Eight analysts had consensus revenue estimate of $1.85 billion for the quarter.
The company expects full-year 2010 earnings to be above those of 2009. Analysts expects the company to report earnings of $4.39 per share for fiscal 2010.
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