Roper Industries Inc.'s (ROP) fourth-quarter net earnings were $71.92 million compared with $70.87 million in the previous year. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter remained flat at $0.77 per share. On average, 14 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $0.70 for the quarter. Analysts' estimate typically excludes one-time items.
Sales in the fourth quarter were $553.64 million, a 4% decrease from $575.86 million in the same period in 2008. Eight analysts estimated revenues of $529.84 million for the quarter.
Looking ahead to the first quarter, earnings per share are expected to be between $0.62 and $0.65, excluding an expected $0.03 impact from fair value adjustments to acquisition-related inventory. The company's guidance excludes future acquisitions. Nine analysts expect earnings per share of $0.61 for the first quarter.
In addition, the company expects full-year earnings per share to be between $2.83 and $3.03. Fourteen analysts anticipate 2010 earnings per share of $2.83.
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