WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Tobacco firm Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) on Wednesday reported a rise in profit for the fourth quarter, helped by lower costs amid near-flat revenues. Adjusted earnings topped Wall Street consensus estimate.
Net income for the quarter grew to $304 million from $262 million. Earnings per share increased to $0.52 from 0.45.
Excluding non-cash charges of $0.05 per share for trademark impairments and $0.15 per share for mark-to-market adjustments for pension and postretirement plans, adjusted earnings increased to $0.72 per share from $0.64 per share due to higher pricing and productivity improvements.
On average, 11 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.69 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Net sales edged up to $2.083 billion from $2.081 billion. Wall Street expected revenues of $2.12 billion.
Looking ahead, RAI expects earnings per share of $2.91 to $3.01 in 2012. Wall Street expects earnings of $2.92 per share to $3.04 per share in 2012.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
© 2012 AFX News
