WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Medical and industrial products maker Danaher Corp. (DHR) Tuesday reported a higher fourth-quarter profit, helped by about 38 percent growth in revenues. The company also reaffirmed its earnings per share outlook for the full year 2012. In the fourth quarter, the company's net earnings increased to $570.71 million or $0.80 per share from $473.86 million or $0.69 per share a year ago. Earnings per share from continuing operations rose to $0.79 from $0.66 per share in the previous year. On an adjusted basis, excluding acquisition related costs, net earnings were $0.81 per share, higher than $0.64 per share reported a year ago. . On average, 21 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.78 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Sales for the quarter grew 37.5 percent to $4.72 billion from $3.43 billion in the same quarter last year. Analysts estimated revenues of $4.75 billion. Core revenues, or sales from existing businesses, increased 4 percent from the preceding year. Total operating margins were 16.5 percent, down from 17.3 percent a year ago. Commenting on the full year, Lawrence Culp, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the company said, '2011 was a tremendous year for Danaher. Our team's execution through the Danaher Business System led to an outstanding year of core revenue, earnings growth and a record $2.4 billion of free cash flow generation.' 'We believe our continued investments in growth and the structural cost actions undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2011 position us well for another year of superior financial performance,' Culp added. Looking ahead to the first quarter, the company expects net earnings per share to be in the range of $0.66 to $0.71. Analysts expect the company to earn $0.71 per share. The company also reaffirmed its full year 2012 net earnings per share guidance of $3.20 to $3.35. Analysts are looking for earnings of $3.29 per share for the year. DHR closed Monday's regular trading at $52.43 on the NYSE.
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