US Nalco Q4 op earnings fall 11% to $119.7m

05 February 2008 23:50  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US water chemicals firm Nalco reported on Tuesday fourth-quarter operating earnings of $119.7m (€80.2m), down 11% from $130.8m reported for the same time in 2006, as sales failed to keep up with costs.

The company reported fourth-quarter net sales of $1.034bn, up 9% from $946.8m reported for the same time in 2006.

Operating costs were $914.4m, up 12% from the fourth quarter of 2006. Within those expenses, fourth-quarter cost of products was $565.7m, up 11% from the same time last year.

Selling, administrative and research expenses were $327.0m, up 14% from the same time in 2006.

Nalco struggled with higher costs for raw material and freight during the fourth quarter, the company said. In addition, profits declined in Europe, the company said.

For all of 2007, Nalco reported net sales of $3.913bn, up from $3.603bn reported for 2006. Operating costs were $3.436bn, up from $31702b n reported for 2006.

Operating earnings in 2007 were $476.2m, up from $433.0m reported for 2006.

($1.00 = €0.67)

By: Al Greenwood
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly