UPDATE: Ball Posts Downbeat Q4 Earnings, Revenue Tops Views

reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter. However, the company reported upbeat quarterly revenue. The Broomfield, Colorado-based company posted a quarterly profit of $76 million, or $0.54 per share, compared to $124.5 million, or $0.85 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding non-recurring items, the company earned $0.84 per share. Its revenue came in flat at $2.03 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.85 per share on revenue of $1.98 billion. Metal beverage packaging, Americas and Asia, comparable segment operating earnings fell to $134.0 million from $147.3 million in the quarter, while Metal beverage packaging, Europe, comparable segment operating earnings slipped to $29.9 million from $39.4 million. Metal food and household products packaging comparable segment operating earnings declined to $35.1 million from $36.8 million, while Aerospace and technologies comparable segment earnings shrank to $23.5 million from $25.1 million. "Given the strength of our 2014 financial performance, we've created a challenging earnings comparison for 2015, especially in the first half when we are ramping up multiple global capital projects and awaiting the award of additional aerospace contracts," John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer said. "We expect the second half to be stronger than the first half and it is unlikely we will attain our long-term 10-15 percent earnings per diluted share growth goal in 2015." Ball shares rose 1.22% to close at $66.15 yesterday.