UPDATE: Rockwell Automation Posts Upbeat Q4 Earnings

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) reported better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter.The company projects FY15 earnings of $6.55 to $6.95 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $6.81 per share. It also expects organic sales growth of 2.5% to 6.5%, versus expectations for a 5% growth.The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company posted quarterly earnings of $248.7 million, or $1.79 per share, compared to $215.3 million, or $1.53 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, the company's earnings rose to $1.86 per share from $1.62 per share.Its revenue surged 3.9% to $1.78 billion, while organic sales increased 4.4%. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.82 per share on revenue of $1.8 billion.Sales for its control-products unit rose 3.3% to $1.03 billion, while sales for the company's architecture and software segment gained 4.6% to $747.4 million.Revenue from the United States surged 5% to $899.4 million in the quarter.During the quarter, Rockwell Automation repurchased 1.2 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $140.0 million.Keith D. Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Results in the quarter were about as we expected with strong earnings on solid sales growth. Adjusted EPS grew an impressive 15 percent on 4.4 percent organic sales growth.”Rockwell Automation shares gained 0.10% to close at $112.86 yesterday.