UPDATE: Dow Chemical Posts Upbeat Q4 Profit, Lifts Dividend

Dow Chemical Co

posted a profit in the fourth quarter. Dow Chemical swung to a quarterly profit of $963 million, or $0.79 per share, versus a year-ago loss of $716 million, or $0.61 per share. Excluding certain items, it earned $0.65 per share. Its revenue surged to $14.39 billion from $13.92 billion. However, analysts were estimating earnings of $0.43 per share on revenue of $14.14 billion. The company lifted its dividend by 15% and increased its stock buyback program to $4.5 billion. Dow Chemical shares gained 5.95% to $45.62 in pre-market trading.