Lafarge Posts Higher Q4 Profit

French company Lafarge SA

reported a rise in its fourth-quarter net profit. Lafarge's quarterly net profit surged to 213 million euros ($293 million), versus EUR83 million, in the year-ago period. Its revenue slipped 2% to EUR3.71 billion. However, analysts were expecting a profit of EUR194 million on revenue of EUR3.65 billion. Lafarge shares closed at $18.11 yesterday.