Sigma-Aldrich Q4 Results Top Estimates; Issues FY14 Forecast - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (SIAL), a life science and high technology company, reported Thursday a higher profit in its fourth quarter, with increased sales. Adjusted earnings per share and sales beat analysts' estimates. Further, the company issued earnings forecast for fiscal 2014.

The fourth-quarter net income increased to $131 million from $116 million last year. Earnings per share grew 13 percent to $1.08 from prior year's $0.96.

Adjusted earnings per share, excluding certain tax benefits of $8 million, was $1.02.

On average, 16 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $1.01 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Sales for the quarter increased 5 percent to $684 million from $655 million a year ago. Analysts estimated revenues of $675.97 million for the quarter. Sales grew organically by 6 percent with changes in foreign currency exchange rates reducing sales by 1 percent.

Looking ahead for fiscal 2014, the company expects adjusted earnings per share within a range of $4.30 to $4.40, while analysts estimate earnings of $4.37 per share.

President and CEO Rakesh Sachdev said, "As we look to 2014, we see improving trends in several of our business segments and expect overall organic sales growth to be in the low-to-mid single digit range."