Praxair Q4 Profit Matches Estimates - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Praxair Inc. (PX) reported fourth-quarter net income of $302 million or $1.03 per share, compared to $474 million or $1.59 per share, prior year. The results included charges to net income related to Venezuela currency devaluation, a bond redemption and a pension settlement. Excluding items, adjusted net income and earnings per share were $460 million and $1.57, respectively, for the quarter.

On average, 20 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $1.57 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Sales decreased to $2.99 billion from $3.01 billion last year. The company noted that sales in the fourth quarter were 3% above the prior-year quarter excluding negative currency translation effects. Analysts expected revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter.

For full-year 2015, Praxair expects sales in the range of $12 billion to $12.4 billion. The company expects earnings per share to be in the range of $6.15 to $6.50. Analysts expect the company to report full year 2015 earnings per share of $6.70 on revenue of $12.80 billion.

For the first quarter of 2015, Praxair expects earnings per share in the range of $1.39 to $1.47. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $1.58.