05 Feb 15. Ball Corporation (BLL) reported full-year 2014 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $470.0m (including after tax charges of $82.8m, or 58 cents per diluted share for business consolidation costs, debt refinancing costs and other activities), or $3.30 per diluted share, on sales of $8.6bn, compared to $406.8m, or $2.73 per diluted share, on sales of $8.5bn in 2013. Ball’s full-year 2014 results were comparable net earnings of $552.8m, or $3.88 per diluted share, compared to $489.6m, or $3.28 per diluted share, in 2013. Fourth quarter 2014 net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation were $76.0m, or 54 cents per diluted share, on sales of $2.0bn, compared to $124.5m, or 85 cents per diluted share, on sales of $2.0bn, in the fourth quarter of 2013. On a comparable basis, Ball’s fourth quarter results were net earnings of $118.0m, or 84 cents per diluted share, compared to $126.8m, or 86 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013. Details of comparable segment earnings for the full year and the fourth quarter can be found in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that accompany this news release.
Aerospace and Technologies
Aerospace and technologies comparable segment results were operating earnings of $93.6m on sales of $934.8m in 2014, compared to $80.1m on sales of $897.1m in 2013. For the fourth quarter, earnings were $23.5m on sales of $251.3m, compared to $25.1m on sales of $222.1m in the fourth quarter of 2013. Contracted backlog at the close of the year was $765m.
Full-year comparable operating earnings were up significantly due to exceptional program performance across the business and key product deliveries and launches during 2014. Fourth quarter performance was roughly in line with 2013 as the segment continues to position itself for nontraditional growth projects to leverage its existing capabilities ahead of the award of additional U.S. government contracts out for bid.
Outlook
“We achieved record free cash flow in excess of $620m in 2014 and anticipate full-year 2015 free cash flow to be in roughly the same range,” said Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer.
05 Feb 15. Carlisle Companies Incorporated (CSL) reported net sales from continuing operations of $790.0m for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, a 9.1% increase from $724.0m in the fourth quarter 2013. Organic sales growth was 6.0%. The acquisition of LHi Technology (“LHi”) reported in the Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) segment contributed 3.6% to sales in the fourth quarter. The negative impact on net sales from fluctuations in foreign exchange was 0.5%. Income from continuing operations in the fourth quarter 2014 declined 12% to $53.2m, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared with $60.2m, or $0.92 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter 2013, reflecting higher costs at Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM), lower net sales and EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) at Carlisle Brake & Friction (CBF) and a higher effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2014 versus the prior year. For the full year 2014, Carlisle reported record net sales from continuing operations of $3.20bn, an 8.9% increase from $2.94bn for the prior year. Higher net sales in 2014 reflected organic sales growth of 7.9% and acquired growth of 0.9%. For the full year 2014, Carlisle reported record income from continuing operations of $251.7m, or $3.83 per diluted share, a 7.0% increase over income of $235.2m, or $3.61 per diluted share, in 2013. Results for 2013 include a tax benefit of $11.8m, or $0.18 per diluted share, from the release of a deferred tax liability from an election in a foreign jurisdiction. All financial and percentage comparisons in our fourth quarter reporting are made to the same quarter of the previous year, unless otherwise stated. Comment
David A. Roberts, Chairman and CEO, said, “As we previously announced, our results for the fourth quar