On 16 January, PPG Industries Inc. of the United States reported lower profits on record sales for the fourth quarter of 1996, citing lower North American auto production, weakening chemical prices an…
On 16 January, PPG Industries Inc. of the United States reported lower profits on record sales for the fourth quarter of 1996, citing lower North American auto production, weakening chemical prices and increased natural gas prices as the cause. Pointing out that fourth quarter earnings per share equalled the 1995 record US$ 0.83 on fewer shares outstanding, it said full-year sales and earnings were also records, excluding the effect of a 1995 gain from settlement of a glass technology dispute. “All three business segments had record fourth-quarter sales, their second consecutive quarterly high,” PPG said. “Our North American businesses did well in the final quarter of the year, with manufacturing efficiencies contributing to overall earnings performance.” “We remain cautiously optimistic that the decline in Europe“s economies may have bottomed late last year,” the company statement concluded.