Ball bucks trend to report a rise in Q4 profit

The company achieved sales of $1.7bn in the quarter, compared with $1.8bn in the same period of 2007.

Ball said that its European metal beverage packaging business achieved fourth-quarter earnings of $29m on sales of $380.8m.

The European subsidiary reported full-year earnings of $230.9m on sales of $1.9bn, compared with $228.9m on sales of $1.7bn in 2007.

The company said the weakening euro against the dollar and the weakening pound against the euro reduced the European operations fourth-quarter results.

Raymond Seabrook, chief financial officer, said: “We remain positive about long-term growth opportunities in our global beverage can business, and we have responded prudently to the broader economic downturn by slowing projects.”

Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide.

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