Ceradyne Narrows 4Q Profit Despite Surge in Orders

Hurt by acquisition-related and restructuring charges, Ceradyne (NASDAQ:CRDN) reported on Thursday a weaker fourth-quarter profit, though losses were partially offset by a 96% jump in new orders.

The Costa Mesa, Calif.-based company posted net income of $13.2 million, or 53 cents a share, compared with $14.1 million, or 55 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.

Revenue for the maker of technical ceramic products for defense, industrial automotive and commercial applications was $100.7 million, compared with $97.6 million a year ago, missing the Street’s view of $102.34 million.

“We are very pleased with our fourth quarter and full year 2010 financial performance,” Ceradyne CEO Joel P. Moskowitz. “2010 was a year of transition for Ceradyne, with reduced reliance on defense related sales, offset by strong sales of our high purity fused silica ceramic crucibles used for the manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells, and a dramatic turnaround in our ESK Ceramics, Kempten, Germany operation.”

New orders surged in the third-quarter to $151.3 million, compared with $76.7 million a year ago, leading the company to reiterate its fiscal 2011 guidance of $1.50 to $1.90 a share on revenue between $470 million and $540 million.