St. Jude Medical Reports Q4 EPS of $.62 vs. $.74

St. Jude Medical, Inc. STJ today reported sales and net earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended Jan. 1, 2011. The Company reported net sales of $1.350 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 12 percent over the $1.203 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009 including a $25 million contribution in the quarter from recently acquired AGA Medical. Foreign currency translation comparisons decreased fourth quarter sales by approximately $14 million. On a currency neutral basis, net sales grew 13 percent over the fourth quarter of 2009. Net sales in 2010 were $5.165 billion compared to $4.681 billion in 2009, an increase of 10 percent. Foreign currency translation comparisons increased full-year 2010 sales by about $23 million. On a currency neutral basis, net sales grew 10 percent over the prior year. Reported net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $206 million, or $0.62 per share. This compares to reported net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $190 million, or $0.57 per share. For the full-year 2010, reported net earnings were $907 million, or $2.75 per share.