OREANDA-NEWS. C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE:BCR) today reported 2015 fourth quarter financial results. Fourth quarter 2015 net sales were $870.8 million, compared to fourth quarter 2014 net sales of $867.2 million on an as-reported basis. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, fourth quarter 2015 net sales increased 3 percent over the prior-year period.

For the fourth quarter 2015, net sales in the U.S. were $605.8 million and net sales outside the U.S. were $265.0 million, an increase of 2 percent and a decrease of 4 percent, respectively, over the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, fourth quarter 2015 net sales outside the U.S. increased 5 percent over the prior-year period.

Net sales for the full year 2015 were $3,416.0 million, an increase of 3 percent over the prior-year period on an as-reported basis. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, full year 2015 net sales increased 6 percent over the prior-year period.

For the fourth quarter 2015, net income was $136.3 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.79. Adjusting for certain items that affect comparability between periods as detailed in the tables below, fourth quarter 2015 net income was $164.6 million and diluted earnings per share, after adjusting for certain items that affect comparability between periods and excluding amortization of intangibles, were $2.43, an increase of 4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, as compared to fourth quarter 2014 results.

For the full year 2015, net income was $135.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.77. Adjusting for certain items that affect comparability between periods, full year 2015 net income was $615.8 million and diluted earnings per share, after adjusting for certain items that affect comparability between periods and excluding amortization of intangibles, were $9.08, an increase of 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively, as compared to full year 2014 results.

Timothy M. Ring, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, “We said a year ago that 2015 was an important year of execution for our strategic investment plan, and we are happy to report that we exceeded expectations for both revenue and adjusted cash earnings per share for every quarter in 2015. We are pleased with the acceleration in our organic revenue growth and profitability; and we remain focused on investing in areas of faster growth with the objective of providing our shareholders with sustainable attractive returns.”

In conjunction with the fourth quarter results, the company is also providing 2016 financial guidance. For the full year 2016, net sales are forecasted to increase between 4.5 percent and 6.5 percent on an as-reported basis. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, full year 2016 net sales are forecasted to increase between 6 percent and 8 percent over 2015. Full year 2016 diluted earnings per share, after adjusting for certain items that affect comparability between periods and excluding amortization of intangibles, are projected to be between $9.90 and $10.05, representing reported growth between 9 percent and 11 percent compared to full year 2015 results.

C. R. Bard, Inc., headquartered in Murray Hill, NJ, is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative, life-enhancing medical technologies in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.