Sappi Ltd. recently reported increased earnings per share, but operating profit slipped slightly for the most recent quarter.
The South African company, which owns the Sappi Fine Paper mill in Cloquet, reported basic earnings per share for October through December of 18 cents, compared with 13 cents a year ago. Operating profit for the same period was $91 million versus $92 million in the equivalent quarter of 2006. Both quarters included special items.
Sales grew to $1.38 billion during the final three months of 2007 from $1.27 billion a year earlier.