WALLINGFORD, CT - Amphenol Corp. said that fourth-quarter earnings rose on strong performance in its core business, and the company declared its first-ever quarterly dividend.

The company said net income for the quarter was $45.6 million, up from $33 million a year ago.

Sales rose to $404 million from $342 million. Amphenol said sales at its interconnect products segment, which accounts for 87% of total sales, were up 20% from a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call were expecting the company to earn 49 cents in the latest quarter on sales of $393.6 million.

For the year, net income rose to $163.3 million from $104 million. Sales rose to $1.53 billion from $1.24 billion.