WALLINGFORD, CT -- Amphenol Corp. reported fourth quarter sales fell 3% year-over-year to $755.3 million on lower demand for automotive and communications products.

For the period ended Dec. 31, net profits fell 1% to 98.7 million with an operating income margin of 18.9%. Sales were down about 9% sequentially for the company, which makes circuit boards and connectors.

Strength was seen in global wireless communications and military and aerospace, and declines in automotive, industrial , and IT and datacom equipment. The firm reduced headcount 17% during the quarter.

For the year, the company reported sales of $3.2 billion, up from $2.9 billion in 2007. Net profits rose 19% to $419.2 million. Currency translation had a 1% impact on sales for the year.

Amphenol guided for first-quarter revenues of $650 million to $665 million.