WESTLAKE, OH -- Nordson reported fourth-quarter sales rose 15% sequentially, with all regions and segments reporting strong growth. 

 

For the quarter ended Oct. 31, the net loss was $209 million on sales of $237 million. Excluding impairment charges, adjusted earnings for the quarter were $29 million. Sales were down 30% year-over-year. The company generated $40 million in free cash in the quarter.

The Adhesives Dispensing Systems segment had an operating margin of 29%, the company said.

“Sales improved sequentially in every quarter this year, as did operating profit, operating margin and diluted earnings per share excluding the non-cash impairment charges,” said chairman Ed Campbell. “Excluding non-cash impairment charges, operating margin was 20%, exceeding the outstanding performance of the previous quarter and the prior year’s fourth quarter."  

Order rates for the period ended Dec. 13 rose 4%, adjusted for currency changes. The backlog at the end of the quarter was $79 million, down 9% from last year. 

For the 2009 fiscal year, sales were $819 million and the net loss was $160 million. 

Nordson guided for first-quarter fiscal 2010 sales to rise 13 to 17% over last year ago.