The company's shares rose more than seven per cent in trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Earnings dropped to US$128.9 million, or 30 cents a share, in the last three months of 2007 compared with $184.1 million, or 41 cents a share, a year earlier. The company said restructuring costs and charges related to simplifying its product line lowered earnings per share by 34 cents in the latest period.
Avon Products Inc., a direct seller of beauty products, said yesterday its fourth-quarter profit fell 30 per cent on restructuring costs and other charges.
