Rubber rise hurts Goodyear

Article Excerpt

GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. $14.48 (New York symbol GT; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (330-796-2122; www.goodyear.com; Shares outstanding: 242.9 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; No dividends paid) reported better-than-expected sales and earnings in the latest quarter. In the three months ended December 31, 2010, sales rose 14.3%, to $5.1 billion from $4.4 billion a year earlier. Before a one-time charge related to a plant closure, the company earned $0.07 a share. That was much better than the consensus earnings estimate of a loss of $0.07 a share. A year earlier, Goodyear earned $0.44 share. Goodyear’s long-term outlook is positive. However, rising prices for raw materials, especially rubber, will likely limit the company’s earnings growth in the near term. Goodyear Tire & Rubber is still a hold. hold…