Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plains, N.J., said its...

Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plains, N.J., said its profits rose 4% in the fourth quarter from a year earlier as strong gains in domestic sales of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals helped offset the chilling effects of the strong dollar on overseas operations. The pharmaceutical company’s products include Listerine antiseptic and Efferdent denture cleaner.

Borg-Warner Corp. announced record earnings for the second year in a row, up 12.9% over 1983, although earnings for the fourth quarter were flat when compared to an unusually strong fourth quarter in 1983. The company attributed the improvement to record performances by its chemicals and plastics and automotive groups.

Stamford, Conn.-based GTE Corp. reported that profits for the year rose 18% despite a 9.7% decline in its fourth-quarter profits. GTE said that the year’s profit gains reflected a switch to the flow-through method of accounting from the deferral system. The lower fourth-quarter earnings were attributed to higher telephone access charges, lower communications product sales, higher costs and a one-time charge of $35 million. The cost was primarily due to restructuring Latin American operations, GTE said.

Reversing a four-year decline, Avon Products reported that 1984 earnings were 5% higher than in 1983. The New York-based company said the earnings turnaround was led by its international beauty products business and the Foster Medical division’s home health-care business. It also reflected major corporate-wide programs that reduced expenses and improved gross margins.