Despite the slight drop in net income...

Despite the slight drop in net income recorded during the first half of the year, improved market share and strong sales volume at Ropak Corp. could result in net earnings of $2 million for 1986, company Chairman William Roper said in a statement.

If that projection materializes, it will represent a 17% gain over the $1.3 million in net earnings that the Fullerton maker of plastic containers posted during 1985. In a report of a meeting with analysts in New York, Roper said that 1986 sales are targeted at $45 million, an increase, if realized, of 40% from $32.2 million during 1985.

As previously reported, net earnings during Ropak’s second quarter rose 17% to 661,000 from $547,000 a year earlier. However, net earnings during the first half of 1986 fell 1.4% to $847,000 from $859,000 a year earlier.

Roper said delays in the delivery of tooling and costs associated with recent acquisitions, including a currency exchange loss and a prepayment penalty on borrowings, are not expected to affect the current half.