Martin Marietta of Bethesda, Md., posted lower...

Martin Marietta of Bethesda, Md., posted lower net earnings for the 1986 year, despite record high sales. “Operating earnings rose nearly 13% for the year and 20% in the fourth quarter, reflecting good sales and earnings gains in aerospace and materials,” a spokesman said. “With additional expenditures for business development having peaked, we expect further earnings growth in 1987.” New accounting standards, which required an adjustment in the method of calculating pension expense, had the effect of adding 16 cents per share, or 4 cents in each quarter, to 1986 earnings.