EARNINGS : Sara Lee Profits Rise 15.3%

Sara Lee Corp. said today its profit rose 15.3% in its fourth fiscal quarter, despite a decline in revenue and lower results from its packaged meats and bakery products businesses.

The packaged food and consumer products company said it earned $118.4 million, or 48 cents per share, in the three months ended June 30 compared with $102.7 million, or 43 cents a share, a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter slipped 3.3% to $2.95 billion from $3.06 billion a year earlier.

“Higher margins in our coffee and grocery operations combined with a continued strong profit . . . in our personal products businesses more than offset lower earnings in our packaged meats and bakery line of business,” Chairman John Bryan said in a news release.