O.C. EARNINGS : Day Runner Sales Rise 28% in Quarter

Day Runner, the company that pioneered the appointment books that were a must for every yuppie in the 1980s, reported Wednesday that its estimated sales for the fourth quarter of 1992 climbed 28% to $22.6 million.

Sales for the same period last year were $17.6 million, the company said.

The actual results for the latest quarter and fiscal year will be disclosed in late February. Based on the estimates, Day Runner said, sales for the year will be $71 million, up 34% from $53 million for the previous 12 months. Based on those estimates, annual earnings per share are expected to fall within analysts’ estimates of 65 cents to 75 cents.

The company, based in Fullerton, said sales were boosted by unexpectedly strong demand for its products during December.

In Wednesday’s trading on the NASDAQ market, Day Runner’s stock closed at $10.25 a share, up $1.