EARNINGS

Avery Dennison’s Business Is Steadily Improving: Profit increased in the final quarter and fiscal year ended Jan. 1, said the Pasadena-based maker of pressure-sensitive labels, tags and other office products. For the year, net income was $84.4 million, up 5% from $80.1 million in 1992; per-share earnings rose 10% to $1.46 cents a share, from $1.33 last year. Full-year sales declined slightly to $2.61 billion from $2.62 billion in 1992. For the fourth quarter, per-share earnings rose 6% to 34 cents, from 32 cents in the year-ago period; net income was $19.3 million, compared to $18.9 million in 1992. Sales in the quarter were $641.9 million, up from $629.7 million.