ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

American Vanguard Corp.: The Newport Beach specialty and agricultural products company posted fourth quarter net income of $2.1 million, or 84 cents a share, 24% higher than the $1.7 million, or 69 cents a share, for the year-earlier period. The 1998 figure included $1.1 million related to a legal settlement in favor of the company. Sales were up 10% to $27 million from $24.6 million.

Net income for the year totaled $2.1 million, or 85 cents a share, a gain of 5% from $2 million, or 81 cents a share, a year ago. Sales declined 1% to $67 million from $67.7 million.