Ceradyne Expects to Top Estimates

Ceradyne Inc., a maker of ceramics for the high-tech industry, said Thursday that it expects to report earnings of 12 to 14 cents a share on sales of about $11 million for the first quarter, well above industry estimates.

The Costa Mesa company said in a press release Thursday that analysts had estimated first-quarter earnings at 8 cents a share and revenue at $9.2 million.

Ceradyne attributed the better results to increased shipments of lightweight ceramic armor and orthodontic brackets and better-than-expected performance from its Semicon Associates unit.

In last year’s first quarter, the company earned $48,000, or 1 cent a share, on revenue of $6.3 million. The company expects to report its financial results by April 24.

Trading in its shares was halted briefly. The stock gained 28 cents a share to close at $8.25 in Nasdaq trading.