Halliburton’s Loss Widens on Asbestos

Halliburton Co. said its fourth-quarter loss widened as the company set aside $1.1 billion to settle asbestos claims. Sales jumped 63% on contracts for work in war-torn Iraq.

The net loss widened to $947 million, or $2.17 a share, from $616 million, or $1.42, a year earlier, the Houston firm said. Sales rose to $5.46 billion.

Shares of Halliburton rose 82 cents to $30.23 on the New York Stock Exchange.