EARNINGS ROUNDUP / BRISTOL-MYERS

Strong sales of blood thinner Plavix helped Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. post a sizable fourth-quarter profit.

The New York-based maker of Abilify, for treatment of bipolar disorder, and Avapro, for high blood pressure, reported net income of $1.24 billion, or 63 cents a share. A year ago, it reported a loss of $89 million, or 5 cents a share, due to large charges for restructuring and losses from investments in subprime securities. Revenue increased 4% to $5.25 billion.

Excluding several one-time items that amount to a gain of 17 cents, or about $340 million, fourth-quarter profit would have been 46 cents a share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 41 cents a share on revenue of $5.43 billion.

The company forecast 2009 profit of $1.85 to $2 a share.

Bristol-Myers shares rose 88 cents, or 4%, to $23.13.