By Jon Kamp Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) said Monday it expects to post first-quarter earnings in a range of $1.43 to $1.47 per share, which brackets Wall Street expectations. The per-share earnings view excludes any items that could affect comparisons, Chief Financial Officer Todd Schermerhorn said on a call with analysts. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast, on average, first-quarter earnings of $1.45 per share. Schermerhorn also said the medical-products maker expects sales will grow by 6% to 8% in the current quarter, excluding the impact of foreign currency rates. That is similar to the company's full-year forecast for 5% to 8% sales growth. Bard shares were recently unchanged after hours after rising 1.4% to $94.35 during regular trading hours Monday. Shares have risen 14% over the past 12 months. The Murray Hill, N.J., company reported late Monday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 29%, topping the company's own estimates. Sales rose 5.9% and were slightly lower than analysts had expected. Schermerhorn said full-year earnings, excluding items, of $5.60 per share serve as a base for the company's full-year projection of 14% growth. -By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728; jon.kamp@dowjones.com
