LOSSES IN CHICKEN: Operating income in the chicken division tumbled $223 million during the quarter. That’s far more than declines of $3 million and $12 million for beef and pork, respectively.
THE QUARTER: Tyson posted a net income of $97 million, or 26 cents per share for the final quarter of the year, compared with $213 million, or 57 cents per share, a year ago. The results fell short of the 31 cents per share that analysts had expected
THE OUTLOOK: CEO Donnie Smith said that steady profitability should return to Tyson’s chicken division sometime next year. He said the division should be healthiest toward the second half of the year.