Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) reported its results for the fourth quarter. Net income for Philip Morris International Inc. rose to $1.89 billion ($1.08 per share) vs. $1.75 billion (96 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 7.6% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 6% to $18.88 billion from the year earlier quarter. Philip Morris International Inc. reported adjusted net income of $1.10 per share. By that measure, the company beat the mean estimate of $1.08 per share. It beat the average revenue estimate of $7.38 billion.

“While admittedly lifted by Japan, our 2011 results were simply superb in each and every aspect. Every single one of our top ten brands recorded volume growth, we surpassed all of our key financial performance measures and grew our global market share for the fourth year in a row. Our total shareholder return in 2011 was an impressive 39.8%, substantially outperforming the broader market indices,” said Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Economic uncertainty, currency volatility and the year-on-year comparison of our business performance in Japan are obvious challenges in 2012. We nevertheless begin the year with solid business momentum, confident in our ability to meet our constant currency financial growth targets, and as steadfast as ever in our commitment to reward our shareholders with superior returns over the long-term.”

Competitors to Watch: Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO), Reynolds American, Inc. (NYSE:RAI), Lorillard Inc. (NYSE:LO), Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE:VGR), British American Tobacco (AMEX:BTI), Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (ITYBY), Star Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIGX), Alliance One Intl., Inc. (NYSE:AOI), and Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV).

 Corn Products International Inc. (NYSE:CPO) reported its results for the fourth quarter. Net income for the processed and packaged goods company rose to $95.1 million ($1.22 per share) vs. $51.8 million (67 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 83.6% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 10% to $1.55 billion from the year earlier quarter. Corn Products International Inc. reported adjusted net income of $1.11 per share. By that measure, the company fell in line with the mean estimate of $1.11 per share. It fell short of the average revenue estimate of $1.63 billion.

“Corn Products delivered another very good quarter and closed out an outstanding year,” said Ilene Gordon, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Through challenging economic and weather conditions around the world, our businesses executed against plan, driving meaningful growth while investing for the future. At the same time, we continued the successful integration of the National Starch acquisition. “As we look forward to 2012, we believe that we are well positioned to deliver further top and bottom line growth while building on our strong geographic positions and expanding our product portfolio of starch and sweetener ingredients,” Gordon added.

Competitors to Watch: Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE:ADM), Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG), MGP Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGPI), Darling International Inc. (NYSE:DAR), SunOpta, Inc. (NASDAQ:STKL).

To contact the reporter on this story: Derek Hoffman at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

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