Dana cuts profit forecast for quarter, full year

3/24/2005

Toledo's Dana Corp. chopped its profit forecast for the first quarter and full year yesterday after getting hit with higher-than-expected material costs; a component shortage that curbed heavy-duty axle shipments; and lower North American vehicle production.

Dana now expects earnings of 11 to 13 cents a share in the first quarter, not 17 to 23 cents previously announced, and $1.30 to $1.45 a share for the year, not $1.40 to $1.62. The auto supplier's stock took a dive on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday, closing at $13.01 a share, down 53 cents to a 52-week low.

A consensus of analysts polled by Thomson Financial Network predicted Dana would have earnings of 19 cents a share for the quarter and $1.36 for the year.