Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), Danbury, CT, reported sales for the fourth quarter of $2.799 billion, up slightly from $2.796 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. Profit fell 1.4 percent to $414 million.
For the full year, sales were $11.224 billion, down slightly from $11.252 billion the prior year. Profit increased 1.2 percent to $1.7 billion.
In North America, fourth-quarter sales were $1.4 billion, up 2 percent from the prior-year quarter. Sales grew to manufacturing, energy and metals markets, partially offset by declines in electronics.
In Europe, fourth-quarter sales were $363 million, 5 percent below the prior-year quarter primarily due to the negative impact of currency translation.
In South America, fourth-quarter sales were $484 million, 9 percent below the prior-year quarter.
Sales in Asia were $374 million in the quarter, up 12 percent from the prior year, driven by strong volume growth in India, China and Korea, including new plant start-ups. Sales growth came primarily from metals and chemicals customers.