Tyson 4th-quarter profit rises despite dip in sales

Nov 19 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc reported higher quarterly earnings on Monday despite slightly lower sales resulting from production cuts.

Tyson, the nation's largest meat company, said profit rose to $185 million, or 51 cents per share, for the f ourth quarter ended Sept. 29, from $97 million, or 26 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding items, earnings were 55 cents per share.

Sales fell to $8.37 billion from $8.40 billion a year earlier.