Littlefuse reports earnings

DES PLAINES - Littlefuse Inc. Monday reported an increase in fourth-quarter sales and earnings that beat estimates. Fourth quarter net income totaled $11.7 million, or 53 cents a diluted share, compared with a loss of $9.2 million, or 42 cents a share, in the same period last year. Sales totaled $127.9 million, a 21 percent increase from a year ago. For the year, Littlefuse reported net earnings of $9.4 million, or 43 cents a diluted share, compared with earnings of $8 million, or 37 cents a share last year. The Chicago-based maker of circuit protection systems has operations in Des Plaines.