Owens-Illinois Inc said its 1998 third quarter profits before extraordinary items increased 24% to US$114m, but cautioned that weakness in some overseas markets could limit fourth quarter earnings growth. After extraordinary items, the company reported profits of US$114m, or US$0.69 per share, compared with US$75m, or US$ 0.53 per share a year ago. It said third quarter sales rose 17% to US$1.45bn. "We had good operating performances from a number of our subinesses and made important progress in integrating our recent acquisitions in the third quarter," said Owens-Illinois chief executive Joseph Lemieux. He added solid performances in many markets in the fourth quarter were expected, but cautioned that continuing weakness in South America and softness in some markets in the UK and Central Europe could limit earnings growth.
