Westlake gets lift from prices

The maker of basic chemicals, polymers and plastics said Q4 sales jumped 19% to $951.6 mil, topping Wall Street's $924.2 mil target amid generally higher sales volumes for most products. Westlake Chemical's (WLK) EPS climbed 79% to $2.54, easily beating forecasts for $2.23 on higher prices for polyethylene, styrene and PVC resin products, and lower materials costs, partly offset by higher costs for propane vs. the same quarter a year ago. Shares rose 1.8% to 131.49.