Feb 15, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) reported results for the 4Q and year ended December 2009. Total sales for the 4Q of $275 million were up 10% versus a year ago, while U.S. housing starts dropped 24% from 4Q 2008 levels, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. For the year, sales were down 23% to $1.1 billion compared to $1.4 billion in 2008 with U.S. housing starts down 39% from 2008 levels. Losses from continuing operations were $47 million for the 4Q 2009. For the year, loss from continuing operations was $117 million. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the 4Q was a loss of $19 million compared to a loss of $37 million in the 4Q 2008. For the year, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was a loss of $44 million compared to $155 million in 2008. Cash and investments at year-end were $440 million, up from the 2008 year-end balance of $215 million. "While I am glad 2009 is behind us, LP made significant improvements compared to the prior year," said CEO Rick Frost. "All of our operating segments improved in 2009 despite housing starts falling by 39%. We achieved almost 60% improvement in OSB; 20% better results in EWP; and a tenfold increase in operating results in Siding. We also significantly improved our balance sheet with a net cash position of more than $160 million compared to a net debt of almost $35 million at the end of 2008." For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, LP reported net sales of $275 million, up from $250 million in the 4Q 2008. For the 4Q, the company reported a net loss of $49 million as compared to a loss in the 4Q 2008 of $341 million (including $274 million impairment of goodwill). For the 4Q 2009, LP reported a loss from continuing operations of $47 million as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $340 million for the 4Q 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, LP reported net sales of $1.1 billion, down from $1.4 billion in 2008. For the year ended 2009, the company reported a net loss of $121 million as compared to a loss in 2008 of $579 million. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the year was a loss of $44 million compared to a loss of $155 million for 2008. For 2009, LP reported a loss from continuing operations of $117 million as compared to a loss of $565 million for 2008. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is a leading manufacturer of quality engineered wood building materials including OSB, structural framing products.