Feb 03, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. International Paper (IP) reported preliminary full-year 2010 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $644 million, compared with $663 million in full-year 2009. In the 4Q 2010, the company reported net earnings of $316 million, compared with a net loss of $101 million in the 4Q 2009. Amounts in all periods include special items, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Full-year 2010 earnings from continuing operations and before special items were $890 million, compared with $378 million in 2009. Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the 4Q 2010 totaled $296 million, compared with $101 million in the 4Q 2009. Quarterly net sales were $6.5 billion compared with $6 billion in the 4Q 2009. Annual sales totaled $25.2 billion compared with $23.4 billion in 2009. Operating profits in the 4Q were $561 million compared with a loss of $147 million in 2009, both of which included special items. Full-year 2010 operating profits were $1.7 billion compared with $2.4 billion in 2009. The company repaid $350 million of debt during 2010 and contributed $1.2 billion toward its pension plan. At year end, the company had $2.1 billion in cash. "Our year-over-year 4Q operating business earnings were strong with solid revenue growth and margin expansion across IP business segments. We also continued to generate strong cash flow," said Chairman and CEO John Faraci. "International Paper performed well during 2010, a year of transition from recession to global economic growth. We expect to further build on our strong earnings and free cash flow momentum in 2011." Industrial Packaging segment had an operating profit of $274 million in 4Q 2010, compared to an operating profit of $332 million in the 3Q 2010. Quarterly earnings drivers included modestly higher box prices, offset by seasonally lower box demand, higher mill and fiber costs. Printing Papers segment had an operating profit of $236 million in 4Q 2010, compared to an operating profit of $278 million in the 3Q 2010. Included in the 3Q 2010 was $16 million from the recovery of bad debt. The segment was impacted by seasonally higher energy usage and seasonally lower uncoated freesheet and market pulp demand in North America, partly offset by seasonally higher demand in Brazil. Consumer Packaging segment had an operating profit of $64 million, compared to an operating profit of $71 million in the 3Q 2010. 4Q performance was lower than in the 3Q due to seasonally lower sales volumes and higher planned maintenance outages in Coated Paperboard partially offset by increased selling prices. xpedx, the company's distribution business, reported operating profits of $9 million for the 4Q 2010, compared to $22 million posted in the 3Q 2010. 4Q performance includes one-time costs of exiting certain retail store and printing equipment segments and year-end inventory valuation adjustments. Forest Products segment earnings were not meaningful since the company sold our remaining land portfolio in North America during the 3Q 2010. Beginning in 2011, Forest Products will no longer be reported as a separate industry segment. Net corporate expenses for the 4Q 2010 totaled $63 million, compared with $58 million in the 3Q 2010 and $40 million in the 4Q 2009. The increase from the 4Q 2009 reflects higher supply chain initiative and pension expenses in 2010. International Paper is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company's North American distribution company.