MILTON, Ga. -- Exide Technologies has announced its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and full year financial results for the period ended March 31, 2011.

The company reported net sales of $774.5 million for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter, compared to $714.7 million in the prior year quarter on approximately 5 percent  higher unit volumes; fiscal year 2011 net sales increased to $2.9 billion from $2.7 billion in fiscal 2010.

Net loss for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter was $13.7 million or (18 cents) per share as compared to the prior year period net income of $40.4 million or 50 cents per diluted share; fiscal year 2011 net income was $26.4 million or 33 cents per diluted share versus the prior fiscal year net loss of $11.8 million or (16 cents) per share.

Adjusted net income for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter was $12.9 million or 15 cents per share as compared to adjusted net income of $37.5 million or 49 cents per share in the fiscal 2010 comparative period. Fiscal year 2011 adjusted net income was $57.9 million or 72 cents per share versus $48.5 million or 64 cents per share for fiscal 2010.

Jim Bolch, president and CEO, said, "Fiscal fourth quarter net sales increased more than 8 percent over the prior year fourth quarter due to selective market share gains and improving volume related trends in virtually all of our segments. For the most part, we held pricing steady in the face of rising commodity and fuel costs with the intent of securing new volume."

Looking ahead, Bolch said, "We are pleased with the progress made during fiscal 2011. We have successfully realigned our businesses on a regional basis and made some key management changes, further strengthening an already solid executive team.

"The cost increases experienced during the last several months of fiscal 2011 coupled with delayed pricing action will likely cause first quarter profits to be slightly down from the comparable fiscal 2011 period. We remain confident, however, in our ability to continue to improve the operating performance of the company and expect full year fiscal 2012 operating income to be in the range of $160 million to $170 million, up from $95.8 million in fiscal 2011."