Koppers Holdings Inc., a manufacturer of carbon compounds and wood treating products, posted a huge increase in its fourth-quarter profit due to the sale of an ownership interest in a coke facility.

The decision by Masco Corp. managers to recommend a dividend cut led an analyst Thursday to lower his earnings estimate on the maker of residential cabinets and plumbing fixtures.

Shares of Masco Corp. fell Thursday after the maker of household cabinets and plumbing fixtures reported a worse-than-expected fourth quarter, issued a grim outlook and reversed a half-century precedent of yearly dividend increases.

Masco Corp. said Wednesday its loss widened in the fourth quarter, as the building-products maker booked restructuring charges and saw revenue tumble by 25 percent amid declining domestic and international sales.

Masco Corporation today reported that net sales from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 declined 17 percent to .6 billion compared with .5 billion for 2007.

POULSBO, Wash.—-Pope Resources reported a net loss of .4 million, or 31 cents per diluted ownership unit, on revenues of .2 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008.