BROOMFIELD - Ball Corp. reported higher revenue and profit for fourth quarter 2009.

The Broomfield-based packaging and aerospace company reported revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter ending Dec. 31, up 7.5 percent from $1.73 billion during the same period a year ago.

Fourth-quarter profits at Ball (NSYE: BLL) rose to $81.4 million, or 85 cents per diluted share, compared to $33.8 million, or 36 cents per diluted share a year ago.

Full-year 2009 revenue came in at $7.35 billion, down 2.7 percent from $7.56 billion in 2008.  But yearly profit rose to $387.9 million, or $4.08 per diluted share in 2009, compared to $319.5 million, or $3.29 per diluted share in 2008.

"Volume momentum improved sequentially in the fourth quarter in our metal beverage and metal food and household products businesses due largely to increased customer promotional activity, and the four U.S. metal beverage packaging plants acquired in October were accretive to earnings in the quarter," Ball Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Hoover said in a press release.

Some business consolidation and cost-cutting measures also improved the yearly profit, despite lower revenue in 2009.

"Prior cost-cutting actions from the rationalization program that began in 2008, a disciplined approach to managing our price/cost mix and excellent plant operating performance contributed to improved 2009 results," Ball President and Chief Operating Officer John A. Hayes said in a press release.

Ball's aerospace and technologies division, which is headquartered in Boulder, reported revenue of $689.2 million with a profit of $ 61.4 million in 2009, down slightly from revenue of $746.5 million with a profit of $76.2 million in 2008.

"Pressure on the U.S. federal budget has continued to slow the contract award cycle on traditional space hardware programs, however, the number of outstanding Ball Aerospace proposals increased in the second half of the year," company officials said in the release. "Increased demand for antenna and video technologies and for information services to support defense intelligence organizations contributed to second half results."

Looking ahead to 2010, Ball officials projected 2010 profit to beat 2009.