Stryker Corporation reported preliminary unaudited consolidated sales results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. Preliminary net sales for the fourth quarter were $2.6 billion, increased 6.1%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency and acquisitions, preliminary net sales increased 5.5% in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter results include one less selling day, which negatively impacted sales by approximately 1%.

For the full year, the company reported preliminary net sales of $9.7 billion, increased 7.3%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency and acquisitions, preliminary net sales increased 5.8% for the full year.

The company now projects preliminary 2014 adjusted diluted net earnings per share to be in the range of $4.72 to $4.74, an increase of 5.1% to 5.6% over adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $4.49 in 2013. The full year negative foreign exchange impact was approximately $0.15 per share, while the fourth quarter includes a negative impact of approximately $0.06 per share or $0.02 to $0.03 per share worse than previously disclosed during third quarter earnings call.

For the fourth quarter of 2014, the company expects diluted net earnings per share of $0.61 - $0.70. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share is expected to be $1.43 - $1.45.

Based on the current exchange rates, the company expects 2015 adjusted net earnings per diluted share to be negatively impacted by approximately $0.20 per share, which compares to prior estimate of $0.10 - $0.12 per share based on foreign exchange rates at the end of the third quarter.