CommScope reported a small dip in fourth-quarter results, citing volatile customer orders and pressure on raw material prices. Revenues dropped to USD 1.12 billion from USD 1.18 billion a year earlier, and net profit was unchanged at USD 54 million. The company said it aims to return to growth in sales and profit in 2018.

Sales growth in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Central America and Latin America (CALA) regions was more than offset by declines in other regions, the company said. The international growth helped sales in Connectivity Solutions increase 2 percent year over year to USD 694 million. Revenues from Mobility Solutions declined 14 percent to USD 427 million, as growth in the EMEA region was offset by falls elsewhere, especially North America.

The company said the results met expectations, and while 2017 was challenging "across the industry", the company made progress in strengthening its business for the long term. CEO Eddie Edwards said the company substantially completed a complex systems integration, delivered on significant product development, extended a long-term optical fibre supply partnership and achieved its capital allocation priorities of strategically reinvesting in the business while repaying debt and returning capital to shareholders.

Looking ahead, CommScope said it expects "more normalized" customer order patterns and targets a return to growth in 2018. Over the full year 2017, sales declined 7 percent to USD 4.56 billion driven by overall softness in the market, exacerbated by M&A-related pauses in customer spending. Annual operating profit decreased 17 percent to USD 478 million. 

For 2018, CommScope targets revenue of USD 4.675-4.825 billion, operating profit of UD 615-660 million and EPS of USD 1.46-1.58, while operating cash flow should exceed USD 600 million. For Q1, the company forecast revenue of USD 1.085-1.135 billion, operating profit of USD 93-108 million and EPS of USD 0.13-0.16.