Wickes Cos.’ earnings jumped 115% to $180.5...

Wickes Cos.’ earnings jumped 115% to $180.5 million for 1987, compared to the previous year. Sales totaled $3.5 billion, up 66% from a year earlier. For the fourth quarter, the firm reported a profit of $8.3 million, contrasted with a loss of $2.5 million for the year-ago period. Sales totaled $832.5 million, up 10%. The Santa Monica diversified building, apparel and manufacturing concern noted that the company has been restructured into primary business areas: automotive and industrial products, wall coverings and decorative fabrics and home improvement and home furnishings. The firm also reported progress on previously announced intended divestitures of Wickes Lumber, Kayser-Roth Apparel and Kayser-Roth Hosiery.