Stella-Jones Inc. provided earnings guidance for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, the company is currently anticipating sales in the range of $340.0 million to $342.0 million, compared with $357.5 million last year, while operating income is expected to be between $27.0 million and $29.0 million, versus $48.3 million a year ago. The year-over-year decrease in sales and profitability in the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily driven by lower railway tie demand at the end of the year, as anticipated in management's discussion and analysis for the third quarter of 2016. For the full year, consolidated sales are expected to show a year-over-year increase of nearly 18.0%, reaching close to $1.84 billion, while operating income should be between $232.0 million and $234.0 million, up from $220.1 million last year. Total sales and operating margins are expected to remain comparable to 2016, assuming stable currencies.