Dean Witter, Discover & Co. reported fractionally...

Dean Witter, Discover & Co. reported fractionally higher fourth-quarter earnings as weakness in world financial markets offset gains from its credit card business and improved efficiency. For the three months ended Dec. 31, the firm earned $140 million, or 82 cents a share, up from $138.5 million, or 81 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier. Revenues rose 18% to $1.79 billion from $1.52 billion.

For the year, Dean Witter earned a record $740.9 million, or $4.35 a share, on revenue of $6.6 billion, compared to earnings of $603.6 million, or $3.54 a share, on revenue of $5.82 billion in 1993.