Ceradyne Inc.: The Costa Mesa technical ceramics...

Ceradyne Inc.: The Costa Mesa technical ceramics manufacturer reported net income of $4 million, or 52 cents a share, for 1996, a 90% gain from the $2.1 million, or 32 cents a share, posted a year ago.

Sales increased 21% to $28.2 million from $23.4 million. For the fourth quarter, net income rose 72% from the year-earlier period, to $1.2 million, or 16 cents a share, from $721,000, or 10 cents a share. The 1996 fourth quarter included a gain of $360,000 from an insurance settlement. Sales were up 25% to $7.5 million from $6 million.