The world’s largest drugmaker reported that fourth-quarter profits rose sharply, thanks to a gan from the sale of its consumer health unit. Net income was $9.45 billion, or $1.32, a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $2.73 billion, or 37 cents.

Subtract the gain from the $16.6 billion sale of the consumer business to Johnson & Johnson and earnings were 43 cents. Analysts polled by Thomsom Financial expected 42 cents on sales of $12.62 billion. Revenue, meanwhile, was nearly flat at $12.6 billion compared with $12.55 billion a year ago.

Once again, a Pfizer press release starts off with a quote from ceo Jeff Kindler, but then quickly adds a quote from David Shedlarz, the vice chairman, indicating the duo are continuing to forge their united front, internally and externally, in the wake of last year’s messy horse race to succeed Hank McKinnell, the beleaguered ceo who retired unexpectedly early last summer.

The really big news, however, will come at 1 pm, when Pfizer meets with Wall Street analysts to talk about reworking its business. Expect big numbers - billions of dollars projected in savings and thousands more job cuts from around the world.

[tags]David Shedlarz, Jeff Kindler, Pfizer[/tags]