Fortune Brands’ golf segment lowered its operating loss to $4.8 million for the 4th quarter of 2006 from a loss of $6.4 million for the same period in 2005. Sales revenues in the golf segment, which includes Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy, increased by 8 percent to $217.6 million. For the full year of 2006, golf’s operating income fell by 3 percent to $166.0 million despite a 4 percent increase in revenues to $1,313.4 million. For the whole group, a 43 percent rise in net income was reported for the quarter to $251.8 million on a 16 percent increase in revenues to $2,276.6 million. Sales in golf and spirits are expected to grow in 2007, offsetting lower results forecast for home and hardware products.