STRATHAM, N.H. (Dow Jones/AP) – The Timberland Co.’s fourth-quarter earnings surprised Wall Street by jumping nearly 46 percent, boosted by the weak dollar and a 20 percent rise in shoe sales.

Earnings topped Wall Street’s forecast of 95 cents a share, as polled by Thomson First Call, by 15 cents.

In a press release Tuesday, the Statham-based retailer of outdoor gear reported earnings of $39.5 million, compared with $27.1 million, or 73 cents a share, last year.

Revenue climbed 16 percent to $415.3 million from $357 million a year ago. Of that growth, about $12.9 million, or 3.6 percent, was a result of favorable foreign exchange rates, Timberland said.

U.S. revenue increased 11 percent to $291.2 million from $262 million a year ago. Sales at U.S. stores open more than a year rose 5.9 percent, and revenue from direct sales grew about 11.2 percent.

For all of 2003, sales rose 13 percent to $1.34 billion, and earnings rose 24 percent to $117 million.

Shares of Timberland were up $2.92, or 5.8 percent, at $53.55 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

AP-ES-02-03-04 1138EST