Astro-Med Inc., based in West Warwick, yesterday reported record net sales in the fourth quarter and raised the company’s dividend from 5 cents per share to 6 cents per share, payable on April 1 to shareholders as of March 21.

Fourth-quarter sales were $18.1 million, compared with $17.6 million in the year-ago period. The company reported net income of $1.3 million, or 19 cents per share, compared with $799,000, or 12 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

Astro-Med said favorable foreign currency exchange rates added approximately $435,000 to fourth-quarter sales. Net income in the fourth quarter included a restructuring charge of approximately $316,000 after tax. Fourth-quarter net income also included a tax benefit of $739,000 related to the closing of sales and service offices in Italy and the Netherlands.

Albert W. Ondis, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “I am particularly gratified to announce that Astro-Med’s financial results were quite strong for the entire fiscal year, a period which saw a mild economic downturn in many sectors of the economy.”

Everett V. Pizzuti, president and chief operating officer, said, “Customer demand was healthy, with new orders reaching $74,393,000, an increase of 11.4 percent over the previous year.”

Shares of Astro-Med (ALOT:Nasdaq) closed yesterday at $9.01 each, down 44 cents a share.