Shares in Superior Industries International Inc. lost nearly 4 percent Tuesday after the company reported a fourth quarter that far exceeded analysts’ expectations.

Superior reported a loss of $4.8 million (-18 cents per share), compared with a loss of $19.9 million (-75 cents) for the fourth quarter last year, which included a $22 million charge due to closing operations. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a loss of 4 cents per share.

Sales at the Van Nuys-based company, which makes aluminum wheels primarily for Ford Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp., rose 3 percent to $212 million.

In 2006, Superior closed plants in Arkansas and Tennessee and recently completed construction on a $3.3 million plant in Mexico, all moves the company hopes will help swing the firm into the black.

For the entire year, Superior’s loss jumped 60 percent to $9.3 million loss (-35 cents) while sales fell 2 percent to $790 million.

Shares in Superior fell 79 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $21.47 in afternoon trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange.