Eastern Reports 4Q Profit, Comp a Bright Spot

Eastern Holdings Inc. on Thursday reported fourth-quarter net income of $2.8 million, compared to a net loss of $11.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.For the full year, Eastern reported net income of $7.7 million, compared to a $9.2 million loss in 2010.Eastern said net income from its workers' compensation segment was $3.2 million in the fourth quarter, up from $41.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Direct written workers' comp premiums increased to $34.4 million during the fourth quarter, compared to $26.8 million in the prior-year quarter."I was particularly plea...