FRANKFURT, Feb 16 (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler posted fourth-quarter operating earnings on Thursday that beat expectations, boosted by a surprise profit at its premium division Mercedes Car Group.
Operating profit at the world's fifth-biggest carmaker rose to 1.048 billion euros ($1.25 billion) in the final three months of 2005, beating a Reuters poll average estimate of 972 million euros.
It said it expected an improvement in profitability in 2006.