American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. looks like a sure bet to continue its impressive string of gains when it reports its fourth-quarter financial results next month; the company announced last week that its annuity sales for 2005 were a record $2.9 billion, an increase of 45 percent over 2004 sales of $2.0 billion.

Analysts who follow the West Des Moines-based annuity provider predict that it will report $164 million in fourth-quarter revenue, an increase of 38 percent from $119 million a year ago.

Analysts project revenues for the year of $587 million. American Equity posted revenues of $280 million in 2002, $452 million in 2003 and $496 million in 2004.

The company plans to announce its results for the fourth quarter and the entire year on Feb. 22.

Several other publicly traded companies based in Central Iowa also will announce earnings in the near future:

AmerUs Group Co. might be talking about a sharp decline in revenues when it announces its fourth-quarter results after U.S. markets close Feb. 1. According to Thomson Analytics, one analyst predicts that the life insurance and annuity company will report revenues of $420 million compared with $468 million in the year-ago period. However, earnings per share are forecast to be $1.19 compared with $1.06 a year ago.

EMC Insurance Group Inc. plans to report its fourth-quarter results Feb. 20. In the last quarter of 2004, the property and casualty insurer lost 2 cents per share; analysts expect the company to report earnings of 46 cents per share for the last quarter of 2005.

FBL Financial Group Inc. will announce its fourth-quarter earnings after markets close on Feb. 6. Analysts forecast earnings per share of 53 cents, down sharply from 72 cents in the year-ago period. For 2005 as a whole, FBL is expected to post earnings per share of $2.32, up from $2.26 in 2004.

The company has issued guidance for 2006 calling for net income and operating income between $2.40 and $2.50 per common share.

Maytag Corp., which dealt with acquisition issues throughout 2005, could report a 5 percent increase in quarterly earnings within the next few weeks. Analysts expect the Newton-based appliance maker to report revenues of $1.22 billion for the fourth quarter and $4.82 billion for the year. In 2004, the company had earnings of $1.16 billion in the fourth quarter and $4.72 billion for the year.

However, earnings per share are being pegged at a loss of 13 cents for the fourth quarter compared with a profit of 8 cents a year ago, and a gain of 7 cents for the year compared with 88 cents in 2004. The analysts expect no revenue growth in 2006.

Meredith Corp. last week reported earnings of 58 cents per share for its second quarter, which ended Dec. 31, compared with 54 cents per share in the year-ago period. The publishing and broadcasting company took in $386 million in second-quarter revenues; excluding the five magazines it acquired last summer, revenues were $305 million, a 4 percent increase.

Principal Financial Group Inc. is expected to report flat revenue figures after U.S. markets close on Feb. 6. According to Thomson Analytics, three analysts forecast fourth-quarter revenues of $2.25 billion, compared with $2.24 billion a year ago. Earnings per share are expected to rise 9 percent to 72 cents, compared with 66 cents a year ago.

The financial services company has announced that it expects 2006 net income to range from $2.94 to $3.09 per diluted share and operating earnings to range from $3.10 to $3.25 per diluted share.

Sauer-Danfoss Inc., a German-controlled company with corporate headquarters in Ames, is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings on March 2. Analysts forecast that it will report $372 million in revenues, a 10 percent increase from the year-ago figure of $339 million. However, the company is predicted to lose 3 cents per share, compared with a loss of 13 cents a year ago.

The maker of hydraulic systems and components is expected to report full-year revenues of $1.57 billion, compared with $1.4 billion a year ago.

West Bancorporation Inc., the parent company of West Bank in West Des Moines, earlier reported net income of $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, or 32 cents per share, compared with $5 million, or 30 cents per share, a year ago. For the year, West Bancorporation reported net income of $20.1 million, up 7.8 percent from $18.6 million in 2004. Earnings per share were $1.20 compared with $1.11 in 2004. One analyst predicts per-share earnings of $1.28 in 2006.