CLEVELAND -- Chemicals maker OM Group today reported fourth-quarter net sales of $245 million, down from $270.5 million last year. 

The loss from continuing operations was $189 million, down from net income of $17.2 million in 2013.

Excluding sales in the divested Advanced Materials business and currency translation effects, overall net sales decreased 3% primarily due to weaker business conditions in Europe and increased competition in the company's magnetic technologies business.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, sales in specialty chemicals, which includes the firm's printed circuit board chemistries, were essentially unchanged compared to a year ago.