Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had expected earnings of US$0.48 per share.
Pickering called the results "slightly disappointing," noting a sale or spinoff of KBR would turn Halliburton into "a pure oilfield service company, which in the minds of investors is probably more valuable."
Halliburton's revenues for the quarter reached US$5.2 billion, down 5 percent from US$5.46 billion a year ago because of KBR's reduced government contract work primarily in the Middle East.
For the year, Halliburton reported a net loss of US$977 million, or US$2.21 per share, compared with a net loss of US$820 million, or US$1.88 per share, for 2003. Revenues for last year were US$20.46 billion, compared with US$16.27 billion in 2003.
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