Shares of Tyson Foods Inc. were heading toward their biggest gain in nearly three years on Tuesday, after the consumer meats company reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that rose well above expectations,

Tyson Foods shares surged Tuesday after the meat processor beat earnings estimates as higher prices helped boost beef and chicken sales.

Tyson Foods beat Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter results on Tuesday, as lower costs and strong demand for its pork and beef products helped offset slowdown in the chicken segment, sending its shares up 6% before the bell.

Tyson Foods beat analyst estimates in its fiscal fourth-quarter with net income of $357 million, reversing a loss of $450 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share was

Earnings per share came to $1, up from a loss of $1.31 a year ago. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, were 92 cents per share.

Tyson Foods forecast full-year revenue below Wall Street expectations on Tuesday, pressured by slowing chicken demand and lower pork prices. The company is losing market share to cheaper private-label products as more and more consumers shy away from its meat-based products,

Led by increased volumes and higher prices in its beef division, Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) earned a profit of $0.92 per share in the fiscal fourth quarter, nearly 2.5x more than the same quarter last year,