Feb 5 (Reuters) - Sweden's Assa Abloy, the

world's biggest lockmaker, reported a 14% rise in its fourth

quarter operating profit on Wednesday, citing a strong operating

leverage driven by continued price/cost tailwind and strong

operational execution.

The company, whose products range from security doors to

electronic and mechanical locks under brands such as Yale, said

its operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability,

grew to 6.53 billion Swedish crowns ($595.4 million) from 5.72

billion crowns a year earlier.

Assa also said it planned to pay a dividend of 5.90 crowns

per share for 2024, up from the 5.40 crowns it paid out last

year.

($1 = 10.9683 Swedish crowns)