ComScore's 4Q profit rises but sales miss view

RESTON, Va. - Internet data analysis provider comScore Inc. said Wednesday its fourth-quarter profit were boosted by a tax benefit and higher revenue, but sales growth missed both Wall Street's and the company's expectations.

Net income rose 60 percent to $20.4 million, or 67 cents per share, from $12.7 million, or 42 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier. Adjusted earnings, excluding a tax benefit and an impairment charge, were 5 cents per share in the latest quarter.

Revenue rose 25 percent to $31.6 million from $25.3 million.

Analysts, on average, were expecting a profit of 4 cents per share on slightly higher sales of $32.5 million, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

The company said earnings per share results were at the high end of its guidance range, while revenue was "slightly below" the low end. Slower international growth and the effects of the stronger dollar on sales overseas hurt the quarter's revenue.

For the full year, comScore earned $25.2 million, or 83 cents per share, up from net income after paying preferred dividends of $17.5 million, or 88 cents per share. Revenue jumped to $117.4 million from $87.2 million.

Shares fell 87 cents, or 6.8 percent, to $11.95 in after-hours trading. The stock had closed earlier up 36 cents, or 2.9 percent, at $12.82.

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