Cyberian beats 2Q estimates

Cyberian Outpost Inc. (Nasdaq: COOL) lost less money in the second quarter than analysts predicted.

In fiscal second quarter results released after market close Wednesday, the online retailer of computer-related products reported a net loss of $8.4 million, or 36 cents per share. First Call's survey of four analysts predicted a loss of 40 cents per share for the quarter ended Aug. 31.

Second quarter sales of $36.7 million represent a 115 percent gain from $17 million in the year ago period, when the company lost 50 cents per share, or 29 cents on a pro forma basis. Gross margin rose to 11.5 percent from 10.4 percent in the first quarter.

Improved customer targeting and support of vendors' minimum advertised prices helped boost margins, said Darryl Peck, CEO and president of Cyberian Outpost.

Outpost.com saw its customer base increase 18 percent from the first quarter. About half of the company's revenue came from repeat customers.

Shares of Cyberian Outpost were unchanged at 8 3/4 in Wednesday's regular trading prior to the quarterly report. Of four Wall Street firms surveyed by Zack's Investment Research, two recommend Cyberian as "moderate buy" and two maintain the equivalent of "hold" advisories on the stock.>