Earnings roundup: Scientific-Atlanta hurdles 1Q estimates
Scientific-Atlanta (NYSE: SFA) leapt past consensus estimates in the first quarter.
After market close Thursday, the maker of TV set-top boxes reported fiscal first quarter net income of $63.8 million, or 38 cents per share, excluding one-time events. First Call consensus predicted a profit of 30 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 29.
Including a non-recurring gain of $49.5 million, Scientific-Atlanta earned $113.3 million, or 67 cents per share.
First quarter revenue increased 71 percent year-over-year to $597.2 million from $349.3 million. The company shipped more than 1 million Explorer set-top boxes, and took orders of for more than 1.2 million.
Shares of Scientific-Atlanta rose 3.5625 to 52.5625 in Thursday's regular trading, prior to the earnings report.
Other technoloy and Internet companies reporting quarterly results Thursday:
The provider of localized online content and ticket sales reported a third quarter loss of $7.6 million, or 11 cents per share, excluding special charges. First Call consensus predicted a loss of 13 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30.
Also Thursday, Ticketmaster Online-Citysearch said it's comfortable with consensus analyst estimates that call for per-share losses of 12 cents on revenue of $59.5 million in the fourth quarter, and 21 cents on revenue of $287 million in 2001.
Based on those projections, analysts see revenue increasing about 123.5 percent next year. Revenue growth in 2002 will be "consistent" with growth in 2001, said the company, which sees a profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the full 2002.
The provider of e-commerce services reported a third quarter loss of $9.9 million, or 26 cents per share, excluding amortization. First Call's survey of two analysts predicted a loss of 27 cents per share.
Including all charges, Beyond.com lost $39.9 million, or $1.06 per share.
Third quarter revenue of $29.1 million included $25.9 million from eStores and government systems.
Beyond.com also moved up its schedule for operating profitability. The company now sees positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in the first quarter of 2002, three quarters earlier than previously expected. The company said it would increase gross profit by 120 to 130 percent from the third quarter of this year, while cutting operating costs by 15 to 20 percent.
The company said its net income was 33 cents a diluted share, compared with $6.8 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, in last year's first quarter.
Analysts who follow the company had been forecasting a profit of 26 cents per share, according to First Call.
Revenues for the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based company rose to $55.5 million, up 92 percent from the $28.9 million reported in the year-ago period. Sequential revenue growth rose 31 percent from the previous month.
Analysts polled by First Call had forecast MP3.com to report a loss of 12 cents a share.
The controversial online music company said revenues rose to $20.5 million in the quarter from $4.1 million a year ago, and up from $20.2 million in the second quarter.
Pro forma net loss for the quarter was $6.1 million, or $0.09 per share, versus a loss of $17.8 million, or $0.30 per share in the year earlier quarter.
MP3.com, which has been involved in a high-profile legal battle with the recording industry, said third-quarter 2000 results included amortization of deferred compensation, but exclude reserves for several items such as an additional charge for estimated total costs for litigation and copyright matters associated with the My.MP3.com service.
When non-operating charges are included, net loss for the third quarter was $48.7 million, or $0.74 per basic and diluted share, compared with $19.9 million or $0.33 per basic and diluted share, in the third quarter 1999.
The seller of postage over the Internet reported a third quarter loss of $18.9 million, or 50 cents per share, excluding amortization. First Call consensus predicted a loss of 53 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30.
Including amortization, E-Stamp lost $23.7 million, or 63 cents per share.
Third quarter revenue increased to $1.8 million, up 13 percent sequentially and more than 400 percent year-over-year.>