Jupiter sees strong 1Q

Internet commerce research firm Jupiter Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: JPTR) gained 19 percent Thursday after it said it expects to first quarter revenue will be $16.5 million, up 175 percent from the year-ago period.

Shares were up 4 1/2 to 26 1/2. Shares spiked in February when the company met fourth quarter expectations.

Jupiter also said it expects EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, to break even for the quarter. First Call consensus estimates had called for the company to post a loss of 11 cents a share.

Contract value climbed 232 percent to $50.5 million. The company also said growth in conference revenues contributed to the higher-than-expected revenue.

Jupiter plans to report final results for the first quarter in the first week of May 2000.

Jupiter's competitors include Media Metrix (Nasdaq: MMXI),Gartner Group (NYSE: IT) and Forrester Research (Nasdaq: FORR).