Athenahealth, Inc. Q4 Earnings Retreat 21%

(RTTNews) - Athenahealth, Inc. (ATHN) released a profit for fourth quarter that lost ground compared to the same period last year.

The company said its bottom line fell to $17.82 million, or $0.45 per share. This was lower than $22.55 million, or $0.58 per share, in last year's fourth quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.41 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company said revenue for the quarter rose 20.8% to $257.53 million. This was up from $213.21 million last year.

Athenahealth, Inc. earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $17.82 Mln. vs. $22.55 Mln. last year. -Earnings Decline (Y-o-Y): -21.0% -EPS (Q4): $0.45 vs. $0.58 last year. -EPS Decline (Y-o-Y): -22.4% -Analysts Estimate: $0.41 -Revenue (Q4): $257.53 Mln vs. $213.21 Mln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 20.8%

-Guidance: Full year EPS guidance: $1.65 - $1.85 Full year revenue guidance: $1.09 - $1.12 Bln