LinkedIn Results Top Estimates, Provides Robust FY Guidance; Stock Up 5%

(RTTNews) - LinkedIn Corp (LNKD), the online professional network, on Thursday reported fourth-quarter net earnings to common stockholders of $3 million or $0.02 per share compared with $3.8 million or $0.03 per share last year.

Excluding stock-based compensation expense and other one-time items, the company's adjusted earnings for the quarter were $0.61 per share compared with $0.39 per share a year ago.

Revenues for the quarter were $643.4 million compared with $447.2 million in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $0.53 per share on revenues of $616.8 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

For the first quarter, LinkedIn expects adjusted earnings of $0.53 per share on revenues of $618 million to $622 million. Analysts expect earnings of $0.55 per share on revenues of $645.7 million.

For the full year 2015, the company projects adjusted earnings of $2.95 per share on revenues of $2.93 billion to $2.95 billion. Analysts expect earnings of $2.73 per share on revenues of $2.94 billion.