8/15...BEA Systems 2nd-qtr profits top expectations
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug 15 (Reuters) - BEA Systems Inc. (NasdaqNM:BEAS - news), a maker of software that helps enable electronic commerce, on Tuesday reported second-quarter profits that topped consensus analyst forecasts as sales rose 80 percent.
For the quarter ended July 31, San Jose, Calif.-based BEA said profits before one-time items more than tripled to $21.9 million, or 5 cents a share, from $6.0 million, or 2 cents, a year ago. Sales rose to $186.0 million from $103.2 million.
On that basis, the results topped the consensus forecast of analyst polled by First Call/Thomson Financial of 4 cents.
``Revenue growth and demand for our products continues to accelerate, as companies pursue robust and creative e-business initiatives,'' said Bill Coleman, BEA's chairman and chief executive.
During the quarter, BEA said it sold its software to new customers such as Akamai Technologies Inc., which speeds the delivery of Web pages, Credit Suisse First Boston, British Telecom, Sherwin Williams and others.
BEA also unveiled a series of partnerships with computer services and software companies such as Computer Sciences Crop., Unisys Systems, Loudcloud, Manugistics, KPMG and others.
BEA shares fell 1-9/16 to 48-7/8 on the Nasdaq. The stock has risen 44 percent this year, but is well off its record high of 78-7/8 reached Feb. 22 this year.
Including acquisition-related expenses, a premium paid for early conversation of convertible notes and taxes on gains realised by employees from stock option exercises, BEA had net income of $2.27 million, or 1 cent a share, compared with a loss of $2.07 million, or 1 cent a share, a year ago. |
