SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Business intelligence software provider Hyperion Solutions Corp. said Thursday that fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 40 percent, driven by record sales of license revenue.
Net income increased to $20.7 million, or 50 cents per share, from $14.7 million, or 36 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding items, the company posted profit of $22.8 million, or 55 cents per share, in the latest period.
Revenue increased 7 percent to $189 million from $176.4 million last year.
The results beat analysts' expectations for earnings of 52 cents per share on sales of $187.6 million, according to a Thomson Financial survey.
Software license revenue increased 9 percent to $78.8 million from $72.2 million a year ago, while maintenance and services revenue grew 6 percent to $110.2 million from $104.1 million last year.
Looking ahead, Hyperion is forecasting first-quarter operating profit of 38 cents to 43 cents per share on sales of $168 million to $172 million. Analysts are predicting profit of 40 cents per share on sales of $171.8 million.
Hyperion shares fell 66 cents to close at $44.01 on the Nasdaq.
