Live Nation Moves to Profit

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Live Nation Entertainment Inc. reported a second quarter profit on higher concert attendance and increased sales at its North American events, with the results beating Wall Street expectations.

After the markets closed on Monday, the Beverly Hills concert and artist promoter reported net income of $13.3 million (7 cents per share), compared with a loss of $32.8 million (19 cents) in the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose 23 percent to $1.56 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected the company to report per-share profit of 2 cents on revenue of $1.32 billion for the quarter.

Overall, attendance at its shows rose 6 percent to 13 million, with its domestic business doing far better than elsewhere. In North America, the company put on 4,243 shows, a 16 percent increase. Attendance grew 13 percent to 8.9 million people, and spending on refreshments and parking rose 3 percent to $19.21 per concertgoer. Outside North America, Live Nation held 1,591 shows, 16 percent fewer, with attendance down 6 percent to 4.2 million people.

“The company is now delivering strong results, with growth driven through increased ticket sales, improved show profitability in concerts and growth in our advertising businesses,” said Chief Executive Michael Rapino in a statement.

Live Nation earlier closed down 60 cents, or 6.4 percent, to $8.78 on the New York Stock Exchange and rose 5 percent in after-hours trading.