ValueClick Inc. reported third-quarter net income of $17 million (17 cents per share), nearly the same as the year earlier, beating analysts’ expectation of 16 cents, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

Revenue for the Westlake Village-based online advertising firm rose 14 percent to $157 million also beating Wall Streeet’s predictions of $156 million.

ValueClick said its results were hurt by continued weakness in the lead generation portion of its media business which is currently under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.

However, the company said its comparison shopping segment which includes Shopping.net, which ValueClick acquired in December, and MeziMedia, which was acquired in July, performed better-than expected.

Shares in ValueClick closed down 7.8 percent Thursday to $25.08 and continued to slide in early trading Friday to $24.87. Shares are up 6 percent for the year.