DreamWorks Quarter Falls Short

0

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc late Thursday said that its net income nearly doubled in the fourth quarter due to a one-time tax benefit. But the film studios revenue and adjusted earnings came in below Wall Street expectations.

After the markets closed, the Glendale company reported net income of $85.2 million, (99 cents per share), compared with $43.6 million (50 cents) a year earlier. Revenue rose 42 percent to $276 million.

Adjusted to exclude a $45 million tax benefit, per-share profit was 47 cents. Analysts were expecting 75 cents on revenue of $291 million.

Several analysts had earlier lowered their earnings expectations for DreamWorks because Will Ferrell-voiced comedy “Megamind,” had a disappointing opening Nov. 5. It contributed $26.6 million to the quarter, and has since reached about $320 million in worldwide box office to date.

The poor performance of “Megamind” was a drag on the studio’s biggest box-office year ever. The company for the first time released three feature-length CG animated films in a single year, including “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “Shrek Forever After,” which grossed a combined $1.6 billion worldwide.

Shares earlier closing 7 cents or 1 percent to $28.10, and were down about 1 percent in after-hours trading.

No posts to display