Cherokee Inc. on Thursday said fourth-quarter earnings rose 29 percent both due to higher licensing revenue and lower expenses.

The Van Nuys company, which licenses Cherokee and several other brands to shoe and clothing makers, reported net income of $3.1 million (35 cents per share) for the quarter ended Jan. 30, compared with $2.4 million (27 cents) a year earlier. Revenue rose 25 percent to $7.6 million.

Cherokee, whose brands include Sideout and Carole Little, said selling, general and administrative costs were down 8 percent to $12.2 million.

Full-year profit was down 12 percent to $12.6 million ($2 a share), with revenue falling

10 percent to $32.6 million. Even so, the company ended the year with $9.4 million in cash and no debt.

“This financial strength has allowed us to continue to pay significant dividends to our shareholders,” said Chief Financial Officer Russell Riopelle in a press release. “We look forward to continuing to return excess profits to our shareholders, as conditions permit and at the discretion of our board of directors.”

Shares were down 41 cents, or 2 percent, to $19.24 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.