Despite poor weather and the timing of holidays depressing customer traffic, California Pizza Kitchen Inc. reported a small profit in the fourth quarter compared to a year-ago loss.

After the Thursday markets closed, the Los Angeles casual dining chain reported net income of $440,000 (2 cents a share), compared with a net loss of $9.9 million (41 cents) a year earlier.

Revenue fell 6 percent to less than $158 million, with full-service comparable restaurant sales down 1.1 percent. Like other restaurant companies, California Pizza said sales were hurt by Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on Saturdays, as well as stormy weather in California and other key markets.

Excluding one-time charges, including store closure costs and a review of strategic alternatives, adjusted profit was $4.15 million or (17 cents). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected per-share profit of 9 cents on revenue of $158 million.

Looking forward, the company expects first quarter per-share profit in the range of 3 to 5 cents, significantly lower than the Wall Street consensus of 11 cents.

Anton Brenner at Roth Capital cut his recommendation on shares from “buy” to “neutral” Friday morning. Nicole Miller Regan at Piper Jaffray maintained her “neutral” rating, saying the company’s consideration of buyout or other strategic alternatives was obscuring the performance of its business. The company reportedly was in takeover discussions with a New York private equity firm last summer, but those talks faltered last.

“We credit (California Pizza) for its solid brand reputation at its core restaurant portfolio and favorable exposure to the high-margin licensed frozen pizza business,” Regan said in a notes to clients.

Shares were up 47 cents, or 3 percent, to $17.05 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.