Jan 26 - National Instruments (NATI.O), a supplier of measurement and automation products, posted fourth-quarter profit in line with market and forecast a strong first quarter as demand improved across all its segments.
For the fourth quarter, net income was $2.4 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with $19.3 million, or 25 cents a share, a year ago.
Excluding items, it earned 28 cents a share.
Revenue was nearly flat at $201.6 million, but up 22 percent sequentially.
Analysts on average had expected earnings of 28 cents a share, on revenue of $197.3 million for the fourth quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The company said orders returned to growth in the quarter, up 2 percent.
For the first quarter, the company forecast earnings of 30 to 38 cents a share, excluding items, on revenue of $192 million to $202 million. It expects net income of 24 cents to 32 cents a share.
Analysts were looking for earnings of 20 cents a share on revenue of $184.1 million for the first quarter.
Shares of the company rose 3 percent after the bell. They closed at $28.85 Tuesday on Nasdaq.
For the fourth quarter, net income was $2.4 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with $19.3 million, or 25 cents a share, a year ago.
Excluding items, it earned 28 cents a share.
Revenue was nearly flat at $201.6 million, but up 22 percent sequentially.
Analysts on average had expected earnings of 28 cents a share, on revenue of $197.3 million for the fourth quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The company said orders returned to growth in the quarter, up 2 percent.
For the first quarter, the company forecast earnings of 30 to 38 cents a share, excluding items, on revenue of $192 million to $202 million. It expects net income of 24 cents to 32 cents a share.
Analysts were looking for earnings of 20 cents a share on revenue of $184.1 million for the first quarter.
Shares of the company rose 3 percent after the bell. They closed at $28.85 Tuesday on Nasdaq.
