July 29, 2004

Internet search provider Ask Jeeves said second-quarter earnings more than doubled, after the company increased its market share with the acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings earlier this year.

Second-quarter earnings rose to $11.6 million, or 18 cents per share, from $4.9 million, or 9 cents per share, last year, the company said.

Excluding amortization and other charges, the company had earnings from continuing operations of $15.7 million, or 24 cents per share, up from earnings from continuing operations of $5.2 million, or 10 cents a share, last year.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call estimated Ask Jeeves' second-quarter earnings at 22 cents per share.

Revenue for the second quarter rose 136 percent to $60.3 million from $25.6 million last year, Ask Jeeves said.

The company said it expects third-quarter earnings of $16.5 million, or 24 cents per share, excluding charges, on revenue of $74 million. With amortization charges from the acquisition, the company predicts earnings per share of 14 cents. For fiscal 2004, the company expects unadjusted earnings of $1.03 per share, or 77 cents per share after charges, on revenue of about $260 million.

Analysts predict the company will post third-quarter earnings of 27 cents a share on revenue of $76.6 million and fiscal 2004 earnings of $1.04 a share on revenue of $260 million.

Shares of Ask Jeeves recently traded down 51 cents to $27.35 in after-hours trading on the Nasdaq National Market after ending the regular session down $3.16 to $27.86.

Source: Ask Jeeves

        

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