Business Objects Surpasses Estimates

Earnings Scorecard
Actual	Estimated*	Year-Ago
$0.37	$0.31	$0.23

Business Objects(BOBJ Quote) said it beat Wall Street's earnings estimates for the fourth quarter and projected a first-quarter number that would be in line with analysts' expectations.

The e-business software company said it earned $16.1 million, or 37 cents a share, in the quarter, up from $9.5 million, or 23 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Eleven analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial were calling for earnings of 31 cents. Revenue increased to $105.8 million from $74.8 million in the equivalent period last year.

In the first quarter, the company said it expects to earn between 20 cents and 22 cents a share, which is in the range of Wall Street's projection of 21 cents for the period. The company anticipates revenue of between $95 million and $98 million.

For 2001, the company forecast earnings of $1.20 to $1.25 a share and revenue of $452 million to $460 million. Analysts expect the company to earn $1.18 for the year.