Sales Surge Lifts Red Hat

Updated from 4:50 p.m. EST

Red Hat(RHT Quote) got back in the good graces of investors with a strong third-quarter financial report that featured a 2-cent-a-share upside surprise and a 45% jump in revenue.

The news gave shares of the open source software provider a much-needed boost: In after-hours trading Thursday, the stock was up $2.54, or 14%, to $20.50.

The Raleigh, N.C., company earned $15.5 million, or 7 cents a share, including options expenses, down from $24.6 million, or 12 cents a share, a year ago. Total revenue was $105.8 million. ...