TheStreet.com Beats Consensus Forecast

TheStreet.com Inc. (TSCM Quote) posted a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss, but revenue fell 19% from the year-ago period as lower advertising spending cut into the company's top line.

The company, a provider of financial news and commentary, reported a first-quarter loss of $6.5 million, or 23 cents a share, excluding a noncash compensation charge, goodwill amortization and one-time restructuring and severance charges. According to Thomson Financial/First Call, analysts expected the company to lose 29 cents. TheStreet.com, the publisher of this Web site, lost $13 million, or 51 cents a share, in the first quarter a year ago.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 fell to $4.4 million from $5.4 million in the same period a year ago. Subscription revenue totaled $2 million, flat with the year-ago period, while advertising revenue dropped 26% from last year to $1.9 million. ...