Software performance optimization specialist Mercury reported a 167% jump in net income to $35m on sales that grew 34% to $204.28m for the period to December 31. Earnings per share jumped $0.23 to $0.36.
For the year, Mercury’s income surged by 103% to $84.6m on sales of $685.5m, growing 35%, and surpassing revised targets. EPS came in at $0.95 up from the previous year’s $0.48.
The figures were inline with a revised earnings statement issued last month that forecast Mercury would see fourth-quarter revenue of between $203m and $205m up from the company’s previous range of between $185m and $195m. Mercury revised annual figures had forecast a 35% increased in revenue to $684m.
Yesterday’s results appear to place Mercury on a firm footing towards reaching its goal of breaking through the $1bn revenue barrier during 2005 and, ultimately, becoming one of the industry’s big five software companies.
The company, which numbers just 2,322 employees, hopes to join giants Microsoft, whose sales last year grew by 14.4% Oracle, 7.2%, SAP, 9.5%, Computer Associates, 8.2% and SunGuard Data Systems, 14%.
Looking ahead, Mercury expects first-quarter revenue of between $190m and $200m with GAAP diluted EPS of between $0.26 and $0.32. For the year, Mercury expects revenue to grow between 28% and 32% with GAAP EPS of between $1.36 and $1.46.
Company chief executive Amnon Landen, said in a statement: The fourth quarter was our best quarter ever and 2004 our best year.
