FireEye reports first-ever adjusted quarterly profit, shares jump
Cyber security firm FireEye Inc (FEYE.O) on Thursday reported its first-ever quarterly adjusted profit since going public in 2013, highlighting gains from the company’s shift to a subscription model and its cost-cutting efforts.
FireEye’s shares were up 13.2 percent in extended trading.
The company reported a profit of 1 cent per share for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with analysts’ average estimate of a net loss of 1 cent.
Subscription and services business rose 8.5 percent to $164 million in the quarter as the company transitions to a software-as-a-service model (SaaS) from its traditional business that centered around the sale of hardware boxes.
“We delivered year-over-year and sequential growth in every major product group and geographic region, and we closed a record number of transactions greater than $1 million,” Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mandia said in a statement.
The company reported adjusted billings of $242.2 million, topping analysts’ estimate of $221 million, according to research firm FactSet.
Billings include revenue recognized plus the change in deferred revenue – an important indicator of the health and visibility of a company’s business.
Susquehanna analyst Anne Meisner said the deferred revenue mix indicates perhaps some continued contraction in contract lengths as the company’s revenue mix shifts more toward SaaS and other subscription-based products.
The company, which has probed some of the biggest cyber attacks to date including the Equifax breach, has also kept a tight leash on costs.
“At the end of (2016), we really realigned our cost structure. By doing so, we were able to take out $94 million of full-year operating expenses,” Chief Financial Officer Frank Verdecanna told Reuters.
The Milpitas, California-based company said it expected to report between breakeven and earnings of 4 cents per share for the full-year, compared with analysts’ estimate of a net loss of 2 cents.
FireEye also said it expected revenue in the range of $815 million to $825 million, above estimates of $799.3 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
FireEye said net loss attributable to shareholders widened to $77 million, or 42 cents per share, in the fourth quarter from $61.5 million, or 37 cents per share, a year earlier.
The quarter included payment of $12.5 million in net legal settlement costs, the company said.
Total revenue rose 9.5 percent to $202.3 million, beating analysts’ estimate of $193.6 million.
Source:- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fireeye-results/fireeye-reports-first-ever-adjusted-quarterly-profit-shares-jump-idUSKBN1FS388
