IHS boosts profit in Q4, 2009

Colorado's IHS Inc. posted higher profit for its most recent quarter and the full fiscal year, citing growth in its subscription-based business and overseas.

The Arapahoe County-based information and analysis company (NYSE: IHS) reported results late Thursday for both the quarter ending Nov. 30, which it regards as its fiscal fourth quarter, and the fiscal year ending on the same date.

IHS said its net income on the quarter was $41.2 million, or 64 cents a diluted share, up from $33.3 million, or 53 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding special items, net income on the fourth quarter was 75 cents a share. That bested analysts' average forecasts of 66 cents, Thomson Reuters reported.

Quarterly revenue was $257.1 million, up 11 percent from $230.6 million a year earlier, slightly under analysts' expectation of $258.7 million.

Subscription sales for the company's services rose 12 percent.

On the full fiscal-year 2009, net income rose to $135 million, or $2.11 a diluted share, from $99 million, or $1.57 a share, in FY 2008. Revenue rose to $967.3 million from $844 million a year earlier.

"Despite the challenging economy, we stayed focused on providing our customers with the critical information and insight they need and were able to drive profitable growth as a result," Chairman and CEO Jerre Stead said in a statement.

In guidance for fiscal-year 2010, IHS For projected adjusted earnings of $2.87 a share and revenue of $1.04 billion to $1.08 billion.

IHS offers information and analysis on energy operations, the environment, economics and defense issues. It is the parent of IHS Global Insight, IHS Jane's and IHS Cera.

Denver Business Journal