Semiconductor maker Atheros Communications swings to 4Q profit on 89 percent jump in sales

Atheros swings to 4Q profit on big jump in sales

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Atheros Communications Inc., which makes semiconductors for wireless networks, posted a fourth-quarter profit Monday, reversing a year-ago loss, as revenue nearly doubled.

The company said it earned $15.6 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with a loss of $4.8 million, or 8 cents per share, a year earlier.

Without special items, the company said it would have earned 62 cents per share, compared with 17 cents per share on the same basis a year ago. Analysts had expected the company to earn 53 cents per share excluding items.

Revenue rose to $185.7 million, up 89 percent from $98.3 million a year ago. Analysts expected $174.7 million, according to Thomson Reuters.

For the full year, net income rose to $46.4 million, or 73 cents per share, compared with $18.9 million, or 30 cents per share, in 2008. Revenue rose to $542.5 million, up 15 percent from $472.4 million in 2008.

Shares in Atheros Communications rose 57 cents to $34.30 in regular trading Monday, then slipped 80 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $33.50 in extended trading after the report.