InterDigital Blows Away Analyst Expectations

posted fourth quarter earnings results after the bell on Wednesday. The company's earnings per share came in at $0.38, significantly more than the $0.01 estimate. Revenue was also much greater than expected at $87.9 million; the consensus estimate was for $61.17 million. Shares were halted before earnings, but even after resuming, the resulting rally was relatively tame. Shares traded up just about two percent in the after-hours session. InterDigital is primarily a patent company (some have labeled it a “patent troll”) that makes its money by signing licensing deals with wireless handset makers like

and

. Because of its patent portfolio, and the recent legal battles between the likes of

and Samsung, InterDigital has been seen by many as a potential takeover target. Shares of InterDigital traded near $46 after-hours Wednesday.