LinkedIn Tops Q3 Estimates, Shares Surge

Shares of

jumped over 9 percent in after-hours trading after the company reported stronger-than-expected results for the third quarter on Thursday. The Mountain View, California-based company reported quarterly net loss of $40.5 million, or $0.31 per share, versus a year-ago loss of $4.3 million, or $0.03 per share. Excluding items, non-GAAP earnings climbed to $0.78 per share from $0.52 per share. Its total revenue climbed 37 percent year-over-year to $779.6 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.46 per share on revenue of $755.64 million. The average estimate among 253 Estimize users was for earnings of $0.49 per share on revenue of $758.12 million. Talent Solutions revenue surged 46 percent year-over-year to $502 million in the latest quarter, while Marketing Solutions revenue rose 28 percent to $140 million. Premium Subscriptions revenue climbed 21 percent year-over-year to $138 million. "LinkedIn delivered strong results in the third quarter, and recently announced several products focused on delivering increased member and customer value," said Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn. "Our commitment to investing in our long-term roadmap continues to lay the foundation for future growth of the company." LinkedIn expects Q4 adjusted earnings of $0.74 per share on revenue of $845 million to $850 million. Analysts projected earnings of $0.67 per share on revenue of $845.9 million. LinkedIn projects FY15 adjusted earnings of $2.63 per share on revenue of $2.975 billion to $2.98 billion. Analysts expected earnings of $2.25 per share on revenue of $2.95 billion. LinkedIn shares climbed 9.31 percent to $237.25 in the after-hours trading session.