• All Things D, Friday, February 17, 2012 12:44 PM

Despite recent concerns over traffic growth and related costs, Demand Media beat Wall Street expectations for the fourth quarter of 2011. In a conference call with analysts, CEO Richard Rosenblatt acknowledged it was a “turbulent year,” reports AllThingsD. For the quarter, the online media company said it earned eight cents per share, up one cent on analysts’ estimates of seven cents. Revenue came in higher too, at $84.4 million compared to an expected $81.95 million.

“Still, Demand shares were down almost five percent in after-hours trading on the news, to $5.94,” AllThingsD notes. The company said that about $50 million of that came from its content businesses, while just over $31 million was due to its registrar business. Free cash flow was up five-fold from $3.3 million to $18.3 million, which Demand said was due to cost controls and decreased spend on its flagship eHow site, which, as AllThingsD recalls, recently saw changes in its content and distribution platform.

Demand said it is going to buy back more of its stock, upping a $25 million plan to $50 million. Going forward, Rosenblatt said that Demand would be enhancing its properties for higher page views and more direct traffic.

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