DoubleClick Raises Profit Estimate

DoubleClick yesterday raised its revenue and profit estimate for last year, due to what the company said was a stronger-than-expected performance by its ad management and e-mail units and by Performics--a bid-management business for search that the company acquired in June.

DoubleClick is now estimating profits of between 6 and 7 cents a share for the fourth quarter, and between 24 and 25 cents a share for the year--up from its previous estimate of between 1 and 4 cents for the quarter and 21 and 24 cents for the year.

The company also revised its income estimate for the fourth quarter of last year from $81 million to $82 million, up from an October forecast of $72 million to $77 million. The 2004 revenue is now expected to be in the $298 million to $299 million range--up from prior predictions of between $290 million and $295 million.

Yesterday's report came a few days after DoubleClick announced that it had added Fox.com to its client roster. Still, DoubleClick's future is unclear. In October, the company said it hired investment bank Lazard Freres & Co. to explore "strategic options," prompting speculation that the company would be broken up or sold.

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