• by Wayne Friedman , April 29, 2011

Significant IPO charges pulled Nielsen N.V. into an overall net loss situation for its first quarter -- but its continuing operations posted higher profits. 

The marketing and media data company tallied a net loss of $182 million, versus a net profit of $42 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Excluding special items, adjusted earnings came in significantly higher than when compared to the prior year. Adjusted income was $64 million compared with $16 million in the first quarter of 2010. All that pushed up its stock 4.4% during midday trading.

Nielsen executives tout decent performance from continuing operations. First-quarter revenues gained 8.9% to $1.302 billion. This comes to a 7.3% gain -- on a constant currency basis -- compared to the first quarter of 2010.

Nielsen says it made improvements in its "Buy" business segment -- the tracking retail transactions -- a 9.8% gain (7.9% on a constant currency basis), a 6.4% increase for its TV ratings service "Watch" segment (5.4% on a constant currency basis) and a 14.3% increase in its "Expositions" segment, its magazines businesses.

"Nielsen delivered solid operating and financial performance in the first quarter. We achieved positive results across all segments and continue to benefit from our global platform and strength within developing markets," stated Nielsen Chief Executive Officer David Calhoun, in a release.