LinkedIn crushes Q4 expectations with revenue of $303.6M, EPS of $0.35 as it passes 200 million users

Today LinkedIn reported its fourth quarter financial performance, including revenue of $303.6 million, and earnings per share of $0.35, on a non-GAAP basis. Analysts had expected revenue of $280 million, and earnings per share of $0.19.

LinkedIn, down several points in regular trading, has soared following its smash. Its quarterly revenue was up 81 percent on a year over year basis. Its user base, over the 200 million mark for the first time, rose 39 percent from the year prior. That figure isn’t new, but it does help put the earnings report into context.

On a non-GAAP basis, LinkedIn’s net income soared from $13.3 million to $40.2 million, comparing fourth quarters of 2011 and 2012. On a GAAP basis, the numbers from the respective years are a more sober $6.9 million and $11.5 million.

Before its earnings were reported, the company was worth $13.3 billion. In its most recent sequential quarter, LinkedIn bested both top and bottom line expectations, reporting revenue of $252 million and earnings per share of $0.22.

International revenue is key for LinkedIn, as roughly two thirds of its userbase is not from its home market, and yet the firm derives but only about one third of its total revenues from those users abroad. In other words, LinkedIn hasn’t monetized those users as well as it would have liked to in the past.

For the fourth quarter, international revenue totaled 38 percent of LinkedIn’s revenues, an improvement, but not one large enough to show strong growth in those markets, compared to its US operations.

For the full calendar year of 2012, LinkedIn had $972.3 million in revenue, and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.89.

For the first quarter of 2013, LinkedIn anticipates revenue of $305 million to $310 million. EBITDA will land in the high $60 million range.  For the call year, LinkedIn expects revenues of between $1.41 and $1.44 billion.

LinkedIn had a good day today, beating both revenue and earnings expectations. Its 10 percent rise in the markets that it was immediately given is its reward.

Top Image Credit: Sheila Scarborough