DTS 4th-quarter net income rises 61 percent, boosted by Blu-ray players and game consoles

DTS 4Q net income increases 61 percent

CALABASAS, Calif. — DTS Inc., which licenses audio technology for consumer electronics, said Monday its fourth-quarter earnings rose 61 percent, helped by sales of Blu-ray disc players and video game consoles.

Earnings for the three months ended Dec. 31 increased to $4.8 million, or 27 cents per share, from $3 million, or 17 cents per share in the 2008 quarter. The results included a special charge for amortization related to an acquisition that lowered earnings by one cent per share.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had forecast a profit of 24 cents per share. Analyst estimates generally exclude special items.

Revenue improved 16 percent to $21.2 million from $18.3 million in the same period a year earlier, more than the $20.2 million Wall Street was expecting.

The company said the growing popularity of Blu-ray disc players helped results in the quarter, as did brisker second-half sales of video game consoles and stand-alone video game players.

For the full year, DTS said its net income slipped 7 percent to $10.6 million, or 60 cents per share, from $11.4 million, or 63 cents per share in 2008.

Annual revenue rose 29 percent to $77.7 million from $60.2 million.