RightNow swings to a profit in 3rd-quarter

RightNow Technologies posts 3rd-quarter profit on higher revenue, shares jump after-hours

• On 5:57 pm EDT, Thursday October 22, 2009

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) -- Rightnow Technologies Inc., a customer support software maker, said Thursday it swung to a profit in the third quarter on higher revenue.

The company earned $2 million, or 6 cents per share, during the July-September period -- reversing a year-ago loss of $1.4 million, or 4 cents per share.

Excluding stock-based compensation charges of $1.8 million, the company's adjusted net income totaled 12 cents per share, matching the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Revenue rose 7 percent to $38.7 million from $36.2 million in the year-earlier period -- topping analysts' estimate of $37.7 million.

Looking ahead, RightNow expects adjusted fourth-quarter profit of 4 cents to 6 cents per share and revenue in the range of $39 million to $40 million. Analysts have forecast profit of 6 cents per share on sales of $39.3 million.

Shares of RightNow jumped $1.44, or 10.2 percent, to $15.60 in after-hours trading, after falling 16 cents to close at $14.16.