NEW YORK (AP) -- Elizabeth Arden was dragged to a loss in the third quarter by higher expenses and one-time charges as it beefs up its brand, but profits were in line with Wall Street expectations and it topped revenue projections.
For the period ended March 31, the beauty products company lost $1.3 million, or 4 cents per share. That compares with a profit of $2.2 million, or 7 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding acquisition-related costs and charges related to the repositioning of the company brand, earnings were 2 cents per share.
Total operating expenses increased to $121.9 million from $112.2 million.
Revenue rose 11 percent to $264.5 million from $239.3 million, beating the $261.5 million that analysts surveyed by FactSet had predicted.
Sales climbed 9.4 percent in North America, thanks to the launch of new products like Pink Friday Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber's Girlfriend and Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Enchanted, as well as strength in existing products like the Juicy Couture fragrances.
Overseas, sales increased 14 percent, with fragrance sales up 22 percent. European fragrances sales climbed 33 percent.
Sales of Elizabeth Arden branded products rose about 1 percent worldwide during the quarter.
The company still expects fiscal 2013 adjusted earnings of $2.30 to $2.50 per share, with revenue up 9 percent to 11 percent. Based on 2012's revenue of $1.24 billion, this implies approximately $1.35 billion to $1.38 billion.
Analysts expect earnings of $2.41 per share on revenue of $1.37 billion.
Elizabeth Arden Inc. closed down 4 percent Wednesday at $39.29
