Cognos 3Q Flat, But That Beats The Alternative

Business-intelligence software maker Cognos Inc. reported level third-quarter results Thursday, posting a profit of $13.3 million, or 15 cents a share, on revenue of $124.2 million. That's essentially unchanged from the $13.6 million in profit and $124.6 million in revenue the company posted a year ago.

Looked at sequentially, the numbers appear much stronger. Revenue was up 6.4% from the $116.3 million posted in the second quarter, ended Nov. 30. Cognos' license revenue increased by 17% compared with the second quarter, to $56.5 million. Support revenue was up 6%, to $37.5 million.

In a conference call, chief operating officer Terry Hall called the company's performance "solid," citing sales growth for Cognos' enterprise software and six large deals valued in excess of $1 million each.

"I'm pleased with the performance this quarter," CEO Ron Zambonini said in the conference call, predicting continued sequential growth in the fourth quarter. "The economic conditions this year have left no business untouched ... but the whole of Cognos has rallied."