Internet firm's profit surges

Acme Packet Inc., a maker of communications equipment that routes voice and data over IP networks, said its fourth-quarter profit surged on sharp sales growth.

Net income increased to $10.8 million, or 18 cents per share, from earnings of $2.4 million, or breakeven on a per-share basis, the Burlington company said today.

Excluding a tax benefit of 8 cents per share and a penny per share in stock-compensation costs, Acme earned 11 cents per share in the recent period.

Revenue climbed 87 percent, to $23.7 million from $12.7 million, as the company attracted new customers and saw rising demand for its products.

Analysts, on average, expected Acme to earn 6 cents per share on $24.6 million in sales, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.
(AP)