Cynosure earnings fall

Cynosure Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings fell 40%, hurt partly by a $900,000 stock-based compensation expense.

The Westford developer of aesthetic treatment systems had fourth-quarter earnings of $1.53 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with $2.53 million, or 29 cents a share, a year earlier.

Excluding the cost of accounting for stock-option payments and a deferred income tax benefit, the company earned $2.51 million, or 21 cents a share.

Cynosure said revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 52% to $24.6 million from $16.1 million a year ago. (Dow Jones)