eBay reports 27% 4Q revenue increase

SAN JOSE, Calif. eBay Wednesday reported revenue of $2.18 billion for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007. This compares to revenue of $1.72 billion for the same period last year, an increase of 27%.

The company reported net income on a GAAP basis of $531 million or 39 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $611 million or 45 cents per diluted share, for the quarter. For the same period last year, eBay reported income on a GAAP basis of $346 million, or 25 cents per share, and non-GAAP net income of $431 million, or 31 cents per share.

For the full year, eBay posted $7.67 billion in revenue, net income on a GAAP basis of $348 million or 25 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $2.11 billion or $1.53 per diluted share.

“We’re very pleased with the results for the quarter which were strengthened by a solid holiday shopping season,” said eBay president and ceo, Meg Whitman. “We had a remarkably strong year from a financial perspective. We enter 2008 with our most diverse portfolio of ecommerce offerings ever -- positioning us to drive long-term growth in the global ecommerce market.”

For the full year 2008, eBay said it expects net revenues in the range of $8.5 billion to $8.75 billion with GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.27 to $1.31 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.63 to $1.67.

For the first quarter 2008, eBay said it expects net revenues in the range of $2 billion to $2.05 billion with GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of 28 cents to 30 cents and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of 37 cents to 39 cents.