LinkedIn Q4 profit and revenue beats Street

LinkedIn Corp. on Thursday reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue of USD 303.6 million, an 81 percent rise from a year ago, as millions of new job-seekers and corporate recruiters signed up for the professional social network's services.

Excluding certain items, net income was USD 40.2 million, or 35 cents a share, above the 19 cents expected by analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Linkedin hits 200 million user mark, adds two new users every second

Shares rose 10 percent to USD 137 in extended trading.

A star in the otherwise disappointing social media sector, LinkedIn has beat expectations for the seventh consecutive quarter since going public in May 2011 at USD 45 a share.

The company offered bullish forecasts for the first quarter as well, projecting revenue between USD 305 million and USD 310 million, above analyst estimates of USD 301 million.