(RTTNews) -  Thursday, RightNow Technologies, Inc. (RNOW: News ), a provider of customer relationship management software and services, reported third quarter earnings, compared to a loss last year, as revenue increased. The company also provided guidance for the fourth quarter and revised its outlook for fiscal 2009.

Net income for the quarter was $2.0 million or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million or $0.04 per share in the corresponding period last year.

Non-GAAP net income, which excludes stock-based compensation charges of $1.8 million, was $3.8 million, up from $85 thousands in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP earnings rose to $0.12 per share from $0.00 per share in the same period last year and came in above the $0.07 projected by seventeen analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Total revenue rose to $38.7 million from $36.2 million a year-earlier and exceeded the $37.68 million projected by Street analysts. Recurring revenue increased 15% to $29.7 million from $25.9 million in the year-ago quarter.

RightNow said new, renewed and expanded customer relationships during the quarter included Epson, FICO, iRobot, Lucent-Alcatel, The Men's Wearhouse, Nike, Photobox, TiVo, U.S. Air Force and Virgin Mobile.

While announcing the financial results for the second quarter, the company said for the third quarter of 2009, it expects revenue to be in the range of $37 to $38 million. Net income per share is expected to be in the range of $0.00 to $0.02 and non-GAAP net income per share is expected to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.08, the company said.
Commenting on the results, Jeff Davison, chief financial officer said, "We are pleased to report revenue and earnings ahead of guidance, which was driven by recurring revenue growth."

For the nine month period, net income was $3.3 million or $0.10 per share compared to a net loss of $8.0 million or $0.24 per share in the comparable period last year. Non-GAAP net income was $9.4 million or $0.29 per share, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $3.3 million or $0.10 per share for the same period last year. Revenue increased to $111.1 million from $104.4 million a year-earlier.

Looking ahead, for the fourth quarter, earnings are expected to be in the range of a loss of $0.01 share to earnings of $0.01 per share. Non-GAAP income is expected to be in the range of $0.04 to $0.06 per share. Currently analysts expect the company to earn $0.06 per share for the quarter.

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