Discovery Communications Inc. (DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) reported first-quarter net income available to stockholders of $231 million or $0.63 per share, compared to $221 million or $0.57 per share last year. Total revenues increased to $1.16 billion from $1.09 billion last year.
The company said its profit increased primarily due to the strong underlying operating performance in the current year's quarter as well as a $92 million gain associated with the consolidation of Discovery Japan and $46 million of improved equity earnings, partially offset by higher taxes, increased mark-to-market equity-based compensation and $59 million of losses from hedging activities primarily associated with the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations.
On average, 25 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit of $0.65 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Analysts expected revenue of $1.15 billion for the quarter.
For the full year 2013, Discovery Communications expects total revenue between $5.575 billion and $5.700 billion, and net income available to stockholders of $1.20 billion to $1.30 billion. The company said its updated outlook incorporates the later closing of the SBS transaction, current foreign exchange rates for revenues and expenses and the current share price for mark-to-market equity-based compensation calculations. Analysts expect the company to report fiscal 2013 revenue of $5.55 billion.
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