DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

TrueBlue Inc.'s (NYSE:TBI) (TBI) fourth-quarter net income fell 33% from a year ago, when the company recorded a $4.2 million gain from a work opportunity tax credit.

The Tacoma, Wash., general labor, light industrial and skilled trades services provider's earnings decreased to $14.4 million, or 33 cents a share, from $21.6 million, or 42 cents a share, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 4.6% to $353.6 million from $338.1 million a year ago, the company said.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, predicted fourth-quarter earnings of 33 cents a share and revenue of $347.5 million.

TrueBlue expects first-quarter earnings of 18 cents to 20 cents a share and revenue of $312 million to $317 million. Wall Street is looking for earnings of 19 cents a share and revenue of $305.3 million.

-Monica M. Clark; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   01-30-08 1639   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.