Feb. 27--Southpointe-based engineering software firm Ansys Inc. reported higher profits in the fourth quarter but expects the global economy to present challenges in the months ahead.

Ansys reported net income of $31.9 million in the fourth quarter, or 34 cents per share, up from $29.3 million, or 36 cents, during the same period the year before.

Excluding various accounting adjustments, the company would have earned 50 cents per share. Analysts expected 44 cents.

Total revenue for the quarter was $135 million compared to $111 million during the same period in 2007.

For the full year, Ansys posted revenues of $478 million and net income of $111.7 million.

"Our ongoing challenge will be to respond to market conditions without sacrificing longterm opportunity," said Jim Cashman, president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement.

Ansys is now projecting revenues for 2009 in the range of $522 million to $582 million. That's down from the $602 million to $622 million that the company offered at the end of the third quarter.

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