The profit was attributed to lower operating costs and expenses, with the decline in the revenue attributed to unfavorable currency rate movements and the effect of a change in revenue recognition on a pass-through information products contract.

Operating income was $41.6m compared to a loss of $76m in the same period last year. Diluted EPS was $0.29 compared to a diluted net loss per share of $0.76 a year ago. Operating cash flow fell 5% to $74.7m during the quarter, and the company repurchased 140,000 shares of common stock for $1.1m.

Information services revenue fell 9% to $218.88m, while information products revenue dropped 30% to $76.62m.

For the fiscal year 2009, the company reported net income of $37.5m compared to a net loss of $7.78m a year ago, on revenue down 8% at $1.27 billion.

John Meyer, chief executive and president at Acxiom, said: "We had a strong finish to our fiscal year. We have recently signed several major client contracts which will have a positive impact on our revenues as we enter fiscal 2010. In addition, we continue to practice disciplined expense and cash flow management, both of which had a positive impact on our fourth-quarter results."

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.