(By Balaseshan) Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) reported better-than-expected second quarter profit driven by new launch of Creative Cloud and Creative Suite 6, strong Acrobat revenue and 35% jump in its Digital Marketing Suite revenue. However, the company guided third quarter below Street's view, sending its shares down 4.01% in aftermarket.
Earnings for the second quarter were $223.88 million or $0.45 per share, compared to $229.44 million or $0.45 per share last year. Adjusted earnings rose to $299.63 million or $0.60 per share from $279.87 million or $0.55 per share.
Revenue increased 10% to $1.124 billion. Analysts had expected a profit of $0.59 per share on revenue of $1.11 billion.
Products revenue increased to $871.02 million from $829.98 million, while subscription revenue grew to $159.52 million from $109.47 million. Services and support revenue rose to $93.91 million from $83.73 million.
Gross margin for the second quarter declined to 88.4% from 89.3% previous year.
Looking ahead into the third quarter, the company expects adjusted earnings of $0.56 to $0.61 per share and revenue of $1.075 billion to $1.125 billion, while Street analysts predict profit of $0.61 per share on revenue of $1.13 billion.
Adobe targets Q3 share count to be between 501 million and 502 million shares, and non-operating expense between $18 million and $20 million. Adobe's tax rate is expected to be about 23.5% on a GAAP basis and 22.5% on a non-GAAP basis.
For the fiscal 2012, the company narrowed its adjusted earnings guidance to range of $2.40 to $2.46 per share from previous forecast of $2.38 to $2.48 per share. Adobe also narrowed its annual revenue growth outlook to range of 6% to 7% from previous estimate of 6% to 8%. Street analysts currently expect earnings of $2.44 per share on revenue growth of 6.60%.
ADBE closed Tuesday's regular session up 0.80% at $32.89. The stock has been trading between $22.67 and $34.78 for the past 52 weeks.