ValueClick: Q4 Outlook Misses; 3 Analysts Downgrade

ValueClick (VCLK) after the close yesterday posted solid results for the third quarter - but the stock is set for a fall this morning after the online ad company offered weaker than expected guidance for the fourth quarter, triggering a flurry of negative analyst commentary.

For the quarter, the company posted revenue of $130.2 million and EPS adjusted for a tax item of 15 cents a share, ahead of the Street at $129.2 million and 14 cents.

However, the company said it expects Q4 revenue of $128 million to $138 million and GAAP EPS of 15-16 cents a share, below the Street at $142 million and 17 cents.

That guidance triggered downgrades in the stock today by analysts at Needham, ThinkEquity and Merriman Curhan Ford, who cited concerns about weakness in the company’s comparison pricing segment.