Intuit Beats Estimates

Intuit Inc., the top maker of personal-finance software, said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings beat expectations as its new QuickBooks small-business accounting software boosted revenue. On a pro forma basis, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company reported a loss of $16.3 million, or 26 cents a share. Analysts expected a loss of 33 cents a share, the average estimate from First Call Corp. Revenue rose 28% to $149.9 million from $117.3 million. Sales of QuickBooks increased 53% compared with year-ago figures, according to July results from market researcher PC Data. Results were released after the close of markets. Intuit shares fell $1.75 to close at $82.88 on Nasdaq.