Earthlink Posts Wider Loss

Internet service provider EarthLink Networks Inc. Wednesday posted a wider loss for the latest quarter, but said it was on track to climb into the black by early next year. Pasadena-based EarthLink reported a loss of $6.87 million, or 21 cents a share, for the second quarter. Although the loss was slightly wider than the year-ago loss of $4.8 million, or 20 cents a share, EarthLink edged out Wall Street consensus estimates of a loss of 22 cents a share. Revenues more than doubled to $78 million from $37.9 million. The losses were prior to goodwill amortization stemming from EarthLink’s June 1998 deal with Sprint Corp. in which it acquired the telecommunication company’s Internet assets and struck a promotional agreement.