Results were mixed for the largest technology companies in the San Fernando Valley in the final quarter of 2005 although some underperforming companies expect improvement in the coming year. One company reported a net loss for the quarter, while others experienced lower earnings compared with the same time frame a year earlier. Two of the Valley’s larger tech companies posted profits after recovering from losses from the same quarter a year ago. The worst performance among the largest Valley-area companies was turned in by Homestore Inc., an online real estate content provider. The company reported a fourth quarter loss of $4.6 million or 0.03 per share compared to net income of $6 million from the fourth quarter of 2004. The loss included legal expenses of $5.9 million connected with litigation involving a former company officer; and $1.1 million to settle another lawsuit. Executives with Homestore, which will take on the new name Move.com in the second quarter, predict a better performance in the coming year. “We expect the new strategies and product offerings to contribute to stronger financial performance during 2006,” said Chief Executive Officer Mike Long. “Our new name, Move, will better communicate our mission, which is to provide consumers with comprehensive real estate and community information.” Companies that saw marked improvement were Camarillo-based Power One Inc. whose net income for the quarter ending Dec. 31 was $3.4 million, compared with a net loss of $9 million for the fourth quarter from the previous year. Optical Communication Products Inc. found itself in similar circumstances, posting net income of $1.1 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31 compared with a net loss of $31,000 for the same time period in 2004. Ixia, a global provider of IP network testing solutions, saw a drop in its fourth quarter net income to $5.5 million compared to $7.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. For the overall year, the company saw a 78 percent increase in net income of $33.7 million compared with $18.9 million for 2004. New users for its Internet banking and bill payment services helped Digital Insight increase its fourth quarter income to $7.6 million, or 0.21 per diluted share, compared with $3.9 million, or 0.11 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. “We continue to deliver on our commitment to revitalize growth within the lending business and the portion of our business banking segment focused on larger banks,” said Digital Insight Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Stiefler. THQ drops Agoura Hills video game producer THQ Inc. saw a drop in its third quarter income for the period ending Dec. 31 to $47.6 million from $62.9 million reported for the same period in 2004. THQ President and CEO Brian Farrell anticipates a year of growth for the company due to the release of new games for Xbox 360 and Windows PC, and games based on the upcoming film “Cars” from The Walt Disney Co. and Pixar. A robust Asian market spurred semiconductor manufacturer Diodes Inc. to an increase in net income of 10 percent to $10 million for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31 compared to $7.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. For the overall year, the company had record earnings of $33.3 million, which was an increase over the $25.6 million for the year in 2004. In 2005, Diodes purchased Taiwan-based Anachip Corp., a semiconductor firm. United Online, a Woodland Hills provider of consumer Internet subscription services, posted net income of $12.4 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31 as compared with net income of $80.2 million for the same period in 2004. The 2004 quarter results, however, included a $68.6 million tax benefit. Without the tax benefit, the company had net income of $11.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. Camarillo-based semiconductor manufacturer Semtech Corp. reported its fourth quarter income had increased 9 percent over the same period a year ago. The company earned $13.3 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $64.4 million for the fourth quarter ending Jan. 29. That is up from income of $12.1 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $58.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005. Bright future Westlake Village-based Valueclick, Inc., a global provider of online advertising products, posted net income of $13.6 million for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31. There was no comparison figure because the company will re-state its 2004 financial results. Overall, the region’s tech industry is doing well and should remain that way throughout the year, industry observers said. While the state’s business climate still remains tough, the good news for tech companies is they have access to good talent in Southern California, said Jay Ehrgott, a director with California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, a not-for-profit agency. “It’s a good environment for companies,” Ehrgott said.” All the things in place for high tech industries the development, the building of it, getting it out is all right here.” Last year was a good year for tech companies, especially in mergers and acquisitions of regional companies, said Benjamin Kuo, founder and editor of SocalTECH.com Venture activity in the region also increased in the last year, especially for early-stage investment, Kuo said. “Start ups are really primed by getting venture capital,” Kuo said. “There are a handful of firms out there raising immense amounts of money in the last six months looking to invest in companies.”