Marketing company ValueClick Inc.’s profit rose in the fourth quarter, beating analyst estimates, the company reported Wednesday. The Westlake Village digital marketing company reported an adjusted net profit of $42.8 million (56 cents a share) compared to $37.9 million (46 cents) for the same period a year earlier. Revenue increased 14 percent to $200 million. On average, analysts expected profits of 52 cents a share, according to a survey by Thomson/First Call. For the full year 2012, the company reported profit of $130 million ($1.65 cent a share), compared to $120 million ($1.47) for the previous year. “We are seeing the early results of our initiatives to elevate our conversations with advertisers to become a more strategic and persistent marketing partner, while also executing on our goals of strong organic growth and profitability,” said Chief Executive John Giuliani in a statement. “We expect 2013 to be a watershed year for ValueClick.” During the quarter, the company repurchased 113,000 shares of common stock for $2 million. Shares of ValueClick closed at $21.83 on the Nasdaq.
