Daily-deal site posted stronger than expected revenue but overall losses, due to expenses

Daily-deal site Groupon surprised market-watchers Wednesday, by posting a loss in its first quarterly report since going public in November 2011. Analysts had expected Groupon to report its first profitable quarter since last year's IPO, and while revenue exceeded analyst expectations, Q4 net income was in the red. Groupon shares (GRPN) have subsequently dropped sharply in after-hours trading, over 13% to $21.35 at the time of this article's publication. Groupon posted Q4 net losses of $42.7 million, or 8 cents a share. Losses for the same time the previous year were $378.6 million, or $1.08 a share. Adjusted losses were 2 cents a share, while analyst expectations had Groupon posting 3 cents a share profit. Revenue was up 194% to $506.5 ... [Read more]