
LinkedIn reported a first-quarter loss on Thursday as the online networking service ramped up its investments in projects aimed at attracting more users on the lookout for better jobs and career advice.
Still, the company’s financial results surpassed analysts’ forecasts.
LinkedIn lost $13.3 million, or 11 cents a share, in the first three months of the year, compared with earnings of $22.6 million, or 20 cents a share, a year earlier.
The quarterly loss was LinkedIn’s largest since going public in May 2011. If not for the costs of employee stock compensation and several other expenses,LinkedIn said it would have earned 38 cents a share, exceeding analysts’ estimates of 34 cents a share, according to FactSet.
Revenue rose 46 percent from last year to $473.2 million — about $7 million above analysts’ predictions.