Coinstar Reports Q4 EPS of $.68 vs. $.68

Coinstar, Inc. CSTR today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010. Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $43.2 million, resulting in an operating margin of 11%, including $3.1 million in share-based payments expense related to the company's agreements with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Sony) and Paramount Home Entertainment Inc. This compares with income from operations of $29.7 million and an operating margin of 10% in the fourth quarter of 2009, which included $0.3 million in share-based payments expense related to the Sony agreement. Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $22.4 million, with diluted earnings per share of $0.68, compared with $11.6 million, and $0.37, in the fourth quarter of 2009. Coinstar recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $10.7 million, net of tax, or a loss of $0.33 per share, in the fourth quarter. Net income attributable to Coinstar, Inc. for the fourth quarter of 2010, which includes both continuing and discontinued operations, was $11.7 million, with diluted earnings per share of $0.35. This compares with $3.4 million, and $0.11, in the fourth quarter of 2009.