WATERLOO – Stockings around the world were stuffed with BlackBerrys, Research In Motion said this morning.
The smart phone manufacturer provided an update on forecasted net subscriber account additions for the fiscal fourth quarter ending March 1, 2008, saying it now expects net subscriber account additions for Q4 to be approximately 15-20% higher than the 1.82 million net subscriber account additions forecasted by RIM on December 20, 2007.
The total BlackBerry subscriber account base is expected to be approximately 14 million at the end of the quarter.
"BlackBerry smart phones proved to be a big hit throughout the holiday selling season and we’re pleased to see RIM’s business momentum continuing in the new year," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, in a press release. "The seasonal slowdown in net subscriber account additions that we expected in the new year did not occur and our focused execution with partners has continued to produce strong results within both enterprise and consumer segments."
RIM continues to expect Q4 revenue and earnings per share to be within the ranges previously forecast in December. Revenue for the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of $1.8 – $1.87 billion. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.66 – $0.70 per share diluted.
RIM will report actual Q4 financial results, including actual net subscriber account additions, and hold its quarterly and year end results conference call, on April 2, 2008.
