Live Nation Posts 4Q Net Loss

Live Nation Inc., the nation’s largest live event and venue management company, said Thursday it narrowed its fourth-quarter loss from a year earlier but posted lower revenue as fewer big-ticket artists staged large tours.

The Los Angeles-based company reported a net loss of $18.4 million, or 25 cents per share, in the quarter ending Dec. 31. That compares to a loss of $33.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter declined about 4 percent to $1 billion, largely because of the decline in lucrative tours compared to the same period a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a loss of 12 cents per share on revenue of about $1.1 billion in the latest period.

The company said operating income swung to $4.2 million from an operating loss of $14.7 million a year earlier.

For the full-year 2007, Live Nation reported a net loss of $11.9 million, or 17 cents per share, versus a net loss of $31.4 million in 2006.

Revenue for the year increased to $4.2 billion from $3.7 billion in 2006.

Live Nation shares rose 13 cents, or about 1 percent, to $12.20. The stock slipped 20 cents in after-hours trading.