Rocket Fuel Shares Plunge After Wider Quarterly Loss

Shares of Rocket Fuel Inc. plunged in after-hours Thursday after the company reported a $20.5 million loss in the fourth quarter, or a loss of 49 cents a share, compared with a loss of $2.2 million, or 7 cents a share, a year ago. Adjusted for one-time items, Rocket Fuel reported a loss of 18 cents a share for the quarter, compared with earnings of 6 cents a share a year ago. Rocket Fuel reported sales of $139.5 million for the quarter, versus $85.5 million a year ago. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected an adjusted loss of 21 cents on sales of $147 million for the quarter. The company said a stronger dollar dented revenues.