What: Shares of Ruckus Wireless (RKUS +0.00%) were up 15.1% as of 11:15 a.m. ET Wednesday after the mobile wireless infrastructure company reported strong fourth-quarter 2015 results.
So what: Quarterly revenue climbed 16.6% year over year to $100.1 million, and translated to a slight decline in GAAP net income to $2.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. On an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis -- which adds perspective by excluding items like stock-based compensation acquisitions expenses -- Ruckus Wireless' operating margin came in at 14%, and net income rose 15.7% year over year to $13.4 million, or $0.13 per share.
Analysts, on average, were anticipating roughly the same adjusted earnings per share on slightly higher revenue of $101.9 million.
CEO Selina Lo explained, "Our fourth quarter revenue was affected by a multi-million dollar E-rate opportunity that was postponed late in the quarter. Nevertheless, we achieved non-GAAP operating margin at the high-end of guidance, demonstrating strong operating execution."
Now what: Lo also voiced her belief that Ruckus Wireless' "strategy remains sound and our product portfolio differentiated, keeping Ruckus in a position to outgrow the market again in 2016."
Better yet, Ruckus aims to grow earnings faster than revenue through continued expansion of operating margin through the year. In the meantime, it anticipates first-quarter 2016 revenue of $96 million to $101 million, with operating margin of 8.5% to 11% and adjusted earnings per share of $0.08 to $0.10. These ranges are roughly in line with analysts' consensus estimates, which called for revenue of $99.3 million and earnings of $0.09 per share.
In any case, investors are right to be encouraged that Ruckus was able to drive solid top-line growth despite the delay in the aforementioned multimillion-dollar opportunity. Given Ruckus Wireless' goal of continuing to drive revenue growth while also expanding operating margin to help earnings climb even faster -- and with shares still trading at a reasonable 16 times this year's estimated earnings -- I see no reason this stock won't continue to rise if it can sustain this momentum in the coming quarters.
