By Will Feuer
Gartner posted lower fourth-quarter earnings, hit by rising costs and a slowdown in the company’s consulting business.
The research company, which also hosts information technology-focused conferences, posted a fourth-quarter profit of $209 million, or $2.64 a share, down from $257 million, or $3.21 a share, in the same period a year earlier.
Stripping out one-time items, adjusted earnings were $3.04 a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $2.83 a share.
Revenue rose 5% to $1.59 billion, matching analysts’ estimates, according to FactSet. Costs rose almost 10% to $1.28 billion.
Research revenue rose about 6%, while revenue from conferences climbed 14%. Gartner’s consulting unit posted revenue of $128 million, down about 7%.
Write to Will Feuer at Will.Feuer@wsj.com