Marvel's revenue up, profit down

Reuters reports that Marvel Enterprises' third-quarter profit fell because of taxes, but revenue rose 60 percent, largely due to licensing:

"Third-quarter net profit fell to $34.4 million, or 30 cents per share, from $63.2 million, or 57 cents per share, in the year-earlier period, when it had a tax benefit of $24.3 million. Revenue rose to $135 million from $84.5 million. ...

"... Looking forward, Marvel said it raised its outlook for 2004 full-year sales to a range of $490 million to $500 million, from its prior range of $448 million to $468 million. It also raised its outlook for operating income to a range of $215 million to $218 million, from a prior range of $195 million to $205 million."

A more detailed breakdown notes that the publishing division's net sales rose 15 percent to $22.6 million, while sales of the toy division -- not to be confused with Joy Division -- jumped 84 percent to $43.4 million from the prior-year period, mostly because of Spider-Man 2 action figures and accessories.

For those interested in the film and television end of things, there's the usual accounting of release schedules and properties that are in development. (Scott take special notice: A Brother Voodoo live-action TV project apparently is in development.)