LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -

Significant year-over-year gains in revenue and income during the third quarter prompted DealerTrack Holdings to raise its 2011 financial performance guidance.

This week, DealerTrack revealed its third-quarter revenue came in at $95.8 million as compared to $63.1 million a year earlier.

As a result, the company’s third-quarter GAAP net income settled at $5.4 million, up from $1.2 million for the third quarter of last year. Its diluted GAAP net income per share also rose year-over-year during the third quarter, climbing from 3 cents to 13 cents.

Looking at DealerTrack’s third-quarter non-GAAP results, each category jumped year-over year, including:

—Adjusted EBITDA up to $23.0 million from $12.9 million.
—Adjusted net income up to $14.7 million from $6.6 million.
—Diluted adjusted net income per share up to 34 cents from 16 cents.

Taking a look at performance through the first nine months of this year, DealerTrack highlighted several more year-over-year gains, beginning first with GAAP results:

—Revenue up to $262.0 million from $181.8 million.
—Net income up to $32.3 million from a net loss of $1.4 million.
—Diluted GAAP net income per share up to 76 cents from a net loss of 3 cents per share.

The company pointed out this year’s GAAP net income has been positively impacted by a $22.4 million or 53 cents per share, non-cash reduction in the valuation allowance against its net U.S. deferred tax assets.

And through nine months, DealerTrack’s non-GAAP results were:

—Adjusted EBITDA up to $57.0 million from $27.6 million.
—Adjusted net income up to $33.2 million from $13.7 million.
—Diluted adjusted net income per share up to 78 cents from 33 cents.

Update on Guidance for 2011 Performance

As mentioned, DealerTrack raised revenue and both GAAP and non-GAAP earnings guidance for the full year 2011.

The company’s expected GAAP results now are:

—Revenue for the year is expected to be between $344.0 million and $347.0 million, compared to the previous estimate of between $336.0 million and $340.0 million.
—GAAP net income for the year is projected to be between $65.0 million and $67.0 million, compared to the previous estimate of between $24.5 and $27.0 million.
—Diluted GAAP net income per share for the year is expected to be between $1.53 and $1.58, compared to the previous estimate of between $0.57 and $0.63. 

Officials acknowledged the revised GAAP earnings guidance reflects an expected pre-tax gain of approximately $47.5 million ($28.8 million net of tax or 68 cents per share) to be recognized in the fourth quarter related to the sale of DealerTrack’s wholly owned subsidiary ALG. 

Looking at expected non-GAAP results, the company indicated:

—Adjusted EBITDA for the year is expected to be between $72.0 million and $75.0 million, compared to the previous estimate of between $66.0 million and $70.0 million.
—Adjusted net income for the year is projected to be between $40.0 million and $42.0 million, compared to the previous estimate of between $34.5 million and $37.0 million.
—Diluted adjusted net income per share for the year is expected to be between 94 cents and 99 cents compared to the previous estimate of between 81 cents and 86 cents.

DealerTrack reiterated diluted GAAP net income and adjusted net income per share guidance for the year are based on an assumed 42.4 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding, compared to a previous estimate of 42.8 million shares.

Officials indicated the guidance assumes that new-vehicle sales will be approximately 12.8 million units, and used-vehicle sales will be approximately 13.8 million units for the year.  The sales assumptions are unchanged from DealerTrack’s prior estimates.

The company added the revised guidance implies an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 21 percent for the full year, up from approximately 20 percent.

In wrapping up the financial update,  DealerTrack chairman and chief executive officer Mark O’Neil commented, “We are very pleased with our record revenue and non-GAAP earnings results for the third quarter as our transaction businesses continue to benefit from the improvement in auto credit availability, an increase in car sales year over year, the addition of new lenders to our network and the performance of DealerTrack Processing Solutions.  Additionally, our subscription business benefitted from our recent eCarlist acquisition.”