Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. PLTR,
Tuesday dropped 6.3% in premarket trading after the data integration and software company reported a surprising loss in the fourth quarter, although sales rose more than expected. The company reported a net loss that fell to $ 148.3 million, or 8 cents a share, from $ 159.3 million, or 29 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. The company said its losses included $ 241.8 million in stock-based compensation and $ 18.9 million in employer payroll taxes. FactSet’s consensus was a profit of 2 cents per share. Revenue increased 40.4% to $ 322.1 million, surpassing the FactSet consensus of $ 300.7 million. Palantir expects sales growth in the first quarter of 45% and sales growth in 2021 of “more than” 30%. FactSet’s consensus for revenue of $ 1.41 billion by 2021 implies a 29% growth. Palantir’s stock has doubled (up 100.3%) in the past three months through Friday, while the S&P 500 SPX,
has gained 8.5%.