Cognos Climbs Back From Year's SlumpCognos Climbs Back From Year's Slump

Business-intelligence software maker Cognos Inc. (COGN--Nasdaq) last week reported flat third-quarter sales and profit. Its $13.3 million net income on revenue of $124.2 million is essentially unchanged from the $13.6 million in profit and $124.6 million in sales a year ago. But Cognos is bouncing back a bit from the near-term slump: Revenue is up 6.4% from the second quarter.

Cognos' license revenue increased 17%, compared with the second quarter, to $56.5 million, and support revenue was up 6% to $37.5 million. Cognos inked six deals in the quarter ended Nov. 30 valued at more than $1 million each. CEO Ron Zambonini says economic conditions have "left no business untouched," but he predicts continued growth in the fourth quarter."