Jeeves still searching for profit

NEWS The online search company reported losses for Q4 2000 totalling $62.0m, compared with a net loss of $23.7m for the same period last year. Ask Jeeves, which provides Internet search services to consumers and corporate clients alike, said its revenue rose to $23m in the quarter ending Dec. 31, up from $10.9m a year earlier. The firm laid off 180 full-time employees in December. Commenting on the results for the quarter, CEO Skip Battle said in a statement: "We are disappointed with our fourth quarter results, which did not meet our previous expectations due to weaker than anticipated online shopping during December." Battle added: "We've taken a conservative stance with regard to recording revenue from our dot-com customers." The firm was still forecasting profitability, but said it will be affected by softened advertising and IT markets in the opening half of the year.