Orasure Technologies (OSUR) has reported 55.89 percent jump in profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. The company has earned $7.20 million, or $0.13 a share in the quarter, compared with $4.62 million, or $0.08 a share for the same period last year.     

Revenue during the quarter grew 9.63 percent to $35.50 million from $32.38 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 24 basis points over the previous year period to 67.48 percent. Total expenses were 80.08 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 87.36 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 729 basis points in operating margin to 19.92 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $7.07 million, compared with $4.09 million in the previous year period.

"Our fourth quarter financial results exceeded expectations on the top and bottom lines," said Douglas A. Michels, president and chief executive officer of OraSure Technologies. "A major contributor to growth during both the quarter and full-year period was our international business. Expanding international sales of our HIV self-test and HCV product is a critical component of OraSure’s global growth strategy."

For the first-quarter, Orasure Technologies expects revenue to be in the range of $31 million to $31.50 million. The company projects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.17 to $0.18.