Getty Images: Quite a Day, All Around

Quite a day for Getty Images (GYI), the stock photography house. During the regular session, the stock jumped on news that investment firm Blum Capital Partners had acquired a 5.8% stake in the company and might seek an acquisition of the company or a change in the board or management.

After hours, the stock jumped again, this time on strong fourth quarter results and an upbeat outlook. The company reported revenue of $204 million and pro forma EPS of 66 cents a share; the Street had expected $195.9 million and 56 cents.

For the first quarter, the company sees revenue of $210 million and GAAP EPS of 61 cents a share; the Street is at $210 million, with pro forma EPS of 64 cents; I’d venture to guess that the old Street GAAP number would have been below the new guidance. For the full year, the company sees revenue growth in the mid single digits and EPS at least 1.5x the revenue growth. If you assume 5% revenue growth, you get $847.7 million; the Street sees $839.6 million.

In the regular session, Getty gained $2.14 to $44.40; after hours the stock is up another $2.06 to $46.50.

GYI 1-yr chart