Tekelec beats expectations

Despite the global financial meltdown, Tekelec reported another strong quarter Monday, beating analyst expectations and raising its financial guidance for the rest of the year.

The Morrisville telecommunications equipment company reported an 8 percent boost in revenue from continuing operations in the third quarter, up to $106 million. Per share earnings were 19 cents, beating the Wall Street consensus of 16 cents.

But Tekelec executives warned the company could be in for a few rough quarters next year if global telecommunications operators have trouble borrowing capital to buy Tekelec equipment. Tekelec is the global leader in software that manages phone calls on complex networks and also lets customers keep their phone numbers when changing cell phones.

Tekelec CFO Bill Everett said the company's business continues to benefit from growing voice and data traffic over phone networks.

Tekelec's roster of 300-some customers spans 68 countries. Big clients include AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

The company released its third-quarter earnings after close of market trading. Tekelec's stock fell 49 cents during the day, down to $12.20 per share. This year the stock is down about $5 per share after peaking this summer.

The company employs about 1,000 people worldwide, including about 675 in Morrisville.