Weight Watchers (WTW) Blows it Out, Share Soar Over 37 Percent

Shares of Weight Watchers (NYSE:WTW) were up over 37 percent as the company after strong results in the fourth quarter and earnings guidance for the full year exceeding analysts' expectations.

Revenue in the quarter jumped to $356.7 million, a gain of 15.6 percent. Analysts were looking for revenue of $318.91 million.

Earnings were far above consensus as well, coming in at 64 cents a share, 9 cents over the 55 cents a share analysts projected.

What shocked analysts and the impetus behind the surge in the share price of the stock was full-year 2001 earnings guidance, which was from a range of $3.50-$3.85 a share, far above the $2.77 estimated by analysts.

David Kirchhoff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Weight Watchers said, "Looking at 2011, we are seeing terrific enrollment volumes in our North American and UK meeting businesses and further strengthening in our WeightWatchers.com business. We are providing a 2011 earnings guidance range of between $3.50 and $3.85 per fully diluted share."

Weight Watchers was trading at $61.80, gaining $16.88, or 37.58 percent, as of 11:15 AM EST.