The company, which has gradually evolved from an online advertising business to one focused on e-mail promotions and other kinds of marketing technologies, reported a net loss of $62 million, or 46 cents per share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $103.5 million, or 77 cents per share.

On a pro forma basis, excluding unusual costs, the company said it earned five cents per share.

DoubleClick also said its sales fell to $74.6 million from $92.7 million.

The company, which has carefully controlled expenses to conserve cash, said it is expecting to report a pro forma profit this year. It forecast fourth quarter earnings per share in the range of a loss of one cent to a profit of one cent, and said revenues would be between $62 million and $66 million.

During a conference call with analysts after earnings were reported, DoubleClick Chief Executive Kevin Ryan said the company remains conservative in its expectations for revenue growth.