Moody’s Profit Tanks (MCO)

Rating agency Moody’s Corp. (NYSE: MCO) this morning reported fourth-quarter EPS of $0.43, down from $0.58 a year ago and below the consensus estimate of $0.48.

Concerning 2012, Moody’s had this to say:

[T]he Company expects full-year 2012 revenue to grow in the high-single to low-double-digit percent range. Full-year 2012 expenses are also projected to increase in the high-single to low-double-digit percent range. Full-year 2012 operating margin is projected to be approximately 39 percent. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 33 percent. The Company expects diluted earnings per share for full-year 2012 in the range of $2.62 to $2.72.

The previous consensus estimate for 2012 EPS was $2.63.