OSLO (Thomson Financial) - Norwegian video conferencing group Tandberg reported fourth quarter pretax profit of 46.9 mln usd, slightly up on market expectations of 45.2 mln usd.

Sales came in at 192.9 mln usd compared with market consensus of 195.7 mln usd as the company shifted 16,787 units.

The group said its profit line was boosted by continued strong demand from its core markets.

'Video is becoming a natural, integral part of communication for leading organisations,' said CEO Fredrik Halvorsen in a statement.

'Tandberg's solid growth in the fourth quarter reflects the increasing adoption of video.'

Operating profit came in at 44.9 mln usd - up on 31.5 mln usd for the preceeding Q4 - and cash flow from operations totalled 49.9 mln usd, a result the company said was driven by continued strong working capital management.

Gross margins for the quarter was 66.2 pct, holding up well and comparing with the 66.6 pct for the same period the previous year.