The New York Times Co. posted more than triple fourth-quarter earnings, benefitted by one-time gains. Print advertising fell 20%, but the decline was smaller than those seen earlier in 2009.

It is reported a 15% slip in the total ad revenue as the print decline was partly offset by 11% climb in digital advertising. The media company revealed it hopes unceasing print-ad stabilization in the first quarter with digital ads in line with the latest quarter.

The company registered a profit of $90.9 million, or 61 cents a share, raised from $27.6 million, or 19 cents a share, the previous year. Excluding items such as the pension and radio-station gain in the latest quarter and prior-year write-downs, earnings from continuing operations rose to 44 cents from 36 cents.

While, the firm claimed its revenue to decrease by 12% to $681.2 million, however, that was an improvement from a 17% drop in the third quarter.

The company performance exceeded Wall Street expectations. Also, the analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently forecast earnings of 38 cents on revenue of $653 million.

Its shares rose 6 percent in premarket trading.