Official figures shared by the studio have revealed that the fourth-quarter earnings of DreamWorksAnimation SKG managed to slip by 16% as the group did not release any new movies. The results have, however, managed to exceed the expectations pegged by analysts.

The studio, based in Glendale, California, posted revenues of $194.2 Million, which is a 2.8% drop compared to the figure of $199.8 Million posted for the previous year's fourth-quarter. Earnings, on the whole, declined to $43.6 Million, or 50 cents per share, a substantial decline when compared to last year's figure of $51.6 Million, or 58 cents s share.

Chief Executive of the company Jeffrey Katzenberg stressed that TV specials like "Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space" and "Merry Madagascar", in addition to DVD sales of "Monsters vs. Aliens", the company's only release in 2009, managed to come together for a "very strong" fourth quarter for the company.

For 2010, DreamWorks is more optimistic, as for the first ever time, DreamWorks will be releasing three animated films in a single year, including the eagerly awaited "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Shrek Forever After", both in
3-D.

"We are really firing on all 12 cylinders. It's the first year in our history that we will have three CG-animated movies in a year-that is by far our biggest driver and what creates the potential for this year to be the blockbuster year for the company", said Mr. Katzenberg.