Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., the diversified media and merchandising company founded by Martha Stewart, announced on Tuesday it reported a quarterly profit which more than doubled compared to that obtained in the same quarter of the past fiscal year.

However, the company missed analyst estimates citing the deferral of revenue from a book deal.

The profit report released by the company also forecasted an economic uncertainty and a said it expects a first-quarter operating loss and a decline in revenue.

The company organized into four business segments: Publishing, Internet and Broadcasting media platforms and Merchandising product lines, said its net profit for the fourth quarter was of $33.3 million, or 63 cents per share, significantly higher than the $16.2 million, or 31 cents per share, reported a year earlier.

Revenue also climbed 22 percent to $118.5 million. Analysts questioned by the Reuters Estimates were expecting revenue of $121.7 million and earnings of 65 cents.

However, the company also said in its statement that the quarterly revenue growth was damaged by a deferral of revenue to the first quarter from the fourth quarter related to its book deal with Clarkson Potter.

"Given the uncertain economic climate, our ability to predict into 2008 is limited, but we believe the business is fundamentally healthy, Chief Financial Officer Howard Hochhauser said in a statement.

The operating loss of the current quarter was estimated by the company to range somewhere between $4 million to $5 million on revenue of $66 million to $67 million.

The full-year operating income will be of $9.5 million to $14.5 million on revenue of $300 million, the New York design and publishing company also forecasted.

"MSO completed its return to profitability in 2007, entering 2008 as a healthier and more diverse business," said Chief Executive Susan Lyne. "Our established brands continue to grow while the results from our newer brands and initiatives show great promise."