Sina predicts 52% revenue growth in 4Q

China’s largest online internet portal Sina Corp said it expects revenue in the fourth quarter to grow by more than 52%, year on year,  to US$98-101 million despite the economic slowdown, the South China Morning Post reported. The Beijing-based company’s third quarter revenues rose 68% to US$105.4 million due to strong performance during the Olympics. Net profit rose by 28% to US 21.96 million. But analysts said next year might be more difficult for Sina as many of the firm’s advertisers are in the automotive, property and financial services sectors, all of which have been hit by the current crisis. Among internet sectors, some see online gaming as the last to be affected by an economic slowdown.