Cardtronics Falls Into TheRed

HOUSTOn - (02/23/06) -- Cardtronics, operator of thenation's largest fleet of ATMs, reported a loss Wednesday for itsfourth quarter of $900,000 , even as revenues were rising 13% to$70 million for the quarter, compared to the same period in 2004.Among the reasons was the roll-out of ATMs in CVS and Walgreensstores, which are in the process of ramping up to profitability,the company said. As a result, the privately held company reporteda 75% drop in fiscal year earnings to $947,000, compared to 2004,even as revenues were rising 40% to $268 million. Among the fourthquarter highlights was the acquisition of ATM National and itsAllpoint surcharge-free network, popular with credit unions.Cardtronics operates more than 26,000 ATMs across the nation, mostof them available to credit unions members via Allpoint or TheCredit Union 24 network.