Monster Worldwide, the parent company of online recruitment site Monster.com, swung into profit in its fourth financial quarter, boosted by strong increases in revenue and profit in its online division.

Total sales for the quarter increased 3.9% to $170.8m from $164.4m for the same quarter in 2002. Monster.com’s sales rose by 9.7% over the same period. For the 2003 financial year to 31 December, Monster’s total sales declined by 3% compared to 2002, but Monster.com recorded an increase of 2.4% – the only division reporting an increase in sales.

Commenting on the group’s performance, chairman and chief executive Andrew McKelvey said: “Our fourth quarter performance, particularly in our Monster division, shows that our focus to drive revenue is working.”