MarineMax loses $4.7 million

CLEARWATER — MarineMax Inc. (symbol: HZO) lost $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, a year after bringing in $10.2 million in profits in the comparable quarter. The Clearwater-based boat retailer earned $92.2 million in quarterly revenues, down 8% over the year.

The numbers show a drastic swing in profitability, but the company's 2009 numbers were significantly impacted by a tax benefit carried over from previous losses. Specifically, MarineMax took advantage of a $19.3 million tax benefit at the end of 2009, which turned a $9.1 million loss into a $10.2 million gain.

A struggling economy put pressure on the company's performance in both years, said William McGill, president, chairman and CEO. But one trend in particular bodes well for the company's future.