Autodesk Inc has reported a fourth-quarter loss of $105.3 million based on falling sales and an impairment charge related to its media and entertainment business.

In the same period last year it made a net profit of $96.5 million.

Revenue was $489.8 million, down from $599 million but the company expects to at least break even in first quarter of its new financial year. Autodesk said this would be achieved by expanding into new markets and reducing costs.

For fiscal 2009, revenue was $2.315 billion, an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year.

"We have much to be proud of in fiscal 2009, including achieving record annual revenue results, expanding our market presence into new territories, and adding several new and exciting technologies to our portfolio of world-class products," said Carl Bass, Autodesk president and chief executive.

"While the global economic conditions in the first and second half of fiscal 2009 were very divergent, we are taking actions to reduce our cost structure to better fit the realities of today's economic conditions. Our strong market position and best-in-class products give us confidence that Autodesk will emerge from this downturn better positioned and more operationally efficient."

Autodesk last month unveiled a restructuring plan to save more than £100 million starting in 2010. The plan includes cutting 750 jobs.

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