Hadoop heavyweight Hortonworks Inc. posted its third quarter financials late on Wednesday, reporting adjusted earnings per share of negative $0.74 and revenues of $33.1 million. That performance beat analysts expectations of negative $0.83 per share and revenues of $30.69 million.

Hortonworks shares were up several points in after-hours trading on the news.

The company’s revenues for the quarter amounted to 159 percent growth compared to the same quarter last year, but that growth came at a cost, as the company noted in its press release.

“Operating Loss: GAAP operating loss for the third quarter totaled $44.4 million, compared to a loss of $37.4 million during the third quarter last year. Non-GAAP operating loss for the third quarter was $32.5 million, compared to a loss of $31.1 million for the same period last year.”

That $44.4 million is still a sizable loss of course, but the company reassured investors that its revenue growth shows it’s heading in the right direction.

Hortonworks CEO and chairman Rob Bearden said in the call that he was “pleased” with the company’s overall performance in the quarter. He cited solid customer momentum and significant growth in support subscription revenues as the two factors putting a smile on his face.

Not only did Hortonworks beat analyst expectations it also posted stronger Q4 revenue guidance than expected. The firm says it’s hoping to attain revenues of between $32 million and $34 million for the next quarter, versus the analysts’ consensus of $32.2 million.

Hortonworks also issued guidance for its fiscal 2015, saying it sees revenues hitting between $118.6 million and $120.6 million, ahead of analysts’ expected $117.37 million.

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