SAO PAULO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Brazilian brokerage and

investment platform XP reported a 16% rise in its fourth-quarter

adjusted net income, compared to the year-ago period, totaling

1.21 billion reais ($212.86 million), according to a company

filing released on Tuesday.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

U.S.-listed XP is one of the largest brokers in

Brazil. It also operates as an investment firm and as a

financial adviser to its clients.

BY THE NUMBERS

XP reported net revenue of 4.49 billion reais in the

fourth quarter, 11% higher than the same period a year earlier

and slightly above the 4.45 billion reais expected by analysts.

Its earnings before taxes (EBT) came in at 1.29 billion

reais, up 30% year-on-year.

Last year, XP saw revenues grow by 15%, reaching $18

billion reais, while its adjusted profit grew by 17% to total

$4.5 billion reais.

KEY QUOTES

"We believe that next year will provide another

opportunity to demonstrate the counter-cyclical strength of our

business

model," said XP in a statement, citing higher interest

rates.

"Additionally, we anticipate another strong year for

fixed

income, along with further market share expansion in

strategic segments such as DCM," the statement added, referring

to debt capital markets.