UPDATE 1-MDA says preliminary profit rose in fourth quarter

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TORONTO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Real estate data provider MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA.TO) reported a preliminary fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday that rose with higher revenue and despite a stronger Canadian dollar.

The company, which is selling its space robotics and data-processing business to U.S.-based Alliant Techsystems Inc (ATK.N) for $1.33 billion, said it earned C$30 million, or 70 Canadian cents per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31. That was up from a profit of C$22 million, or 51 Canadian cents per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue moved higher to C$294 million from C$288 million a year earlier, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based company said.

Analysts expected MDA to earn 54 Canadian cents a share before one-time items on revenue of C$304.7 million.

The company said its audited results will come out on March 26.

Earlier on Tuesday, MDA said it was buying a number of real-estate services assets in the United States from TransUnion LLC for an undisclosed amount.

MDA said the purchase includes tools and technology for collateral valuation, property search, mortgage credit, closing and flood compliance. The acquired businesses have about $130 million in annual revenue and about 450 employees.

MDA released its preliminary results after markets closed. Its shares fell 2 Canadian cents to finish at C$46.88 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

($1=$0.98 Canadian) (Reporting by Wojtek Dabrowski; Editing by Peter Galloway)