Sotheby’s will have it’s earnings call this morning. Here are some of the numbers they released in advance:

Sotheby’s reported 2014 Adjusted Operating Income* of $267.9 million, representing a $44 million (20%) improvement over the prior year, reflecting the continued strength of the global art market along with the benefit of management’s cost reduction initiatives. On an after-tax basis, Sotheby’s 2014 Adjusted Net Income* is $142.4 million, an $11.6 million (9%) increase, as the improvement in operating income is partially offset by an increase in Sotheby’s effective income tax rate from 30% to 39% in 2014. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share* in 2014 is $2.03.

Including charges associated with shareholder activism, restructuring and CEO transition, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for 2014 are $226.0 million, $117.8 million and $1.68, respectively.

• Sotheby’s auction sales increased 19% in 2014 compared to the prior year.

• Worldwide Auction Sales reached $6.1 Billion – highest total ever.

• More than one-third of selling categories achieved record totals

• One-third of the buyers in Sotheby’s worldwide sales were new to Sotheby’s, accounting for almost one-fifth of global sales.

• The Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon achieved $218 million, the highest total ever for a single owner sale at Sotheby’s.

• Greater Chinese clients purchased more than $1 billion across worldwide sales rooms.

Record Totals Achieved in 14 Categories, representing one-third of the categories in which Sotheby’s sells, including:

• Contemporary Art: $1.7 billion, up 20.3%.

• Impressionist & Modern Art: $1.4 billion, up 26.7%.

• Jewelry: $602.5 million, up 13.8%.

• Watches: $107.2 million, up 10.9%.

DRAMATIC GROWTH IN ONLINE BIDDING AND BUYING

• Nearly 25% more buyers online in 2014 compared to prior year.

• Ten lots sold for more than $500,000 to online bidders across categories and salerooms.

• Nearly 20% increase in new bidders online in 2014 compared to prior year.

• The Collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon: Interiors saw significant online participation – 71% of lots had bids placed online and nearly 30% of the buyers were online; the Picasso Ceramics sale had 75% of the lots with online bids.