Yahoo is continuing to prepare for its acquisition by Verizon and taking "deep responsibility" in protecting users, as a massive hacking looms over the deal. "In addition to our continued efforts to strengthen our business, we are busy preparing for integration with Verizon," CEO Marissa Mayer said in the company's earnings release. "We remain very confident, not only in the value of our business, but also in the value Yahoo products bring to our users' lives."



Marissa Mayer Getty Images

The comments came as the company on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings that topped analysts' expectations and revenue that met estimates. Yahoo shares rose about 1.5 percent after hours, while Verizon stock was up slightly. Verizon agreed in July to buy Yahoo for $4.8 billion, after Yahoo struggled to adopt "strategic alternatives" for many months amid scrutiny from activist investors. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017, subject to approval by Yahoo shareholders and regulators. But an extensive data breach at the company could have a material impact on the deal, Verizon's general counsel told Reuters last week. A source told CNBC that Verizon is anxious to get more information so it knows what asset it is buying. Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yahoo revealed in September that the information of 500 million user accounts was stolen in late 2014, likely by a state actor. But the company showed that the number of messages sent and received on Yahoo mail actually ticked up after the notification of the breach.

Chart from Yahoo filings Chart from Yahoo filings "We take deep responsibility in protecting our users and the security of their information," Mayer said in Tuesday's earnings release. "We're working hard to retain their trust and are heartened by their continued loyalty as seen in our user engagement trends." The internet technology and media company posted third-quarter earnings per share of 20 cents, adjusted, on revenue of $1.31 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected Yahoo to report earnings of about 14 cents a share on $1.31 billion in revenue. The results were up slightly from 15 cents per share on $1.27 billion in revenue in the year-ago period.

The company said in July it was expecting third-quarter revenue of $1.275 billion to $1.325 billion on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis.