• MongoDB's full-year view came in below consensus, as the company called for slower revenue growth than it has ever shown since going public in 2017.
• Meanwhile, MongoDB is hiring to go after opportunities among big companies, and during the quarter it bought artificial intelligence startup Voyage.

MongoDB shares sank 16% in extended trading Wednesday after the database software maker issued disappointing guidance.

Here's how the company did in the fiscal fourth quarter in comparison with LSEG consensus:

• Earnings per share: $1.28 adjusted vs. 66 cents expected
• Revenue: $548.4 million vs. $519.6 million expected

Revenue increased about 20% from a year ago in the quarter that ended on Jan. 31, according to a statement. The company generated $15.8 million in net income, or 19 cents per share, which factors in stock-based compensation. In the same quarter a year ago, MongoDB had registered a net loss of $55.5 million, or 77 cents per share.

MongoDB added 1,900 customers in the quarter, bringing the total to 54,500. But the company ended the quarter with about $360 million in deferred revenue, below the StreetAccount consensus of $370.4 million.

MongoDB is seeing slower growth than it had hoped for in new applications using its Atlas cloud-based database service, Srdjan Tanjga, MongoDB's interim finance chief, said on a conference call with analysts. Meanwhile, MongoDB is hiring rapidly to pursue more deals with large companies, while pulling back on mid-sized businesses, Tanjga said.

In February, MongoDB acquired artificial intelligence startup Voyage for an undisclosed sum.

"We want to capitalize on a once-in-a-generation opportunity," CEO Dev Ittycheria said.

For the fiscal first quarter, MongoDB called for 63 cents to 67 cents in adjusted earnings per share on $524 million to $529 million in revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG had expected 62 cents of per-share earnings and revenue of $526.8 million.

MongoDB said it expects adjusted earnings per share of $2.44 to $2.62 and revenue of $2.24 billion to $2.28 billion for fiscal 2026. That implies 12.7% revenue growth, which would be the slowest rate at least since the company went public in 2017. Analysts were anticipating $3.34 per share of earnings and $2.32 billion in revenue.

Before Wednesday's after-hours move, MongoDB shares were up 13%, while the S&P 500 was down about 1%.

Correction: In February, MongoDB acquired artificial intelligence startup Voyage. An earlier version misstated the timing.

WATCH: MongoDB shares fall more than 10% as non-gross margins come in lighter-than-expected