Evans & Sutherland predicts losses

Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Nasdaq: ESCC) said Friday it expects to post a second quarter loss of 35 cents a share to 40 cents a share, well below First Call's estimate of a profit of 11 cents a share.

Evans & Sutherland blamed the loss for the quarter ended July 2 on softness in the NT workstation graphics business and contract-timing issues in its simulation sector.

The company also said it expects revenues of $44 million to $47 million, up from $43.6 million in the same quarter last year. New orders are expected to cause a significant increase in backlog, it added. New high-performance products are expected to ship later this year. The company said it has restructured its NT workstation graphics business unit, is cutting costs, and plans to launched an e-commerce sales operation, according to the company's release.

Official results for the quarter will be reported July 15.

Shares in the maker 3D hardware and software closed Thursday at $14, down from a 52-week high of 32 reached in late August just before shares were hammered by a profit warning.

Evans & Sutherland has been volatile. The stock jumped this April after the company landed contracts with Northwest Airlines and Federal Express.