Manugistics hits targets in 1Q

Manugistics checked in with a first-quarter loss of $1.2 million, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $50.5 million Wednesday, in line with most analysts' estimates.

First Call Corp. consensus pegged the maker of supply chain management software to lose 4 cents a share this time around.

Ahead of the earnings report, Manugistics (Nasdaq: MANU) shares moved up 7/8 to 24 7/8.

The $50.5 million in sales represents a 29 percent improvement from the year-ago quarter when it earned $400,000, or 1 cent a share, on sales of $39.2 million.

In the quarter, Manugistics' licensing sales surged to $26 million, up 98 percent from the $13.1 million it recorded in the year-ago quarter.

"Our continuing aggressive investments in strengthening and growing our sales organization, in marketing initiatives and in technology innovation are paying off with our license fees growing nearly 100 percent from the same quarter last year," said CEO Greg Owens in a prepared release.

Last quarter, Manugistics beat the Street estimate when it posted a loss of $1.1 million, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $43.7 million.

Its shares rallied up to a 52-week high of 70 1/4 in March after falling to a low of 9 1/16 in September.

First Call Corp. expects Manugistics to earn 15 cents a share in the fiscal year.

Eight of the nine analysts following the stock rate it either a "buy" or "strong buy."