Caldera posts $9 million loss in first public quarter

Caldera Systems posted a second-quarter loss of $9.2 million, or 32 cents a share, on sales of $1.4 million.

Ahead of the earnings report, Caldera (Nasdaq: CALD) shares closed up 1 1/8, or 12 percent, to 10 5/8.

There was no First Call consensus estimate for Caldera this quarter. Zack's Investment Research Inc. pegged it for a loss of 19 cents a share, excluding one-time charges and stock compensation.

The $1.4 million in sales marks a 150 percent jump from the year-ago quarter when it lost $1.8 million, or 11 cents a share, on sales of $544,000.

Caldera shares have plummeted since its auspicious initial public offering in March.

Its shares peaked at 33 in March before falling to a low of 9 earlier this month.

Both analysts following the stock rate it a "buy."