Equity Movers: Dell, US Interactive, Engage
Dell, US Interactive, Internet Capital, Audiovox, Best Buy, Engage Technologies, Digital Island, Lernout & Hauspie and 24/7 Media are among the companies expected to move in the markets Wednesday.
Dell Computer (DELL): The computer maker is expected to meet or exceed revised third-quarter earnings estimates. Analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial expect the company to earn 25 cents per share. Shares of Dell fell $2.03, or about 6 percent, to $28.28.
US Interactive (USIT): The Internet professional services company posted a wider-than-expected third-quarter operating loss and said it plans to lay off about 28 percent of its work force. Shares of US Interactive fell 25 cents, or 21 percent, to 94 cents.
Internet Capital Group (ICGE): The company that invests in e-commerce start-ups said it's cutting 50 jobs, or 35 percent of its work force, and will take a fourth-quarter charge of $25 million to $30 million related to the cuts. Shares of Internet Capital fell $5.06, or 31 percent, to $11.19.
Audiovox (VOXX): The cell phone supplier warned that its earnings will be 44 cents to 47 cents a share for the fourth quarter ending Nov. 30. During the same period last year, the company earned 56 cents per share. Shares of Audivox fell $2.13, or about 16 percent, to $10.63.
Best Buy (BBY): The seller of consumer electronics warned that its profit for the fiscal third and fourth quarters will fall below analyst expectations because of a slower economy and price cuts stemming from competition. The company said it expects to earn 27 cents per share, compared with analyst estimates of 44 cents per share. Shares of Best Buy fell $2, or about 15 percent, to $10.75.
Engage Technologies (ENGA): The Internet advertising company backed by venture firm CMGI warned it will lose as much as 25 cents per share in its fiscal first quarter. It was expected to lose 20 cents per share, according to analysts polled by First Call. The company also said CEO Paul Schaut will resign. Shares of Engage fell $1.28, or almost 37 percent, to $2.19.
Digital Island (ISLD): The maker of software that speeds transmission of audio and video on the Internet said it had a loss of $1.60 per share in the quarter ended Sept. 30, less than the $1.69 forecast of analysts polled by First Call. Shares of Digital Island fell 50 cents, or about 4 percent, to $10.81.
Lernout & Hauspie (LHSP): The maker of speech-recognition software said its co-founders will give up their executive roles following accounting errors. The company also said third-quarter revenue will be at least $40 million below previous targets, which were in the range of $165 million to $185 million. Shares of Lernout & Hauspie were unchanged at $6.22.
24/7 Media (TFSM): The Internet advertising company reported a wider-than-expected third-quarter loss and said it will cut 200 jobs. The company Wednesday reported a net loss of 59 cents per share, compared with 37 cents in the same period last year. Analysts polled by First Call expected the company to earn 47 cents per share. Shares of 24/7 Media fell $1, or about 21 percent, to $3.63.