Net Perceptions to miss 3Q forecasts

Net Perceptions (Nasdaq: NETP) could lose more than twice as much as analysts predicted in the third quarter.

After market close Thursday, the vendor of online personalization and merchandising technology said it expects to report a loss ranging between 22 cents and 32 cents per share, excluding amortization. First Call's survey of eight analysts predicted a loss of 13 cents per share for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

Shares of Net Perceptions plunged to 8.74 in afterhours activity on the Island electronic communications network, following the announcement. Net Perceptions stock closed Thursday's regular trading at 12.5, down 0.375 for the session.

Revenue will range between $6 million and $9 million, Net Perceptions said. That would be down from the second quarter, when the company lost 15 cents per share, not counting amortization, on revenue of $12.4 million.

The e-commerce industry has changed. Several observers have said the failures of dot-com businesses could have ripple effects throughout the market.

"We are committed to aggressively addressing the new realities of the marketplace in order to get our business plan back on track," said Steven Snyder, president and CEO.>