Cognos forecasts improved revenue

Business software company Cognos Inc. said Thursday it expects third-quarter earnings between 36 cents and 44 cents per share.

On an adjusted basis, the company forecast earnings of 45 cents to 53 cents per share. Cognos expects revenue of $270 million to $285 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial are expecting earnings of 52 cents per share on revenue of $270.8 million.

Last December, Cognos, which is based in Canada but has a US office in Burlington, Mass., reported adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share on revenue of $247.8 million for the third quarter.

For the full year, the company forecast earnings of $1.66 to $1.76 per share, adjusted earnings of $2 to $2.10 per share, and revenue in the range of $1.08 billion to $1.1 billion.

Analysts estimate profit of $2.03 per share on sales of $1.07 billion.

Shares fell $1.05, or 2.5 percent, to $41.40 in after-hours electronic trading. The stock rose 20 cents to $42.45 in the regular trading session. (AP)