BladeLogic forecasts loss

BladeLogic Inc., a provider of data center automation software, forecast a second-quarter loss on Wednesday, and said increased investments in sales during the second half of 2008 will hurt full-year results.

BladeLogic shares plunged $2.75, or 15.5 percent, to $15 in after-hours trading and fell 48 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $17.75 during the regular session. The stock has traded between $16.70 and $31.71 since the company's initial public offering priced at $17 in late July.

For the second-quarter, BladeLogic expects loss in the range of 5 cents to 6 cents per share. Excluding stock-based compensation and one-time charges, the company predicts adjusted earnings per share in the range of 1 cent to 2 cents.

BladeLogic expects second-quarter revenue between $20 million and $21 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who typically exclude one-time items, forecast second-quarter earnings of 3 cents per share on revenue of $20.2 million.

BladeLogic Chief Financial Officer John Gavin said that the company plans to accelerate investments in its sales organization during the second half of the year, which will contribute to a full-year loss.

For the full fiscal year, BladeLogic expects loss in the range of 8 cents to 12 cents per share. On an adjusted basis, the company expects profit of 8 cents to 12 cents per share for the year.

The company expects 2008 revenue between $86 million and $90 million

Analysts forecast full-year earnings of 17 cents per share on revenue of $87.7 million.

Also Wednesday, BladeLogic said first-quarter loss widened as rising operating expenses, particularly sales and marketing costs, outpaced revenue growth. (AP)