Stocks in Motion: THQ

Updated from 12:06 p.m. EDT

Shares of American Power Conversion (APCC Quote) were among the Nasdaq's losers Friday after the company posted weaker-than-expected second-quarter results and warned that second-half sales would face difficult year-over-year comparisons.

The maker of power-protection systems posted a second-quarter profit of 13 cents a share, down from 17 cents a year ago. Sales climbed to $395.7 million, from $331.5 million a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected earnings of 19 cents a share on sales of $375.7 million. Looking forward, American Power said that "it is important to recognize that the year-over-year revenue growth rate for the second half of 2003 was 19%," making for "difficult comparisons" during the rest of 2004. Shares traded down $2.35, or 13.5%, to $15.10.

THQ(THQI Quote) fell after it reported in-line first-quarter earnings results but warned that second-quarter results would fall short of expectations. The video-game maker reported a loss of 10 cents a share in the first quarter on sales of $88.2 million. Analysts had expected a loss of 10 cents a share on sales of $86.6 million. Looking ahead, the company expects a third-quarter loss of 20 cents a share on sales of $82 million.

Analysts were expecting a profit of 6 cents a share on sales of $128.4 million. THQ said the second-quarter shortfall would be made up during the second half of the year, when the company launches several game titles during the holidays. As such, THQ revised its full-year guidance to earnings of $1.10 a share on sales of about $680 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of $1.07 a share on sales of $682.6 million. Shares of THQ traded down $1.35, or 6.6%, to $19.05.

Shares of Pope & Talbot(POP Quote) rose after the company posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and sales. The pulp and wood products company earned 58 cents a share on sales of $193.6 million. Analysts had expected it to earn 25 cents a share on sales of $174.4 million. The second-quarter results were driven by market-price increases in its pulp and lumber products. Shares of Pope & Talbot traded up 71 cents, or 3.8%, to $19.62.