Tech Stocks in Motion

Updated from 1:03 p.m. EDT

Shares of Primus Telecommunications(PRTL) were among the worst-performing technology stocks Friday after the company swung to a second-quarter loss that missed analysts' expectations and warned that third-quarter results would also fall short.

The telecommunications company posted a second-quarter loss of 17 cents a share on sales of $331.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected it to post a profit of 10 cents a share on sales of $347.7 million. A year ago it earned 21 cents a share. Looking ahead, it expects a third-quarter loss of $8 million to $9 million on sales that are flat vs. the just-ended second quarter. Analysts had expected it to post a profit of 12 cents a share on sales of $356.9 million. Shares of Primus Telecommunications traded down $1.70, or 50.8%, to $1.65.

Conexant Systems(CNXT) fell after it reported in-line third-quarter results but warned that fourth-quarter results would fall short of expectations. Excluding items, the networking company earned 2 cents a share on sales of $267.6 million, which matched expectations. Looking ahead, however, it expects fourth-quarter earnings of break-even to 2 cents a share on sales of $250 million to $255 million. Analysts were looking for 3 cents a share on sales of $276 million. Shares of Conexant Systems traded down 30 cents, or 15.9%, to $1.59.

Shares of Sapient(SAPE) rose after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and sales. The technology services firm earned 4 cents a share on sales of $64.5 million. Analysts had expected it to earn 2 cents a share on sales of $61.1 million. A year ago Sapient earned 1 cent a share on sales of $58.9 million. The company said that second-quarter performance was strong in all areas of its business. Shares of Sapient traded up $1.69, or 32%, to $6.97.