Tech Stocks in Motion: Catalyst Semiconductor, Niku

Updated from 12:31 p.m. EST

Shares of Synaptics(SYNA) were among technology's winners Friday, rising 15.8% after the maker of touchpad technology squashed market rumors by confirming that its technology is being used in new versions of Apple Computer's(AAPL) iPod.

The disclosure was made in a regulatory filing early Friday morning. "Yesterday Apple announced several new iPods, and we are confirming that our interface solutions are being used in those products," Synaptics said. During the past several weeks the company had received inquiries from investors and analysts regarding the use of its technology in the Apple iPod, it said. The company said it didn't believe that, in the absence of definitive communications from Apple, it was appropriate to comment on unconfirmed rumors and speculation. Shares traded up $3.32 to $24.33.

Blue Coat Systems(BCSI) fell 17.2% after the company posted third-quarter earnings that were ahead of expectations but provided fourth-quarter earnings guidance that didn't impress investors. The software maker posted third-quarter pro forma earnings of $1.4 million, or 11 cents a share, on sales of $24.7 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 9 cents a share on sales of $24.3 million. Looking ahead, Blue Coat forecast fourth-quarter earnings of $1.2 million to $1.5 million, or 9 cents to 11 cents a share, on sequential sales growth of 6% to 8%. Analysts are expecting earnings of 10 cents a share on sales of $25.2 million, or a sequential improvement of 2%. Shares traded down $3.86 to $18.56.

Shares of Catalyst Semiconductor(CATS) fell 5.2% after the maker of programmable technology products posted third-quarter earnings and sales that fell short of expectations. The company earned $107,000, or 1 cent a share, on sales of $13.7 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 3 cents a share on sales of $15.3 million. A year ago, the company earned $2.4 million, or 12 cents a share, on sales of $16.9 million. Fourth-quarter results, the company said, were hurt by weaker demand for its memory products, which resulted in pricing pressure. As a result, gross margins fell to 38.4%, down from the gross margins it had achieved during the previous four quarters. Shares traded down 26 cents to $4.75.