Today's Tech Winners and Losers

Shares of TriZetto(TZIX Quote) were among technology's winners Friday, jumping 17% after the health information-technology company posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results.

The company earned $6.3 million, or 14 cents a share, on sales of $74.8 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings of 9 cents a share and sales of $72.9 million. During the year-earlier quarter, the company earned $6.4 million, or 13 cents a share, on sales of $74.3 million.

Looking ahead, TriZetto sees first-quarter earnings of 11 cents to 14 cents a share, including stock-based compensation costs, on sales of $77 million to $81 million. Two analysts have an average projection for earnings of 14 cents a share and sales of $77 million. For all of 2006, the company sees earnings of 52 cents to 60 cents a share, including 10 cents to 14 cents a share in stock-based compensation costs. The company predicts full-year sales of $315 million to $330 million. Shares were trading up $2.88 to $19.54.

Quality Systems(QSII Quote) slumped 11% after the software company posted third-quarter results that were below expectations. The company earned $4.8 million, or 35 cents a share, with sales of $26.8 million. Analysts expected earnings of 45 cents a share and sales of $31.3 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31. During the year-earlier quarter, the company earned $4.2 million, or 32 cents a share, on sales of $22.1 million. Shares were trading down $8.70 to $71.15.

Shares of McAfee(MFE Quote) climbed 12% after the security software maker posted fourth-quarter earnings that topped its recently revised guidance. The company earned $39.7 million, or 23 cents a share, on sales of $253.3 million. Excluding items, the company earned $45.4 million, or 27 cents a share. Analysts expected earnings of 28 cents a share and sales of $255.2 million. In January, the company lowered its fourth-quarter earnings estimate, projecting earnings of 16 cents to 20 cents a share, or 25 cents to 27 cents a share before items, on sales of $254 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $38.8 million, or 23 cents a share, on sales of $244.2 million.