Today's Winners and Losers: Outback Steakhouse

Shares of Outback Steakhouse(OSI) were among the NYSE's losers Wednesday, tumbling 11% after the restaurant operator posted fourth-quarter results that fell well below Wall Street forecasts and warned that 2006 earnings would be lower than expected.

The company earned $28.1 million, or 37 cents a share, in the fourth quarter. Excluding charges related to impairments and the hurricanes, the company earned $34.7 million, or 46 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call expected earnings of 55 cents a share, before items. Outback posted total sales of $918.3 million, below analysts' forecast of $930.6 million. During the year-earlier quarter, the company earned $37.6 million, or 49 cents a share, on sales of $822.7 million.

Looking ahead, Outback sees 2006 earnings of $1.89 to $1.98 a share excluding stock-based compensation costs. Analysts project earnings of $2.53 a share. Outback shares recently were down $4.80 to $39.86.

Stratasys(SSYS) jumped 21% after the maker of 3D printers posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and reaffirmed its 2006 guidance. The company earned $3.1 million, or 30 cents a share, on sales of $23.5 million in the fourth quarter. Analysts expected earnings of 25 cents a share and sales of $22.2 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $2.3 million, or 21 cents a share, on sales of $19.4 million.

Stratasys continues to project 2006 earnings of $1.15 to $1.25 a share, excluding stock-based compensation costs. The company expects full-year sales of $98 million to $102 million. Analysts project earnings of $1.18 a share, with sales of $98.2 million. Stratasys shares were trading up $4.87 to $28.30.

Shares of PlanetOut(LGBT) climbed 15% after the media company, which serves the gay and lesbian community, posted fourth-quarter results that topped expectations. The company earned $678,000, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $13.3 million. Excluding stock-based compensation costs, the company earned $1.4 million, or 8 cents a share. Analysts expected earnings of 5 cents a share and sales of $10.7 million. During the year-earlier period, the company posted adjusted earnings of $318,000, or 2 cents a share, on sales of $7.1 million.