Today's Health Winners and Losers

Shares of Per-Se Technologies(PSTI) were among the worst-performing health-related stocks Tuesday, sliding 8% after the company posted weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results.

The company, which provides management services to physicians and hospitals, earned $11.9 million, or 34 cents a share. Excluding a tax benefit, the company earned $9.3 million, or 27 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings of 29 cents a share, before items. Per-Se recorded sales of $93.4 million, shy of analysts' mean estimate of $95.4 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $36 million, or $1.11 a share, on sales of $89.4 million. Excluding items, the company earned $7.7 million, or 24 cents a share, during a year earlier.

Per-Se Technologies now sees 2006 earnings, excluding items, of $1.30 to $1.40 a share. Previously, the company predicted earnings of $1.28 to $1.38 a share. The company predicts sales of $625 million to $635 million. Analysts project earnings of $1.39 a share and sales of $525.5 million. Shares were trading down $2.03 to $22.94.

LifeCell(LIFC) fell 9% after the company posted in-line fourth-quarter earnings. The company, which develops products made from human tissue for use in surgical procedures, earned $3.8 million, or 11 cents a share, on revenue of $27.3 million. Analysts expected earnings of 11 cents a share and revenue of $26.8 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $4.1 million, or 13 cents a share, on revenue of $16.7 million. Excluding a tax benefit, the company earned $1.3 million, or 4 cents a share, a year earlier.

Looking ahead, LifeCell sees 2006 earnings, excluding stock-based compensation costs, of 59 cents to 63 cents a share. The company predicts product revenue of $124 million to $130 million. Analysts project earnings, excluding stock-based compensation costs, of 62 cents a share. LifeCell shares were down $2.08 to $21.85.