Today's Early Winners and Losers

Shares of WebMethods(WEBM Quote) took off in late trading Thursday after the maker of business-optimization software put its fiscal fourth-quarter results above its earlier guidance. The company projects bottom-line earnings of 11 cents to 14 cents a share, compared with its original prediction of 5 cents to 10 cents. WebMethods estimates revenue of $57 million to $59 million for the March quarter, up from its previous forecast of $52 million to $55 million. The projection includes $25 million to $27 million in license revenue, better than its guidance of $21 million to $23 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast earnings of 8 cents a share and revenue of $54 million. WebMethods shares jumped $1.02, or 12%, to $9.75.

SafeNet (SFNT Quote) shares sank after the company abandoned an acquisition, cut its first-quarter estimates and announced the departure of its chief financial officer. The information-security company said it decided not to buy nCipher PLC after U.K. regulatory authorities raised issues with the proposed deal, noting that both companies are two of the largest suppliers of hardware security modules in the U.K. SafeNet said it decided to desert the deal because further review requires large expenses and lasts for several months.

Meanwhile, SafeNet said it expects first-quarter earnings to be below its guidance of 29 cents to 37 cents a share, before certain items, amid higher-than-expected operating expenses, a charge related to the nCipher deal, and lower revenue. The company put its revenue at $63 million to $65 million, below its guidance of $65 million to $69 million. Analysts forecast earnings of 33 cents a share and revenue of $67 million. Finally, SafeNet said Ken Mueller is leaving as financial chief, effective Thursday. President Carole Argo, who previously served as chief financial officer, will serve in the role on an interim basis. SafeNet shares tumbled $3.67, or 14%, to $22.30 after hours.