Tuesday's Tech Winners & Losers

Shares of Sykes Enterprises(SYKE Quote) were among the technology sector's winners Tuesday, jumping 22% after the technical help and customer support company posted mixed fourth-quarter results but offered a strong first-quarter outlook.

The company earned $8.1 million, or 20 cents a share, on revenue of $158.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected higher earnings of 21 cents a share but lower revenue of $154.1 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $8.6 million, or 22 cents a share, on revenue of $128.8 million.

Looking ahead, Sykes sees first-quarter earnings of 23 cents to 25 cents a share on revenue of $163 million to $168 million. Analysts project earnings of 18 cents a share on revenue of $153.5 million. For all of 2007, the company sees earnings of 82 cents to 92 cents a share on revenue of $645 million to $675 million. Analysts project earnings of 84 cents a share on revenue of $632.2 million. Shares were trading up $3.43 to $19.25.

Microchip Technology(MCHP Quote) rose 3% after the chipmaker said that fourth-quarter earnings and sales would be in line with Wall Street's forecasts. The company sees earnings of 33 cents a share on revenue that will be flat to up from third-quarter sales of $251 million. Analysts project earnings of 33 cents a share on revenue of $251.2 million. "Bookings and turns were unseasonably strong through February," the company said. Shares were trading up $1.02 to $36.46.