Compuware Posts 21% Drop in Profit

Software company Compuware(CPWR Quote) posted a 21% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, but provided little insight into the reasoning for the downturn.

During the quarter, earnings fell to $48.4 million, or 20 cents a share, from $61.2 million, or 23 cents a share in the same period a year earlier. Analysts expected earnings of 19 cents.

Revenue tumbled 25% to $253.4 million from $338.9 million last year.

Earlier in the month the company said it's selling an applications testing software line to Britain's Micro Focus International for $80 million.

Competitor CA(CA Quote) said last week that earnings remained flat in its fourth quarter, helped by tighter expense controls, while BMC Software (BMC Quote) posted a 14% decline in earnings on one-time charges and a higher tax rate.