Stocks in Motion: ManTech

Updated from 11:12 a.m. EST

Shares of ManTech(MANT Quote) were among the Nasdaq's winners Friday, rising 13.1% after the defense contractor posted in-line fourth-quarter earnings but said that first-quarter earnings would be better than expected.

The company earned $10.7 million, or 33 cents a share, on sales of $229.8 million during the fourth quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 33 cents a share on sales of $226.2 million. A year ago, the company earned $10.1 million, or 31 cents a share, on sales of $194.8 million. Looking ahead, ManTech forecast first-quarter earnings of 38 cents to 40 cents a share on sales of $214 million to $218 million. Analysts had been expecting earnings of 31 cents a share on sales of $227.7 million. For all of 2005, the company expects earnings of $1.40 to $1.50 a share on sales of $930 million to $950 million. Analysts are expecting earnings of $1.35 a share on sales of $938.3 million. Shares traded up $2.65 to $22.92.

Featherlite(FTHR Quote) rose 23.9% after the maker of trailers and luxury motorcoaches posted solid fourth-quarter results. The company earned $1.2 million, or 16 cents a share, on sales of $56.6 million. The one-analyst estimate called for earnings of 7 cents a share on sales of $49.4 million. A year ago, the company earned $16,000 on sales of $45.2 million. Looking ahead, Featherlite said it remains "cautiously optimistic" and expects strong first-quarter sales. Shares traded up $1.21 to $6.27. ...