Tech Stocks in Motion

Updated from 1:28 p.m. EDT

Shares of QAD(QADI Quote) were among technology's losers Friday, falling 12.7% after the company cut its first-quarter outlook below Wall Street expectations.

When the software company posts results on May 26, it expects to report earnings of 6 cents to 7 cents a share on sales of $55 million to $56 million. That's down from previous earnings guidance of 12 cents to 16 cents a share on sales of $57 million to $60 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 14 cents a share. QAD blamed the shortfall on lower-than-expected license and services revenue, which affected total sales and earnings. Earnings were also hurt by a one-time charge of 2 cents a share. For all of fiscal 2006, QAD now expects earnings of 40 cents to 55 cents a share on sales of $227 million to $240 million, down from previous guidance of 50 cents to 70 cents a share in earnings on sales of $235 million to $250 million. Analysts had been expecting earnings of 63 cents a share. Shares traded down $1 to $6.90.

Nvidia(NVDA Quote) rose 11.2% after the maker of graphic chips posted first-quarter results that easily topped forecasts. The company earned $64.4 million, or 36 cents a share, on sales of $583.8 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 28 cents a share on sales of $581.2 million. A year ago the company earned $21.3 million, or 12 cents a share, on sales of $471.9 million. Nvidia said that gross margin initiatives continue to deliver results ahead of schedule. Indeed, gross margin improved by 450 basis points during the most recent quarter compared with a year ago. Shares traded up $2.54 to $25.33. ...