NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Westport Innovations (WPRT) - Get Report are plummeting, sharply down 17.61% to $4.68 in early market trading Tuesday, after the natural and gas engine technology provider reported a wider than expected fourth quarter loss late yesterday.

TheStreet's Jim Cramer, Portfolio Manager of the Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio says, "This company was supposed to be at the vanguard of the natural gas truck engine business. However, it just never came true and I don't know if it can pull out of its tailspin."

Westport Innovations posted a loss of 65 cents per share for the fourth quarter, worse compared to analysts' estimates of a loss of 40 cents per share.

Revenue came in at $27.4 million for the period, lower than the $27.7 million analysts were expecting.

For the full year, Westport now expects revenue in the range of between $110 million to $125 million, falling below the consensus estimate of $155.6 million.

Over the last 52 week period, the stock has fallen sharply by 73.24%.

Canada-based Westport is a provider of engine and fuel system technologies using gaseous fuels. The company's technology and products enable petroleum-based fuel engines to use natural gas. 

Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates WESTPORT INNOVATIONS INC as a Sell with a ratings score of D-. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate WESTPORT INNOVATIONS INC (WPRT) a SELL. This is driven by a few notable weaknesses, which we believe should have a greater impact than any strengths, and could make it more difficult for investors to achieve positive results compared to most of the stocks we cover. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its disappointing return on equity, poor profit margins and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself."

• You can view the full analysis from the report here: WPRT Ratings Report

WPRT

data by

YCharts