Natural MicroSystems Lowers Fourth-Quarter Guidance

Author:: TSC Staff
Publish date:: Dec 4, 2000 5:58 PM EST

Natural MicroSystems

(NMSS)

, a provider of networking hardware and software components, lowered its fourth-quarter earnings and revenue guidance in the wake of a slowdown in the telecommunications industry.

For the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, the company now expects revenue of about $40 million, flat with the third quarter, as opposed to the previously forecast 10% to 12% sequential growth. The company also expects to report pro forma earnings of 6 cents to 8 cents a share. Wall Street expects the company to earn 12 cents a share for the fourth quarter, according to

First Call/Thomson Financial

Natural MicroSystems, Framingham, Mass., also said it would be "more cautious" on its outlook for 2001, and is lowering its revenue guidance to growth of 40% to 50%, from a previously expected growth range of 60% to 70%.

Shares of Natural MicroSystems were halted for

Nasdaq

trading after the market closed at $18.75.