Parametric Stock Dives in Wake of Revenue Warning

Parametric Technology Inc. , a maker of engineering software trying to break into the Internet sector, warned Monday its latest earnings results will fall short of Wall Street forecasts, nearly halving its stock price.

The warning was the latest in a series that began in mid-1998 with Parametric struggling to focus its sales force on the new Internet-based Windchill software, analysts said.

In Nasdaq trading, Parametric closed down $10.31, or 49%, at $10.75, its lowest since October 1998.

The Waltham, Mass., firm said revenue for the second fiscal quarter that ended Saturday would fall about 15% short of the Wall Street consensus estimate of $268 million.

The company, a maker of computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering software, said it would either show no profit per share or a small loss for the quarter, including amortization charges associated with acquisitions.

The Wall Street estimate was for earnings of 9 cents a share, including amortization charges.