NorthPoint Loss Widens

NorthPoint Communications Group Inc., which provides high-speed Internet access over digital-subscriber lines, said its fourth-quarter loss widened. NorthPoint said it lost $76 million, or 60 cents a share, for the latest period. A year ago, it reported a loss of $15.9 million, or 65 cents a share. The number of the company’s shares outstanding has increased more than fivefold. The company was expected to post a loss of 58 cents a share for the latest period, according to the average estimate of five analysts polled by IBES International Inc. Sales rose to $11.6 million from $531,000 as the company’s number of subscribers grew to 23,500 on Dec. 31 from 11,800 on Sept. 30.