Gemstar Reports Loss

Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., the largest maker of software for electronic television-program guides, said it had a fourth-quarter loss of $126.2 million, or 31 cents a share, on write-offs for its $14.9-billion purchase of TV Guide Inc. The Pasadena-based company had earned $23.1 million, or 9 cents, a year ago. TV Guide helped boost sales almost sixfold to $358.1 million, beyond analyst expectations, from $64.1 million. Gemstar said cash flow more than tripled to $112.3 million from $32.9 million. Gemstar closed up $2.25 at $47.81 on Nasdaq, before the results were announced, and rose 19 cents more in after-hours trading.