Research In Motion Hits A Bump

Research In Motion became the second handheld device maker in 10 days to disappoint Wall Street after the close on Thursday.

RIM’s earnings of 45 cents a share beat analysts’ estimates by two cents, and revenues of $310.2 million bested forecasts. For the November quarter, RIM said it expects earnings of 50-55 cents a share — above 48-cent estimates — but revenues of $340-$360 million were at the low end of forecasts.

The stock fell 4% after hours. RIM’s lukewarm guidance comes just 10 days after palmOne
shocked Wall Street with a weak PDA sales forecast.

Also after the close, Lawson met estimates.

Stocks were mixed Thursday on strong manufacturing data, a spike in weekly jobless claims and weak personal spending data. A 27% plunge in shares of Merck sent the Dow to a loss on the day.

The Nasdaq gained 3 to 1896, the S&P 500 was down fractionally to 1114, and the Dow fell 55 to 10,080. Volume rose to 1.75 billion shares on the NYSE, and 1.68 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers led 19-13 on the NYSE, and 17-13 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 61% on the NYSE, and 60% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 205-24 on the NYSE, and 101-35 on the Nasdaq.

Micron slipped after missing earnings and revenue estimates.

Red Hat lost 4% on lukewarm guidance and plans to acquire Netscape Enterprise from AOL.

Intuit edged higher after reaffirming guidance.

Commerce One lost 14% on a planned bankruptcy.

Travelzoo fell 10% on a private placement at $40 a share.

Cray gained 7% on supercomputing orders.

Synnex rose 10% on its results.