Mentor Graphics forecasts 4Q sales below estimates

WILSONVILLE, Ore. - Mentor Graphics Corp. said Tuesday it expects to be profitable on an adjusted basis for both the quarter and the year, but forecast fourth-quarter sales of about $243 million — shy of Wall Street estimates.

Analysts, on average, are expecting earnings of 54 cents per share and sales of $269 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

The company develops software and systems used to design and test electronic components.

Mentor plans to report quarterly results on Feb. 26.

Shares fell 16 cents, or $3.3 percent, to $4.77 in after-hours trading. The stock had closed the regular session down 45 cents, or 8.4 percent, at $4.93.

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