Tough economic conditions have made Natus Medical Incorporated project its fourth-quarter and 2009 results below Wall Street targets.

 

Natus is a provider of healthcare products used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments such as hearing impairment, neurological dysfunction, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and newborn care. The company offers computerized neurodiagnostic systems used in audiology, neurology, polysomnography, and neonatology, as well as newborn care products such as hearing screening systems, phototherapy devices for the treatment of newborn jaundice and head-cooling products for the treatment of brain injury in newborns.

 

Natus said it expects to report profit of 21 cents to 22 cents per share on revenue of about $43.5 million during the fourth quarter. Previously, the company expected to earn 25 cents to 28 cents per share, on revenue ranging from $48.5 million to $50.5 million.

 

For 2008, the company expects to report profit of 65 cents to 66 cents per share on revenue of about $118.4 million. Previously, it expected earnings per share to range from $0.68 to $0.71, on revenues ranging from $167 million to $169 million.

Natus blames the current financial crisis, which has made hospitals lower spending. However, the results are preliminary as the company expects more detailed figures as of February.