Linux firm Caldera reports loss

Caldera Systems, one of a handful of publicly traded Linux companies, beat estimates today with a narrower-than-expected loss.

The company reported a loss of 19 cents per share, not as deep as the 25 cents expected by analysts surveyed by First Call/Thomson Financial. The company had revenue of $1.2 million for the three months ended July 31, a modest 9 percent better than the $1.1 million the same quarter last year.

The company's net loss for the quarter was $7.5 million, compared with $2.2 million last year, Caldera said. The company attributed the net loss to "infrastructure investment, advertising and marketing development and strategic development as well as non-cash charges for the amortization of deferred compensation."

Orem, Utah-based Caldera is in the process of acquiring Unix products from Santa Cruz Operation, which is changing its name to that of its remaining product, Tarentella.