NutriSystem (NTRI), Novatel Wireless, (NVTL) MedAssets, (MDAS) Crushed on Weak Guidance, Performance

NutriSystem (NASDAQ:NTRI), Novatel Wireless, (NASDAQ:NVTL) MedAssets and (NASDAQ:MDAS) were all getting hammered on weak guidance and/or performance.

Guidance continues to be the story this earnings season, as companies with great last quarters are punished if they hint that's not going to be the case going forward.

Novatel Wireless (NVTL) was 16.8% lower after hours; reporting a fourth quarter adj-EPS of breakeven, $0.01 lower than the analyst estimate of $0.01. Revenue for the quarter was at $119.3 million versus the consensus estimate of $114.68 million. Guidance was for first quarter adj-loss of 36-48 cents, vs. the consensus of a 4 cents gain. Sales are expected to reach $60-$80 million, vs. the Street estimate of $103.8 million.

NutriSystem (NTRI) dropped by 28.3% after hours, reporting fourth quarter EPS of $0.25, level with the analyst estimate of $0.25. Revenue for the quarter came in at $87.9 million versus the consensus estimate of $100.64 million. Guidance if for a first quarter loss of $0.30-$0.35, versus the consensus of $0.30 profit. The company sees a full year 2011 profit of $0.40-$0.50, versus the consensus of $1.14.

MedAssets (MDAS) fell 16% after reporting fourth quarter EPS of $0.18, $0.04 lower than the analyst estimate of $0.22. Revenue for the quarter came in at $106.9 million versus the consensus estimate of $122.17 million.