Arctic Cat sees wider third-quarter loss

(Adds detail on full-year forecast, comparisons to Reuters Estimates, dateline)

NEW YORK, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Arctic Cat Inc (ACAT.O) on Friday widened its third quarter loss forecast citing weaker-than-expected sales of all-terrain vehicles, and said full-year profits will be much lower than initially thought.

The company, which also makes snowmobiles, sees a third-quarter net loss of 55 cents to 60 cents per share, compared with its prior net loss view of 30 cents to 37 cents per share.

Third-quarter net sales are estimated at $155 million to $160 million, down from its earlier forecast of $170 million to $180 million, the company said in a statement.

Analysts on average were looking for a third-quarter loss of 31 cents per share on sales of $176 million.

The reduced forecast reflects an industry-wide decline in sales of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) -- those designed for off-road travel by a single rider. The company will cut ATV production by about 10 percent during the current quarter. It also plans a new $10 million stock buyback.

Arctic Cat, which will report results on January 23, said it has no long-term debt and remains in strong financial condition.

Arctic Cat said full-year earnings will be in a range on 1 cent to 7 cents per share, versus its earlier forecast of 89 cents to 95 cents per share and Wall Street's estimate of 67 cent.

Its shares closed Thursday at $12.19 on the Nasdaq.

(Additional reporting by Jennifer Robin Raj in Bangalore)

(Reporting by Nick Zieminski; Editing by Derek Caney)

((nick.zieminski@reuters.com ; +1 646 223 6162; Reuters Messaging: nick.zieminski.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: ARCTICCAT/

(C) Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution ofReuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expresslyprohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuterssphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group ofcompanies around the world.nN04290451