Ixia Inc. cut its first-quarter outlook late Thursday on lower-than-expected sales, sending shares tumbling nearly 13 percent early Friday.

The Calabasas-based network hardware maker said it now expects to break even or report a 1 cent per share loss for the first quarter. Previously, the company said it would likely post results in a range between a loss of 1 cent and a profit of 2 cents per share.

Excluding charges, the company said its profit would range from 3 cents to 4 cents per share, also down from Ixia’s earlier guidance of between 4 cents and 7 cents per share. Wall Street was expecting profit of 6 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial.

Ixia said its sales would be between $41 million and $42 million, below its earlier guidance between $42 million and $46 million and also below analysts’ predictions of $44.6 million.

The company said despite strong sales in the Asia Pacific region, sales in Europe and Canada fell more than the company expected.

Shares in Ixia shares were down nearly 13 percent Friday to $6.71.