Business software maker CA to axe 1,000 jobs

8220;I recognise that the actions we8217;re taking are difficult.

But in the end,they will make CA stronger and more competitive,8221; CEO Bill McCracken said in a memo to employees.

The job cuts will occur mainly in North America and mostly be completed by the end of September,according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Islandia,New York,company has already shed 3,100 positions over the last three years amid office closings.

The reductions are part of CA8217;s efforts to mold the company to better fit its new business strategy of focusing on emerging technologies and high-growth markets. A key area of interest is cloud computing,where it would handle software and data storage for corporate clients off-site.

8220;We are taking the necessary steps to further align our organisations and skills with CA8217;s strategy,8221; McCracken said.

8220;The industry and the market are changing,and we have to change,too.8221;

CA will be consolidating an unspecified number of offices,which could include closings,reductions in office space and merging of locations.

The company expects to incur a USD 50 million pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter,of which USD 47 million would be for severance payments and the rest related to facility consolidations.

CA also said full-year earnings will come in at the lower end of the range it had previously given. It expected to earn USD 1.60 per share to USD 1.71 per share for the year,excluding one-time items. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting USD 1.69 per share,on average.

Shares of CA fell USD 1.25,or 5.2 per cent,to USD 22.60 in morning trading.