Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 13 percent as its government business failed to offset a drop in private sector contracts. The earnings barely topped Wall Street estimates, and shares fell 7 percent in Tuesday trading after the company lowered its outlook.

The Pasadena construction services company late Monday reported net income of $94.9 million (76 cents per share), compared with more than $108 million (87 cents) a year ago. Revenue fell 7 percent to $2.71 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average forecast earnings of 75 cents per share on revenue of $2.83 billion.

The company adjusted its 2009 outlook to a range of $3.10 to $3.35 per share, down from $3.10 to $3.50.

“While our public sector markets led by national government programs remain good, our growth there was insufficient to offset declines in our private sector markets,” Chief Executive Craig Martin said in a statement. “The market remains uncertain with economic conditions, oil prices and business confidence reflecting that uncertainty,”

Jacobs shares were down $3.56, or 8 percent, to $39.83 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.