UPDATE 1-Brooks Automation posts narrower Q4 loss

* Q4 loss/shr $0.23 vs $3.45 yr-ago

* Q4 rev down 40 pct

* Shares up 4 pct

Nov 12 (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer Brooks Automation Inc (BRKS.O) posted a narrower quarterly loss, helped by easier comparisons from the big goodwill impairment charge recorded in the year-ago quarter, and said it expects to at least break even in the first quarter.

New product platforms serving markets beyond the core semiconductor manufacturing equipment business and continuing recovery of the base business can accelerate growth well into next year and beyond, Chief Executive Robert Lepofsky said in a statement.

"We presently anticipate converging on at least break even results in the current quarter and positive earnings for our full fiscal year," Lepofsky said.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported a net loss of $14.5 million, or 23 cents a share, compared with a loss of $216 million, or $3.45 a share, a year ago.

Excluding items, the company posted a loss of 22 cents a share.

Revenue fell 40 percent to $64.1 million.