Article Abstract:
Oracle reported 3rd qtr 1998 net income of $215 million, or 22 cents a diluted share, surpassing analyst projections. The unexpected profit level signals reassurance of stability in the database software market. Analysts projected per-share earnings of 19 cents, according to Instinet. Oracle posted a 27% increase over its 3rd qtr 1997 totals of $169.3 million, or 17 cents, which included a $37 million acquisition charge. The company's revenue of $1.75 billion represents a 27% gain over the 3rd qtr 1997's $1.37 billion. Demand for database-server software jumped 13% over the 3rd qtr 1997, in a significant Oracle report. North American database-server sales leaped by 34%, surpassing even CEO Lawrence Ellison's Feb 1998 prediction of 25% in the period. Netscape does not expect improvement for at least the next few quarters in the Asia-Pacific database-server sales market, which declined by 25% in the 3rd qtr 1998.
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Article Abstract:
The market for mainframe and server software products continues to increase, while application-program sales for PCs falls steadily in the 1st qtr 1996. Computer Associates, Oracle and Informix appear to be the prime beneficiaries of this industry trend, as the database and server software companies post impressive and unexpectedly large gains. The movement in the high-end portion of the industry stands in stark contrast to the situation confronting numerous personal software developers. Analysts estimate that sales in this low-end segment of the market declined 8.8% in 4th qtr 1995, and entertainment-program creators such as Broderbund Software and Electronic Arts have seen their sales decline as well. Only industry giant Microsoft appears impervious to the swings of the marketplace, posting steady gains with numerous products in various segments of the market.
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Article Abstract:
Adobe Systems does not fare well after its Jun 1995 $500 million acquisition of Frame Technology, and the company's shares have declined by 40% since Jan 1996 as a result. Unexpected difficulties with the business operations of the Frame division and independent Adobe financial and company growth problems has damaged Adobe's reputation among investors. Adobe officials admit that they overconfidently assessed the company's ability to implement certain strategies vital to a successful Frame/Adobe merger. Adobe has a history of acquiring companies that develop emerging technologies and extracting enhanced profits from the acquired corporation. Adobe has a cash reserve of approximately $500 million, stock investments in Netscape Communications and others totaling $120 million, and analysts expect that Adobe will eventually recover its lost share price.
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