I'd expect years and years of legal wrangling before any break-up was achieved, especially having seen the DOJ fail to define exactly how they wanted IE removed from Win95. Remember, they'll need a workable definition of O/S and app for that to be achieved, something even industry experts can't agree on. It would require ground-breaking interpretation of the law, and of course, MSFT would appeal everything.
As long as MSFT is not prevented from shipping the integrated products there should be no hit on revenue, even if they are forced to ship a non-integrated product as well. However, the pending legal business will likely dampen the stock price short term.
Unlike previous years, MSFT actually has some Xmas-style products this year, with WebTV, the Interactive Barney, the force feedback joystick, the well received Age of Empires game, and more kids titles. It will be interesting to see if this is visible on the 2Q results.
I'm holding at current price, and would be a buyer again should it fall to 115 or so. |
