here ya go DH... from hizzoner hisself
Thursday October 7, 4:17 pm Eastern Time
Computer Assocs CEO sees BMC shortfall isolated
NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Business software maker Computer Associates International Inc. (NYSE:CA - news) on
Thursday said he it was optimistic on business prospects in Europe, signaling that rival BMC Software Inc.'s (NasdaqNM:BMCS
- news) weak European sales were an isolated, company specific issue.
Shares of BMC were slammed Thursday after the company warned of a profits shortfall for its second quarter ended in
September, which it blamed on internal issues tied to a sales force reorganization in Europe at two recently acquired units.
BMC stock fell $7-5/8 to $62-3/8, and dragged down with it the shares of software makers like Computer Associates, whose stock price fell $3 to $60 and
International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - news), which sagged $2-7/16 to $116-11/16.
The three companies are the world's top makers of software used by large companies to manage their company-wide computer systems.
When asked about Computer Associates' own software business in Europe, Chairman and Chief Executive Charles Wang told Reuters: ``Our business is fine. We
continue to be optimistic.'
He made the comments to Reuters following a speech at the Internet World trade show here Thursday afternoon.
Late Wednesday, Houston-based BMC said its September quarter earnings would be hurt primarily by delays in closing a handful of large software license deals,
primarily in Europe.
Wang said he remained upbeat on Computer Associates' position. When asked about spending about corporate spending lock-downs in Europe tied to customers
seeking to fix existing equipment ahead of the Year 2000, said: ``We're okay.'
Asked about business in Germany, Europe's largest market, he said ``We're fine.' |
