Arno and all,
The following is from Bloomberg News after market close:
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BN 6/19 Microsoft to Meet 4th-Qtr Estimate, Goldman Says (Update1)
Microsoft to Meet 4th-Qtr Estimate, Goldman Says (Update1)
(Adds Microsoft comment in sixth paragraph.)
New York, June 19 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.'s fiscal
fourth-quarter earnings are likely to meet estimates, a change from the two previous quarters when the software giant's results far surpassed expectations, Goldman, Sachs & Co. analyst Rick Sherlund said.
The biggest maker of personal computer software is expected to earn 78 cents a share for the quarter ending June 30, based on the average estimate of 17 analysts surveyed by IBES International Inc. Sherlund expects earnings of 78 cents. ``Upside surprises are not likely to be as significant as the unusual case of the past two quarters,'' Sherlund wrote in a report. He was unavailable for comment.
Microsoft shares fell 7/8 to 129 5/16. The high price and slower earnings momentum in fiscal 1998 may damp the stock, though Goldman recommends the shares, Sherlund said.
Microsoft is expected to post about the same revenue and per share earnings as in the last quarter, a typical seasonal patternfor the company, he said. The company's officials are expected to be cautious in their statements at an upcoming analysts meeting in July, he said.
Microsoft said it was comfortable with earnings estimates and that sales during the quarter were strong and steady.
Sales of Windows NT, software used in corporate computer networks, are likely to increase 100 percent a year, Sherlund said. Sales of Office 97, the latest version of Microsoft's package of spreadsheet, database and word-processing software, appears to be on track for 1 million copies a month, which is in line with Goldman's forecasts, Sherlund said.
In the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, Microsoft earnings surged 85 percent, topping estimates of 63 cents a share, based on the average estimate of 22 analysts surveyed by IBES. The company recorded net income of $1.04 billion, or 79 cents a shares, on revenue of $3.21 billion.
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Rick Sherlund made a fool of himself--again.
Regards,
Ibexx |
