i'm up to p200's now,
but you missed this didn't you!!!!!!!
JEFF YASTINE: Well, software maker Citrix Systems (NASDAQ:CTXS) has been busy
lately, posting strong third quarter earnings And signing a joint marketing
agreement with COMPAQ Computer (NYSE:CPQ). Its quite a change from early in the
year when a dispute with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) threatened to undo much of the
company's growth prospects. It is a company many investors loved then
abandoned and now appear to love again. For over a year Citrix (NASDAQ:CTXS) shares
flew high on the strength of its software product which, put simply, allows
older network PCs say a group of old 286 computers to run today's powerful
Windows or WindowsNT applications. Companies save money because they don't
have to upgrade their computer systems to run the latest programs. But in
late February, Citrix shares began plummeting after Microsoft said it might
market its own Citrix-like product. But, in late April, the two sides struck
a deal that would allow Citrix to continue licensing Windows products and
Citrix shares began their renewed assent.
ED IACCABUCCI, CEO, CITRIX SYSTEMS: This agreement that we just signed was
the latest evolution of the relationship to the point where now some of the
things that we're doing are actually being re-hosted inside some MSFT
products and we're focusing on adding the complete system solution of value
to the customers.
YASTINE: Analysts say the company's Microsoft agreement gives it a stamp of
approval it did not have before.
CHRIS GALVIN, ANALYST, HAMBRECHT & QUIST: I think, not only does this secure
the company a great opportunity for the next two and a half years, but what
Microsoft has done most importantly is endorse the notion of thin client
server computing and endorse the notion that Citrix really is on center stage
as this market becomes important mainstream.
YASTINE: Still, Citrix has just two and a half years, the length of the
agreement, to stay ahead of Microsoft which could still market a similar
product. Citrix executives see the growth of network computing in health
care and other fields as well as the consumer network PC as source of future
growth. But, they'll have to move fast to stake their claim. Analysts have
also raised estimates on Citrix earning from $1.20 this year to $1.46, and
next year they expect it to earn over $2 a share.
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