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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: t2 who wrote (29798)	9/21/1999 6:12:00 PM
From: Jill	Respond to of 74651

Tech--re: bullish or bearish, Voltaire has some nice postings over on Q thread, and here's Jim Willie: Message 11319007

To: t2 who wrote (29798)	9/21/1999 9:31:00 PM
From: Teflon	Respond to of 74651

t2, I like the shorthand.<g> Just found this on Bloomberg: Microsoft Expected to Unveil Another Online Alliance Thursday Redmond, Washington, Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. is likely to unveil its second Internet alliance of the week on Thursday, possibly in Web calendaring, as part of an overview of its online plans, analysts said. Web calendaring lets users jointly schedule events over the Internet. Plans for renting software over the Internet also are likely to be discussed, said William Epifanio, an analyst at J.P. Morgan Securities, who has a ''buy'' rating on the stock. This month, Microsoft appointed Richard Belluzzo, former chairman and chief executive of Silicon Graphics Inc., to head its online operations in a bid to catch up with rivals such as America Online Inc. The world's biggest software maker needs to clarify its Internet strategy, analysts said. ''I hope they have some better-defined strategic agenda than they've had for the past year,'' said Dwight Davis, an analyst at Summit Strategies. ''It's very much a patchwork quilt of services and products that filter out every week or two.'' ''I wouldn't be surprised if we heard something about (Web) calendaring'' on Thursday, Epifanio said. Monday, Microsoft announced a joint venture with Ford Motor Co. to let the world's second-largest automaker build cars to order through Microsoft's MSN CarPoint online car-buying service. Investments in CarPoint are being sought from other automakers, said Microsoft President Steve Ballmer. CarPoint lets consumers buy new and used vehicles online and arrange financing, and alerts users when maintenance work is needed. It's part of the MSN network of Web sites that include the Expedia travel-booking service, Hotmail Web-based e-mail and Linkexchange marketing network for small businesses. Web Hosting At the Thursday event in Seattle, Microsoft also is expected to discuss plans for renting software over the Internet, sometimes known as Web hosting. ''We certainly will have Web-based business productivity services,'' Ballmer said this month when Belluzzo's appointment was announced. Microsoft's Office group of business productivity software, including word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs, is the market leader. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, also is expected to discuss plans for cheaper or free Internet access, analysts said. ''To what extent will Microsoft go to garner more market share?'' said Aaron Scott of Advest Inc., who has a ''buy'' rating on the stock. ''They said they'd focus on increasing market share.'' In recent months, Microsoft has cut fees for its MSN Internet access by partnering with retailers such as Costco Cos., the biggest U.S. chain of warehouse-club stores. Microsoft also has offered rebates to buyers who purchase new personal computers and sign up for MSN, teaming with PC maker Lan Plus Inc. Belluzzo, 45, was appointed vice president of Microsoft's consumer and commerce group, which includes MSN, following a nine- month search. He reports to Ballmer. MSN ranks third in customer reach, behind AOL and Yahoo! Inc., according to Media Metrix. Belluzzo and Ballmer have said they'll focus on putting the online operations in the black. ''Ballmer said revenue will come from content and advertising because a lot of companies are starting to give free access (to the Internet),'' Scott said. Teflon