To: Dennis who wrote (68074 ) 9/28/1998 9:23:00 PM From: Mohan Marette Respond to
This just in. Looking good.Ref:Dell...Production time for the average desktop computer fell to 3.9 days in the second quarter from 4.5 days in the first. It is expected to drop to 3.2 days in the third quarter... Dell Computer (DELL) stock gained 2 to 68 1/16, an all-time high Monday, following an upbeat meeting with analysts. Hambrecht & Quist analyst Todd Bakar wrote in a research note Monday that Dell gave "tremendous insight into the significant growth opportunities facing the company long-term." Many analysts who listened to the presentation Friday were impressed with Dell's continued strong demand for its products, with SG Cowen saying the computer maker's demand "remains broadly strong." Bakar said the company is on track to meet and possibly beat Hambrecht & Quist's third-quarter earnings estimate of 27 cents a share, The consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by First Call is also 27 cents.Analysts were also impressed with Dell's improving production efficiency and its online customer support. Production time for the average desktop computer fell to 3.9 days in the second quarter from 4.5 days in the first. It is expected to drop to 3.2 days in the third quarter. Dell's goal is to grow its online revenue to 50 percent of its sales. Increasing use of the Internet for services and customer support will help customer service but will also help save money because the transactions cost nothing, Bakar wrote. While Asia-Pacific is struggling through its turmoil, the region as well as Europe have performed well for Dell and will be "huge areas of growth in 1999 and beyond," Bakar wrote. cbs.marketwatch.com
