ROUNDUPS
In the papers 01 May
01-05-2002
by Ralph Averbuch
UK software maker Sage posts increase in pre-tax profits | Vodafone may bid for French mobile operator
The Financial Times reports that Microsoft may have out-manoeuvred the nine US states still at odds with the software giant, by not calling key witnesses to the stand. This makes it harder for those states to introduce opposing evidence during cross-examination which, they believe, would highlight Microsoft's current treatment of computer manufacturers.
The paper also reported that Sage strengthened its status as the "great survivor" of the UK software sector. It posted a 10 percent increase in first-half pre-tax profits, bringing it in line with market expectations. The company, which produces accountancy software, lifted its customer base by 120,000 to 2.9 million in the six months to 31 March, but gained much of its revenue growth from sales to its existing users.
The FT also highlights Scoot.com's reported pre-tax losses widening to STG180.3 million in 2001 compared with STG67.2 million in the previous year, after it incurred an exceptional loss of STG107.8 million in the year. Scoot was a one-time owner of Ireland's BuyandSell.net.
Most papers on Wednesday report that a US judge has cleared Hewlett-Packard of allegations that the company acted improperly over the Compaq Computer Corporation acquisition. After a three-day trial last week, Judge William Chandler ruled that former HP director Walter Hewlett had failed to back his claims that HP bullied a big investor into supporting the Compaq deal and lied to investors about the progress of the merger plans. Hewlett said he would not appeal the ruling. Get more on HP on the ElectricNews.Net Web site.
The Guardian reports that Vodafone may be preparing a takeover bid for French network SFR if its controlling shareholder, Vivendi Universal, disintegrates. SFR is France's second biggest mobile player and would enhance Vodafone's pan-European network. But the paper says it would risk upsetting City critics who believe chief executive Chris Gent should concentrate on profits from existing business units.
RealNetworks and Sony Corporation formed an alliance to collaborate on products for consumer electronics devices in a move that allies two rivals of Microsoft, reports the Wall Street Journal. As part of the agreement, Sony will take a one percent stake in RealNetworks, the Seattle-based provider of software for delivering audio and video over the Internet.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 