End of an era: new computer firms, font of big fortunes, grow increasingly rare; technology shift, high costs scare venture capitalists from makers of hardware. Another opening for Japan?

Article Abstract:

The marriage is breaking up between venture capital companies and upstart computer hardware companies, which resulted in record profits for all involved. Grounds for the divorce are a saturation of the business for all but the largest computer companies, which are able to maintain $50 to $100 million in sales. The relationship between the two industries goes back to the 1957 launching of DEC with a $70,000 venture-capital investment. In 1982, Compaq Computer Corp received a $2.5 million loan that today would be worth $310 million, or 124 times the original investment. In the computer heyday of 1984, computer hardware and software companies constituted more than 40 percent of all venture capital funds. Just four years later, that figure stood at just over 20 percent. Reluctance to finance hardware upstarts could result in yet another opening in the US market for adventurous Japanese firms.

Investors, not elsewhere classified, Economic aspects, Investments, Venture capital companies, Venture capital, Economics of Computing, Computer Industry

---

Apple Computer Chairman grabs opportunity to sell shares high

Article Abstract:

Apple Computer Inc CEO John Sculley sold 100,000 shares of Apple stock for approximately $5.5 million in October 1991. This amount represents more than 50 percent of his total 165,641 shares in Apple holdings. Sculley filed his Form 144 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just one day after Apple announced six new computers including three notebooks called the PowerBooks. Two other Apple executives sold company shares on the same day. Senior vice president for human resources Kevin J. Sullivan and vice president and general counsel Edward Stead both sold smaller amounts of shares originally acquired through stock options. Apple's stock value had grown in the weeks prior to the product introduction from $47.74 to $55. Sculley had previously sold 100,000 shares in January and May of 1990.

Officials and employees, Cases, Stockholders, Stock-exchange, Stock exchanges, AAPL, Chief executive officers, Sales, Apple Inc., Stockholder, Financial Report, Sculley, John

---

Sun Microsystems' results top estimates; strong sales in Europe, U.S. offset a drop in Japan; gross margins increase

Article Abstract:

Sun Microsystems exceeded analysts' expectations with its fiscal 2nd qtr earnings, attributing its 25% jump to strong sales in all geographic areas except Japan. The company announced quarterly net income of $149.4 million, or 38 cents a share on a diluted basis, compared to the 2nd qtr 1997's net of $178.3 million, or 46 cents a diluted share. This 16% decline includes $110.1 million in one-time charges related to acquisitions. Sun's total income amounted to $223.2 million, or 57 cents a diluted share. By comparison, analysts expected pre-charge earnings of 54 cents a diluted share. Sun's revenue increases of 19% in the US and 22% in Europe helped the company more than balance a 4% drop in Japan, its largest individual foreign-country market.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computers & Auxiliary Equip, Sun Microsystems Inc., SUNW, Company sales/revenue, Company sales and earnings, Company restructuring/company reorganization, Reorganization and restructuring, Company earnings/profit

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The content of the psychological contract. The career attitudes and intentions of managers in the finance sector
• Abstracts: Measurement of business performance in strategy research: a comparison of approaches. An Inventory and Critique of Strategy Rearch Using the PIMS Data Base
• Abstracts: The conduct of management and the management of conduct: contemporary managerial discourse and the constitution of the 'competent' manager
• Abstracts: How U.S. and European accounting practices differ. Building a process cost management system from the bottom up
• Abstracts: High technology renewal and the UK investment problem. Acquisition as long-term venture: cases from high technology industry

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.