“The software license revenue is widely viewed as a healthy barometer of their business. I think most of us were looking for growth in the 12- to 15-percent range, and we got 9 percent.”
“People have been on H-P for a while about not being able to generate rapid enough revenue growth, and it's a huge, diversified company -- do we need all these unrelated pieces? And I think by separating away the test and measurement business and the medical stuff, they can focus more clearly on their core strength, and that's the computers and imaging products.”
“Microsoft needs to defend its turf. If Microsoft turns its back, it could be in a situation where the PC becomes irrelevant. It's important for Microsoft to defuse the situation.”
“It's a way for Microsoft to leverage the investment they've already made in this technology. I don't know if this move is to appease banks. It's more to allow Microsoft to generate revenue.”
“In general, software companies are more rapidly growing companies with higher margins. These companies tend to have higher price-earnings ratios than the average industrial company. They have farther to fall when people start getting worried.”
