Andrew Neff
Andrew Neff
behind business likely optimistic problems prospects reason services slump strong turn worst
The reason we are optimistic about IBM's prospects is that with the worst very likely behind it - Y2K freezes, the problems in the HDD business and slump in services revenues that impacted 1Q00 - second-half 2000 is likely to turn up strong for IBM.
far improve
It is a show-me situation. They need to improve revenues and so far they haven't.
believe extend further growth lead means potential
We believe this means more growth and the potential to further extend its lead in the server arena.
appliance beginning business ibm network outlook positive provided revenue
While the earnings-per-share outlook was inline with expectations, Network Appliance provided a positive revenue outlook for the fourth-quarter with IBM business just beginning to ramp.
analyst community financial help meeting offset presence steve
Steve Jobs' presence at the analyst meeting can help to energize the financial community and offset some of the 'sell on the news' pressures.
average below corporate encouraged expectation front margins product revenue school
We are encouraged by the new product launches, which are timed in front of the back to school season. While a low-end product would have margins below Palm's corporate average of 39 percent, we have already incorporated this expectation into our revenue and margin assumptions.
beginning business clear gain good signs turnaround
We upgraded Compaq because we see clear signs of a turnaround beginning to gain traction with good pick-up in business momentum.
aggressive bound concerned consumer continued corporate demand pc pricing seeing signs spreading stocks weak weakness
When we downgraded the PC stocks in September, we were concerned about signs in the weak consumer demand -- which has continued to deteriorate. Now we are seeing signs of this weakness spreading into small/medium corporate and of aggressive pricing in low-end servers. This weakness is bound to spread.
apple balance based capital financial future growth increasing innovative invested ownership positive potential price products rate rating reasonable return sheet strong target view
We reiterate our 'buy' rating on Apple and our price target of $80 based on valuation of two times the company's EPS growth rate of 20 percent, reasonable in view of its innovative products and strong product cycles, ownership of technology, strong balance sheet and financial management, increasing return on invested capital and potential for future positive surprises.
discount ibm percent valued
We still see IBM attractively valued at a 13 percent discount to S&P multiple.
among clearer leaders-and-leadership reflects seeing thinking
We're seeing alliances, not mergers, among leaders, which reflects clearer thinking about what is good.
hitting milestones setting taking
He is taking the right steps. He is setting milestones and hitting them. It's what's important.
buying calendar continue operating opportunity stock view
We continue to view the stock pullback as a buying opportunity, with Apple's price-to-earnings at 17 times our calendar 2007 operating earnings-per-share estimate.
compelling ibm maintain near pressure rating remain stock
While the stock could remain under pressure near term, we maintain our 'buy' rating on IBM owing to a compelling second-half story.