STOCK WATCH

Druid Group

Management consultancy Druid Group has reported a 95 per cent leap in turnover to #27.8 million for the six months ended 31 December 1998. Pre-tax profit also increased 68 per cent to #4 million. The figures do not include costs associated with Druid's acquisition of Gamut Technologies in January.

Tieto

Finnish services provider Tieto will merge with Swedish rival Enator to create Tietoenator, a services organisation valued at $1 billion. Subject to the approval of shareholders, Tieto will exchange 0.725 shares for each Enator share in a public offer scheduled to commence in May.

Baan

Dutch software giant Baan reported even worse results than expected after warnings that it would have a disappointing fourth quarter. The enterprise resource planning software supplier reported a net loss of $294.7 million for the quarter ended 31 December, 1998, compared with a profit of $29.1 million in the same period the previous year.

Fujitsu

The Fujitsu Group warned that it expected net profit of Y20 billion, compared with its original prediction of Y45 billion. Including a one-time electronics charge, it expected a Y20 billion loss - the first for five years. Sales were expected to fall to Y5.25 trillion from an estimated Y5.4 trillion.

Novell

Novell reported $286 million revenue for the first quarter ended 31 January, a 13 per cent increase over the previous year. Net income was $29 million, up from $14 million.