STOCKWATCH

Lucent Technologies' directors have approved a two-for-one stock split, the first since its record setting initial public offering which raised $3 billion in April 1996. Lucent, which is the second most widely held stock in the US, also stated that it intended to raise the quarterly dividend to $0.08 a share on pre-split shares, up from $0.75 at present.

Strong growth in sales of smart cards, payment terminals and software helped Bull to increase revenue by five per cent to FFr24.6 billion for financial year to 31 December 1997. Sales of these products grew 30 per cent, and services also reported solid growth. Net profit rose to FFr603 million for the year, up 60 per cent on 1996.

ITG has suffered from almost doubling its pre-tax loss to £1.96 million in the year to 31 October 1997. Revenue increased significantly to £4 million from £400,000 over the same period last year. In a statement, the company said growth in the subscriber base can only be achieved at this stage through substantial investment.

Application software company Sterling Software has posted record revenue and earnings for the first quarter to 31 December 1997. First quarter revenue was up 53 per cent to $148.8 million, and net income was $19.7 million, up 55 per cent on the previous year.

Strong growth in Europe helped touchscreen technology specialist MicroTouch Systems report a 35 per cent increase in revenue to $128.5 million for the year ended 31 December 1997. Net income increased by $700,000 to $6.4 million. Fourth quarter revenue increased by 23 per cent to a record $33.3 million, though the company broke even for the quarter as a result of foreign exchange losses and restructuring charges.

Computer reseller Trace has announced a pre-tax profit of £409,000 for the six months to 30 November 1997, its best performance since it floated in 1989/90 and up £264,000 on the £145,000 reported last year. Turnover for the period increased slightly to £7.17 million.

Despite earlier worries about the Asian economic situation, sales in the region jumped 79 per cent to help Dell record a 52 per cent increase in net profit to $285 million for the fourth quarter to 1 February. Revenue was $3.74 billion, up from $2.41 billion a year ago. With the share price tripling in the last year, the direct manufacturer announced a two-for-one stock split, the fifth in six years.