STOCK WATCH

Netscape

Netscape has reported its last year-end results as an independent company, with fourth-quarter profit of $2.7 million. Sales climbed eight per cent to $162 million for the quarter ended 31 October.

There were strong sales for its portal Netcenter, which increased 24 per cent to $48 million. Sales for the software and services business increased two per cent to $114 million.

Simware
Simware, an Ottawa internet software specialist, saw net earnings of C$517,000 for its second quarter to 31 October, up from C$10,000 last time. Revenue increased 37 per cent to C$58.2 million, up from C$3.8 million the same period a year ago.

Metrologie
Software and retail systems company RTC has reported profit for the first half ended 30 September. Profit climbed 28 per cent to #1.89 million, while turnover climbed 20 per cent to #8.6 million.

Novell
Novell's fourth-quarter profit to 31 October grew to $42 million from $35 million last time. Turnover increased by 11 per cent to $298 million compared with $269 million for the same period last year. Net income for the year reached $102 million against a $78 million loss in 1997. Revenue for the year was $1.1 billion compared to $1.01 billion last year.

Xavier
AIM-listed software and computer services company Xavier saw its shares rise by a third on 23 November, after it received a bid substantially above the current share price. Shares in the Channel Island and Isle of Man company, rose by 3.5p to 14p. By close on 27 November, the company was trading at 13.75p.

CML Microsystems
CML Microsystems posted pre-tax profit of #643,000 for the six months to 30 September, up from #319,000 last year. Turnover for the period was #9.8 million, up from #9.38 million a year ago. Despite the results, CML's share price plunged by 42p to 83.5p on 25 November, after chairman George Gurry said its full year would see a 'substantial reduction' in pre-tax profits.

Hitachi
Hitachi is spinning off its manufacturing operations in a bid to turn around its poor financial performance. The Japanese electronics giant last week reported a loss of Y142.23 billion for the first half ended 30 September. This contrasts with the same period last year when it made a profit of Y37.67 billion. For the year ending 31 March, Hitachi is predicting a loss of Y250 billion.