Sun Micro Projects 4Q Results Below Analysts' Views

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA) projected a steeper fiscal fourth-quarter loss and lower revenue than Wall Street had, in what may be its last quarterly report as an independent company.

The projected results would continue a string of losses that pushed the computer hardware and software maker into the arms of networking giant Oracle Corp. (ORCL). Once a Silicon Valley giant, Sun has seen sales slump for its servers as customers pared back spending on its high-end products when competitors swooped in with cheaper options.

Sun projected a loss, excluding items, of 6 cents a share to 16 cents a share on revenue of $2.58 billion to $2.68 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters recently forecast a 1-cent loss on revenue of $3.03 billion.

Oracle separately said Tuesday it expects the $7.38 billion Sun acquisition to add at least 15 cents a share to its earnings in the first year after the deal closes. The deal, expected to close this summer, requires regulatory and shareholder approval. Sun shareholders are set to vote on the deal Thursday.

Sun shares were down 2 cents at $9.14 in recent premarket trading; Oracle's offer is $9.50. Oracle was up 1.3% to $20.99.

-By Tess Stynes, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2481; [e-mail]