Travelusacc Discussion Threads

[maywillow] 17/6/2005 17:13

EXCLUSIVE REPORTS
From the June 3, 2005 print edition
Tripwire ready for a public company CEO
Aliza Earnshaw
Business Journal staff writer
Just a year after installing former Intel Oregon general manager Jim Johnson as CEO, the board of Tripwire Inc. is launching a search for a new CEO to take the company public. It's not a sign of dissatisfaction with Johnson -- quite the opposite. Under Johnson's leadership, security and compliance software company Tripwire has exceeded the goals that the board set for the company.

But as the downtown Portland company contemplates an initial public offering, "in this post-Sarbanes-Oxley world, you need a CEO who is a strong content expert, a strong strategist and a strong operational person the public can entrust their millions of dollars to," said Johnson.

Tripwire initially sold its software as "intrusion detection" protection for networks. But in recent years, the company has also turned to marketing its technology as a means to monitor and improve performance of enterprise-wide computer networks, and to help with verifying the internal financial controls mandated for public companies by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Tripwire's new CEO will ideally be someone who has had the experience of taking a company from Tripwire's 2004 revenue level of $23 million to an IPO, said Jim Richardson, a board member who co-led Tripwire in 2003 when co-founder and CEO Wyatt Starnes left temporarily after a diagnosis of throat cancer. Starnes returned to his CEO job in January 2004, but left in April, after he and the board agreed it was time to find another CEO.

Tripwire's new chief should be "someone with a software background, who has relationships with the big four consulting firms that we need as partners going forward," Johnson said.

Accounting firms often recommend information technology strategies and offer consulting on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, both serious markets for Tripwire.

Though he has the strong business skills the board was seeking to build Tripwire's revenue, profitability and cash position, "I am not a content person; I don't have deep roots with CIOs [chief information officers], with security people and with the finance community," Johnson said.

Since Johnson's arrival at Tripwire in June last year, the 118-employee company has turned profitable. Revenue grew 25 percent in 2004, and is tracking for a higher rate of growth in 2005 and higher yet again in 2006, said Johnson.

Contact Aliza Earnshaw at [e-mail].

[maywillow] 17/6/2005 16:18

BRUSSELS (AFX) - The two candidates for the EU's satellite navigation system
Galileo -- Alcatel-Finmeccanica and EADS-Thales -- will present a joint proposal
for the project on Monday, said a spokesman for Galileo.
Peter Marchlewski, spokesman for Galileo Joint Undertaking, said: "There
will be a joint proposal made on Monday at midday. That is what they (the
consortiums) have announced."
He stressed that the fact that one should not prejudge the decision of
Galileo, expected on June 27, to accept or reject the proposition. There are
still two competing offers on the table.
afp/ed/jsa

[maywillow] 16/6/2005 18:45

PARIS (AX) - Alcatel and EADS unit Astrium won a 200 mln eur order to build
a satellite platform for the European Space Agency and the French space research
institute.
The first of the large-capacity 'Alphabus' platforms is expected to be
complete by 2008 for a 2009 launch.
The companies did not specify what their respective shares of the deal are.
[e-mail]
mrg/lam

[grupo] 14/6/2005 14:12

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel SA said it has won an order from Dante, a non-profit
operator of data networks for researchers, to supply infrastructure equipment
for an upgrade of its Geant communications network for European scientists.
As part of the Geant2 project, Alcatel will supply systems enabling the
convergence of an optical and internet protocol network over a single platform,
and for the addition of Ethernet capabilities.
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
[e-mail]
js/cmr

[ariane] 02/6/2005 10:38

Alcatel target 9.72 euros

[maywillow] 01/6/2005 13:01

Jun. 2, 2005 Shareholders Meeting (Lille)
Jun. 9, 2005 Shareholders Meeting (Lyon)

[maywillow] 01/6/2005 13:00

Alcatel Too Dear, Microsoft Deal Has Hurdles

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 5:54:26 AM ET
Dow Jones Newswires



0937 GMT [Dow Jones] Goldman Sachs gives Alcatel (ALA) "the benefit of the doubt on achieving its near-term margin targets and ... a return to high single digit growth in '06/'07," but says stock is overvalued. Also, says the IPTV lab in Canada reveals that Microsoft (MSFT) and Alcatel is high quality, but must overcome significant technical challenges to ensure a viable business case. "We expect '06/'07 to be the inflection point for IPTV demand, rather than '05/'06 as Alcatel hopes." Shares -0.5% to EUR8.83. Keeps underperform rating. (BJL)

[waldron] 31/5/2005 12:14

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel SA said it has won a 30.9 mln eur contract from
Spain's Transport Ministry for the renovation of a 65-kilometer section of the
Tarragona-Barcelona-France railway line.
The company will supply its electronic interlocking and automatic block
systems, as well as signals and other field equipment, and an optical
communications network for the section.
[e-mail]
js/jsa

[maywillow] 27/5/2005 12:03

Alcatel Share Price Unjustified -CSFB

Friday, May 27, 2005 5:24:14 AM ET
Dow Jones Newswires




0902 GMT [Dow Jones] CSFB says Alcatel (ALA) share price is unjustifiably high. Says presentation Thursday was "fairly upbeat" and company reiterated current-year 10% operating margin target. But notes margin target was characterized as "challenging given the competitive environment." Sees shares overvalued "especially given the prospects for continuing operation weakness in 2Q before a potential pick-up in 2H." Neutral rating, target EUR8. Shares +0.8% at EUR8.95. (SIN)

[maywillow] 27/5/2005 11:58

WestLB Ups Alcatel to Outperform

Friday, May 27, 2005 5:39:25 AM ET
Dow Jones Newswires




0921 GMT [Dow Jones] WestLB upgrades Alcatel (ALA) to outperform from neutral, raises target price to EUR11 from EUR9 on the back of "a very informative two day analyst meeting." Notes Alcatel has committed itself to cash flow targets in contrastto statements during 1Q conference call, and has reiterated full year margin targets. Expects "a momentum story to build." Shares +0.68% at EUR8.93 (SIN)

[maywillow] 26/5/2005 08:31

Minister Thierry Breton is considering a plan by
Alcatel SA, Thales SA and Italy's Finmeccanica SpA to form an alliance to create
a single European electronic defence industries giant, according to a report in
French daily Le Figaro.
"It involves the creation of a second EADS with the Italians who would bring
their defence electronics activities in exchange for joint control of the new
company, while Alcatel would bring its Alcatel Space unit," a source close to
the matter told Le Figaro.
Alcatel would own 25 pct of this new group, compared with its current 9.5
pct stake in Thales.
The French state holds a 31.3 pct stake in Thales.
Earlier this year, Alcatel and Finmeccanica merged their space operations
into two joint ventures: Alcatel Alenia Space, owned 67 pct by Alcatel and 33
pct by Finmeccanica; and Telespazio, owned 67 pct by Finmeccanica and 33 pct by
Alcatel.
[e-mail]
js/nes

[waldron] 24/5/2005 21:34

Alcatel "reduce"

Tuesday, May 24, 2005 4:46:51 AM ET
Jyske Bank



LONDON, May 24 (newratings.com) - Analyst Per Kongsgaard of Jyske Bank maintains his "reduce" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The 12-month target price is set to €10.

In a research note dated May 19 and published yesterday, the analyst mentions that the company reported disappointing Q1 results, with operating earnings significantly short of the consensus. Alcatel's operating margins were under pressure during the quarter, the analyst says. Jyske Bank expects the company's margins to improve in 3Q05.

[grupo] 23/5/2005 08:58

FRANKFURT (AFX) - The German government is considering blocking financing
for the Galileo satellite navigation system because the joint bid by the Eurely
and iNavSat consortiums may reduce the extent to which German companies
participate in the project, transport minister Manfred Stolpe told Handelsblatt.
"We have to be certain that a sufficient amount of the Galileo investment
returns to German industry," Stolpe told the newspaper.
Stolpe also wants to insure Germany retains important Galileo sites, such as
the control centre, the newspaper wrote.
Originally the two consortiums were competing for the contract.
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co, Thales and Inmarsat are
members of iNavSat, while Alcatel, Finmeccanica SpA, Aena and Hispasat form the
Eurely venture.
[e-mail]
amk/lam

[waldron] 22/5/2005 18:16

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel CEO was given the green light to remain in his
position until 2008 after the group's AGM on Friday voted to extend the age
limit for the post to 70.
The resolution to extend the age limit was passed with an 87.14 pct majority
despite catcalls from shareholders attending the meeting about management
salaries.
The AGM also saw shareholders reject a series of resolutions linked to
capital increase plans under certain conditions and to the distribution of
shares to employees.
[e-mail]
ave/jad/hjp

[waldron] 21/5/2005 09:07

Alcatel attempts a technology twist

Alcatel, the 12.3 billion European telecom equipment and solutions provider is in a mode of changing gears.

2005-05-21 10:46


 


Alcatel  the 12.3 billion European telecom equipment and solutions provider is in a mode of changing gears, reports CNBC-TV18.

Alcatel  has recently shown profits, after surviving an over 4 year downswing and it is now looking for ways to give its old main business of fixed line communications, a technology twist.

As fixed voice markets reach saturation worldwide, Alcatel, which earns over 40% of its revenues from this business, is hoping that telecom service providers will turn to triple play.

In India, Reliance is already working on combining voice, high speed data and television services on a broadband platform. In France three triple play offerings have been launched in the past one year, whereas in Spain, Telefonica and in Italy, Telecom Italia are also in the process of converting.

Alcatel claims, this transformation is vital for them and for the service providers.

"Triple Play (TP) will be the main driver for network sales and application sales. TP will be essential for consumer offering and vital to operators to succeed, as the traditional voice revenue is under attack, therefore this is the only way we can restart growth," asserts Jacques Dunogue, Executive VP, Alcatel.

Alcatel claims that today half the service providers in the world have launched triple play or will do so in the next 2 years. But the triple play's success is challenged by regulatory issues and also by managing content and upgrading the broadband connectivity to homes.

"The real challenge for operators is a change in the fundamental business model. While initially operators were in people contact they are now increasingly into delivering content," says  Jacques Dunogue, Executive VP, Alcatel

Broadband content play is evident in the 3G development work, that Alcatel is doing to offer services like video messages and streaming. The other technology bet being made here is Wimax. Wimax simply offers high speed wireless broadband connectivity for those moving in one common large area. This cannot be served by WIFI as well by the speeds 3G offers.

Further, Wimax faces challenges like spectrum allocation but Alcatel has high revenue hopes pinned on it

"It will be an enriching mobile experience with a very large bandwidth capacity so it will boost mobile infrastructure revenue. On the other side it will also complement fixed operators, ADSL and  fibre access by opening services outdoors without connectivity. All this would help boost broadband access market," says Olivier Baujard, CTO, Alcatel

Alcatel is working with Intel to develop a Wimax chip that allows consumers to seamlessly switch between mobile and WIFI networks to Wimax. While this is still under testing, its tough to predict whether this middle solution will emerge as a winner in the technology traffic jams of today.

[maywillow] 20/5/2005 16:22

Alcatel CFO: Company To Pay Dividend On 2005 Earnings



Friday May 20, 10:00 AM EDT

PARIS -(Dow Jones)- Alcatel SA (ALA) intends to resume dividend payment beginning next year on its 2005 earnings, Chief Financial Officer Jean-Pascal Beaufret said Friday.

Beaufret was speaking at Alcatel's annual shareholders' meeting in Paris.

The French maker of telecommunications equipment isn't paying a dividend on its 2004 earnings even though it returned to profit after two years of heavy losses.

The company last paid a dividend in 2002 on its 2001 earnings.

-By Brian Lagrotteria, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]

[maywillow] 19/5/2005 17:49

PARIS (AFX) - Brandes Investment Partners of the US has acquired a 10.05 pct
stake in Alcatel SA as of May 6, and now holds 10.31 pct of the group's voting
rights, the AMF markets regulator said.
Although the investment fund said it does not intend to take control of the
company, nor seek a seat on its board of directors, it added that "Brandes may
continue to acquire Alcatel shares on behalf of its clients if Brandes considers
that Alcatel continues to represent an appropriate investment opportunity for
its clients", in a statement of intent filed with the AMF.
Investors in France must notify the AMF when their equity holdings exceed 10
pct of total share capital, but the AMF did not disclose Brandes' previous stake
in Alcatel.
A spokeswoman for Brandes in Geneva said the group was not immediately
available to comment on the acquisition.
[e-mail]
js/har

[ariane] 18/5/2005 08:39

Alcatel sells its stake in Chinese phone unit

By Janet Ong and Helen Yuan Bloomberg News
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005


SHANGHAI Alcatel, the world's biggest supplier of broadband Internet equipment, on Tuesday sold its 45 percent stake in an unprofitable handset venture with TCL of China.  
Alcatel, based in Paris, will receive shares of another TCL unit as part of the agreement. 
In August, Alcatel paid €45 million, or about $57 million, for the stake in the form of handset assets and cash. 
Alcatel and TCL, based in the southern city of Huizhou, are separating nine months after TCL received approval from the European Union for the venture, TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phone. 
Under terms of the agreement, Alcatel had the option to swap its stake for shares of TCL Communication Technology Holding, TCL's Hong Kong-listed unit, for as long as five years after the venture was formed, according to a statement in April 2004. 
"The unprofitable venture is a big burden for Alcatel," said Ma Guoqi, an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Shanghai who covers the technology sector in China. 
"It's better for the company to get rid of it." 
Alcatel will receive 63.34 million Hong Kong dollars, or about $8.1 million, of shares in TCL Communication. TCL Communication paid €55 million in cash for 55 percent of the venture that was set up to hold Alcatel's mobile phone unit last August. 
TCL Communication plans to issue 5 percent of new shares to Alcatel, pending approval from the Hong Kong stock exchange. 
If the company fails to receive approval for the new shares by July 31, it will pay Alcatel €10 million in cash for the stake. 
The mobile venture posted a first-quarter loss of 378.2 million yuan, or about $45.7 million, TCL said without providing year-earlier figures. 
In a separate statement, TCL, China's biggest publicly traded consumer-electronics maker, said it would buy €20 million worth of convertible notes from TCL Communication. 
The notes, which carry an annual coupon of 3 percent, can be converted into shares in TCL Communication at 58 Hong Kong cents per share. 
Once fully converted, TCL's stake in TCL Communication will be increased to 62 percent from 57.4 percent. 
TCL's shares were suspended from trading on May 13. 
On the previous day, the stock rose 1.4 percent, to 2.19 yuan. 

[ariane] 17/5/2005 20:38

Alcatel "sell"

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 8:41:16 AM ET
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasser.


LONDON, May 17 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein maintain their "sell" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price is set to €8.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company is selling its 45% stake in TCL-Alcatel for TCL shares worth €6 million. The deal would eliminate Alcatel's exposure to the mobile phone market, the analysts say. The company is likely to book substantial losses for the current quarter due to the divestiture, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein adds.

[ariane] 17/5/2005 18:43

PARIS (AFX) - Thales is considering various tie-up options, but may retain
its present structure, chief executive Denis Ranque said.
Asked about a tie-up with Alcatel, Ranque told the group's AGM: "We are not
currently certain that tightening up a certain number of partnerships with
Alcatel is really in our interests."
A tie-up with Alcatel in space activities is still a possibility "but there
could be others," he said.
Alcatel has said several times its 9.1 pct stake in Thales is "either too
little or too much".
[e-mail]
mrg/ak

[ariane] 17/5/2005 08:18

May. 20, 2005 Annual General Meeting (Paris, Palais des Congrès)
May. 25-26, 2005 Ottawa - Analyst's Day - On May 25-26 2005, Serge Tchuruk and Alcatel's top management team will discuss Alcatel's business strategy with analysts

[ariane] 17/5/2005 08:16

Alcatel Sale Of Handset JV Stake "Good News"

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 2:48:14 AM ET
Dow Jones Newswires



0639 GMT [Dow Jones] Alcatel (ALA) plans to sell its stake in a mobile handset joint venture with China's TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (2618.HK). This is "basically good news," says Paris-based analyst. "It means it is getting out of this unprofitable sector. The price it is being paid is too low, but it is still good news overall," for the company. Alcatel shares closed at EUR8.66. (SIN)

[ariane] 16/5/2005 11:52

Alcatel Gains On Tech Sector Bounce

Monday, May 16, 2005 6:23:10 AM ET
Dow Jones Newswires



1003 GMT [Dow Jones] Alcatel (ALA) +2.7% to EUR8.69 as tech rebound fuels a long-awaited recovery. "It's definitely a sector move," says Edmund Shing at Kepler, noting tech stocks like STMicro (STM), Altran (3463.FR) up across the board. Investors are betting that Alcatel's 27% decline since beginning of the year is overdone. Notes, the only sector peer to underperform Alcatel is Marconi (MRCIY). (BJL)