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Earnings parade to march on as XP debuts

Earnings season continues to deluge Wall Street this week with more third-quarter earnings results as Microsoft gets set to launch Windows XP.

8 min read
Following are some of the notable tech-related events scheduled for the week of Oct. 22 through Oct. 26.

Earnings season continues to deluge Wall Street this week with more third-quarter earnings results as Microsoft gets set to launch its latest operating system for PCs, Windows XP.

Investors will hear earnings from chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Charterd Semiconductor as well as third-quarter tidings from tech stalwarts like AT&T, SBC Communications, Amazon.com, Compaq Computer, Lucent Technologies, EarthLink, JDS Uniphase and Ericsson.

Microsoft will formally introduce XP Thursday, as part of its attempt to cement its presence on the Internet and compete against potential rival AOL Time Warner.

Wall Street will also be watching for government data on order big-ticket items, called durable goods, and sales of new and existing homes to get an idea of the health of the U.S. economy.

The information was gathered from First Call, Hoover's Online, CCBN's StreetEvents and CNET Investor.

Other events scheduled this week:

TECH EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 22

  • Storage Networking World takes place at the Renaissance Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 22-24. The event centers around developments in the computer data storage industry and features keynote speeches by chief executives from Computer Associates International, StorageTek, Brocade Communications, Quantum and Crossroads Systems.

  • Macromedia DevCon will take place at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 21-24. The event will include workshops and other learning sessions on Internet graphics and animation products made by Macromedia.

Tuesday, Oct. 23
  • As a pre-emptive strike on rival Microsoft, Sun Microsystems on Oct. 23 will hold its "Services on Demand Summit" at the Santa Clara, Calif., Marriott, where Chief Operating Officer Ed Zander and other executives will describe improvements to its iPlanet server software suite, including a new instant messaging module. The gathering will include details of the company's Sun One initiative to counter Microsoft's .Net strategy of offering computing services over the Internet.

  • Apple Computer has scheduled a special event Oct. 23 at its headquarters to introduce "a breakthrough digital device" according to the invitation to the media. Sources tell CNET News.com it is a digital music device of some kind.

  • Venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures will hold its Bootcamp for Start-Ups at the Westin Santa Clara Hotel in Santa Clara, Calif., Oct. 23-24. The event is for executives at fledgling technology companies who want to hear about ways of surviving the current economic environment. Keynote speakers include Garage CEO Guy Kawasaki.

  • Market Access will hold a briefing at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23. The event is for members of the private sector and will focus on how stepped-up homeland defense measures will effect the operation of federal institutions.

  • The TeleCon kicks off at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., Oct 23-25. The conference is targeted at people working in multimedia, conferencing, collaboration, corporate training and distance learning. Executives from NTT DoCoMo, Raindance Communications, PlaceWare, V-Span and AT&T are scheduled to make keynote speeches.

  • Borland, an established company that helps programmers develop software, will announce version 2 of its Kylix package Oct. 23. Kylix, introduced in January, lets software developers write a single program that can be used on Linux or Windows machines.

  • Magazine publisher Rising Tide Studios will host Silicon Alley Summit at the W New York Hotel in New York City, Oct. 23-24. Venture capitalists and investors keen on learning how to raise money and survive in the current rough climate for start-ups are encouraged to attend. Representatives from Intel Capital, Bain Capital and other VC firms will speak.

Thursday, Oct. 25
  • Microsoft will formally launch its Windows XP operating system for PCs.

  • The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing related to draft legislation known as Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA), Oct. 25. The hearing will focus on promoting broadband, securing content and speeding the transition to digital TV.

  • Market Access will hold a conference at the Ronald Regan Building in Washington, D.C., Oct. 25. The gathering is geared towards federal technology professionals who want to learn more about information management and storage.

EARNINGS REPORTS

Monday, Oct. 22

  • Altera makes chips for computer, communications and industrial uses. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 5 cents.

  • Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer that makes chips for other companies. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 96 cents.

  • FreeMarkets operates a business-to-business online auction Web site. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 9 cents.

  • Imation makes diskettes, computer tapes and other items used to store computer data. No estimates were available.

  • Lexmark International Group makes printers for computers. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 52 cents.

  • SBC Communications is a Baby Bell company that provides local phone service. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 60 cents.

  • Silicon Graphics makes servers for computer networks. Per-share consensus estimate for the first fiscal quarter: loss of 33 cents.

  • Vitesse Semiconductor makes chips for communications equipment. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: loss of 13 cents.

Tuesday, Oct. 23
  • Agere Systems makes components for telecom equipment. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: loss of 31 cents.

  • Amazon.com operates a business-to-consumer Web site. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 16 cents.

  • Ameritrade runs a stock trading Web site. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: loss of 2 cents.

  • AT&T provides long-distance phone service to businesses and consumers. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 4 cents.

  • AT&T Wireless provides cell phone service in the United States. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 2 cents.

  • CheckFree provides electronic payment and bill services to individuals. Per-share consensus estimate for the first fiscal quarter: loss of 2 cents.

  • CNET Networks, the publisher of News.com, is a technology news and information Web site. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 17 cents.

  • Compaq Computer is a major manufacturer of PCs. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 6 cents.

  • EarthLink is a nationwide Internet service provider. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 19 cents.

  • EchoStar provides satellite TV service. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 3 cents.

  • InfoSpace provides content to Web sites. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 1 cent.

  • Lattice Semiconductor makes chips for computers, communications, industrial and other uses. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 7 cents.

  • LSI Logic makes chips for servers and storage equipment. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 31 cents.

  • Lucent Technologies makes telecom equipment. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: loss of 23 cents.

  • QLogic makes equipment and components for data storage networks. Per-share consensus estimate for the second fiscal quarter: profit of 19 cents.

  • Sybase develops database software. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 18 cents.

  • Xerox manufactures copiers as well as fax machines and printers. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 24 cents.

Wednesday, Oct. 24
  • Arrow Electronics distributes computer components and products. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 17 cents.

  • Avaya makes communication systems and software for voice and data networks. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: profit of 3 cents.

  • BroadVision produces software that helps design and build Web sites. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 11 cents.

  • Nextel Communications provides cell phone service. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 48 cents.

  • StorageTek makes products for computer data storage. Per-share consensus estimate for the second fiscal quarter: profit of 10 cents.

  • Quantum makes disk drives. Per-share consensus estimate for the second fiscal quarter: profit of 4 cents.

Thursday, Oct. 25
  • BMC Software makes e-business and storage software for businesses. Per-share consensus estimate for the second fiscal quarter: profit of 2 cents.

  • JDS Uniphase manufactures optical components for telecom equipment makers. Per-share consensus estimate for the first fiscal quarter: loss of 3 cents.

  • Level 3 Communications provides optical communication services to telecom carriers and Internet service providers. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of $1.92.

  • Primedia publishes trade magazines and also owns and operates a variety of Web sites including About.com. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 55 cents.

  • Sapient is a consulting firm that provides businesses with strategy, software, Web site design and other technology services related to the Internet. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 7 cents.

  • Varian Semiconductor Equipment makes manufacturing equipment for chipmakers. Per-share consensus estimate for the fourth fiscal quarter: loss of 21 cents.

  • VeriSign develops security software for the Internet and computer networks. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 16 cents.

  • WorldCom provides long distance phone service to businesses and consumers. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: profit of 16 cents.

Friday, Oct. 26
  • Ericsson makes cell phones and wireless communications equipment. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: loss of 4 cents.

  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is a contract manufacturer that makes various chips for other chip companies. Per-share consensus estimate for the third quarter: zero cents.

ECONOMIC REPORTS

Monday, Oct. 22

  • The index of Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) is expected to fall 0.5 percent for September as compiled by The Conference Board, a business group. In August, the LEI dropped 0.3 percent. The index, designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle, is a combination of 10 indicators, including consumer expectations, money supply data and the change in housing permits issued. A falling index generally indicates an oncoming recession, while a climbing index signals an expansion.

Thursday, Oct. 25
  • Initial Claims refers to the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits each week as reported by the Department of Labor. Claims will be reported for the week of Oct. 20.

  • The Labor Department's Employment Cost Index measures monthly changes in compensation costs, including wages, salaries and costs to employers for employee benefits. Analysts expect the index to rise 0.9 percent for the third quarter versus the previous quarter's increase of 0.9 percent.

  • Durable Goods Orders represents the percentage increase or decrease of big-ticket items purchased, such as washing machines and refrigerators as reported monthly by the Commerce Department. Economists use the number to measure demand in the economy and expect orders to fall 1 percent in September versus a 0.3 percent drop in August.

  • The National Association of Realtors reports Existing Home Sales for the month of September, representing the number of previously built homes sold nationwide. The data indicate the strength of demand in housing and in the overall economy on the premise that the economy heats up as more consumers buy homes, cars and other high-ticket items. Economists expect sales to fall to 5.2 million homes from 5.5 million in August.

  • The Help Wanted Index for the month of September is a monthly survey by The Conference Board of the volume of help-wanted advertising in major national newspapers. Wall Street uses the index to measure trends in job growth. In August, the index fell to 53 from July's 58. The index was at 77 during August 2000.

Friday, Oct. 26
  • The Commerce Department will release New Home Sales figures for September, which represents the number of new homes sold in the United States, and serves as another measure of demand in the economy. Analysts expect new home sales to fall to 852,000 from the previous month's 898,000.

  • The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a measure of consumer confidence as reported monthly by the University of Michigan. Experts expect revised numbers for October to slip to 83.0 from a previous reading of 83.4.

  • The Treasury Budget is a monthly report of the surplus or deficit of the U.S. government from the Department of Treasury. The surplus is expected to decrease in September to $29.0 billion from $65.7 billion in August.