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STOCKS TO WATCH: Credence Systems, Dell and Pixar

2 min read

Expect the following technology stocks to be among Friday's most actively traded issues: Credence Systems, Dell and Pixar.

  • Credence Systems (Nasdaq: CMOS)

    Credence shares should be interesting to watch Friday after the maker of automatic test equipment beat analysts' estimates by a penny a share in its third quarter.

    In the quarter, Credence earned $49.3 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, excluding special charges, on sales of $204 million.

    First Call Corp. consensus was looking for a profit of 75 cents a share in the quarter.

    Its shares closed off 1 1/16 to 39 1/4 ahead of the earnings report.

    The $204 million in sales marks a 289 percent improvement from the year-ago quarter when it earned $2.9 million, or 6 cents a share, on sales of $52.4 million.

    Last quarter, Credence Systems earned $33.5 million, or 63 cents a share, on sales of $153.8 million.

  • Dell Computer (Nasdaq: DELL)

    Dell may face some pressure Friday despite topping analysts' estimates by a penny a share in its second quarter, earning $603 million, or 22 cents a share, on sales of $7.7 billion.

    First Call Corp. consensus expected the PC maker to earn 21 cents a share in the quarter.

    Its shares closed off 1/16 to 41 3/4 ahead of the earnings report.

    The $7.7 billion in sales marks a 25 percent improvement from the year-ago quarter when it earned $507 million, or 19 cents a share, on sales of $6.14 billion. But the revenue figures were slightly lower than analysts had hoped for.

    Company officials credited an enhanced product mix and favorable pricing and component costs for the upside surprise.

    "Our second-quarter results and expectations for strong industry demand in the second half of the year keep us on track toward our goal of 30-percent full-year sales growth," said CEO Michael Dell in a prepared release.

    First Call Corp. consensus expects it to earn 25 cents a share in its third quarter and 92 cents a share in the fiscal year.

  • Pixar Animation Studios (Nasdaq: PIXR)

    Pixar should move higher Friday after it beat the Street in its second quarter, earning $8 million, or 16 cents a share, on sales of $18.3 million.

    First Call Corp. consensus expected it to pocket 14 cents a share in the quarter.

    Its shares closed off 1/2 to 33 13/16 ahead of the earnings report.

    Company officials now expect it to earn $1.30 a share in the fiscal year, up from the $1.25 a share it had predicted after the first quarter.