STOCKS TO WATCH: Dell, EMC, Lycos, Metrocall and NetSol

The following tech stocks may be among Monday's most actively traded issues: Dell, EMC, Lycos, Metrocall and NetSol International.

Dell Computer Corp (Nasdaq: DELL)

After rising more than 11 percent Friday after beating forecasts in its quarterly report, the computer-maker is expected to unveil a new workstation designed for online investors.

'It's a complete package with tools similar to those found on trading floors,' Dell Spokesman David Graves said Friday. 'These customers have high-performance needs. They're sophisticated, tech-savvy.'

Analysts also made positive comments about its efforts to position itself in high-growth computer markets. Shares of Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) closed up 5 3/16 at 49 7/8 Friday.

EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC)

EMC said it has dropped its agreement to buy $3 billion worth of disk drives over five years from International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), as part of a settlement of patent litigation between the two companies.

In March 1999, EMC agreed to buy $3 billion worth of disk drives from IBM over the next 5 years. Purchases from IBM since that agreement haven't kept pace with the $3 billion goal, and it has become clear that the dollar target is unrealistic.

The prior agreement has reportedly been replaced with a standard contract that does not include a specific sales target or penalties for failing to meet it, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Lycos (Nasdaq: LCOS)

Spanish Internet service provider Terra Networks (Nasdaq: TRRA) said it was in talks with U.S. Internet media network provider Lycos in a move that could create a new global Internet giant behind America Online Inc. (NYSE: AOL) and Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO).

Terra is considering an acquisition of Lycos for at least $10 billion in stock, though there is a significant chance the two sides won't reach a deal, according to people familiar with the matter cited in Monday's Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition.

Terra and Lycos could opt to form an Internet alliance, people familiar with the situation warned. Initial discussions had focused entered on an alliance but then progressed to include acquisition talks.

Lycos shares closed Friday at 54 1/8 while Terra Networks ended at 59 3/8.

Metrocall Inc. (MCLL):

The paging and wireless messaging company said has revised the accounting of a Series C convertible preferred stock transaction with AT&T Wireless Services Inc. (NYSE: T). Metrocall had reported a gain of $78.6 million from the transaction that's now being accounted for as an increase to its shareholder equity. Metrocall fell 1/32 to 6 Friday.

NetSol International Inc. (Nasdaq: NTWK):

The software maker's shares sank Friday after it said its loss widened to 8 cents a share for the third quarter ended March 31 from 6 cents in the year-earlier quarter. NetSol fell 8 to 38 at Friday's close. >