The week ahead: Intel, Apple to post earnings after warnings

Following are some of the notable tech-related events scheduled for the week of Oct. 16-20.

Once again, earnings reports top the list of notable events this week, with many bellwether technology companies preparing to announce their results to a skeptical audience of investors and analysts.

Companies announcing results this week include those that recently dragged down the Nasdaq with earnings warnings, including Intel, Apple Computer and Eastman Kodak.

Following the warnings, shares of Intel fell 22 percent, Apple plummeted nearly 50 percent, and Eastman Kodak dropped 25 percent. In theory, the market will have already adjusted for the companies' reduced estimates, although investors have given the cold shoulder to many companies that have met expectations.

Other companies expected to announce earnings this week include Sprint PCS, Handspring, Time Warner, America Online, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, E*Trade, eBay and MP3.com.

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

Among the events scheduled this week:

	Tech Events

Monday, Oct. 16

• The Information Technology Association of America will host the Global InfoSec conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 16-17. The conference will focus on information security and privacy and will include a debate on technology issues between representatives of Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore.

• The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and the Wireless Data Forum will host CTIA Wireless IT 2000, a wireless Internet conference in Santa Clara, Calif., Oct. 16-18 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Keynote speakers will include executives from AOL Wireless, Inktomi and Microsoft.

• Morgan Stanley Dean Witter will host an Internet conference in London Oct. 16-17.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

• The Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing is hosting a conference on broadband in Santa Clara Oct. 18-19. Keynote speakers will include Paul Bosco, Cisco Systems vice president of marketing, and Redpoint Ventures senior partner Geoff Yang.

Friday, Oct. 20

• AOL and Time Warner must respond by Oct. 20 to filings regarding a Federal Communications Commission investigation of Walt Disney's mishandling of sensitive documents filed by the two companies about their proposed union. The FCC will then decide on sanctions, such as suspending the lawyers' right to appear before the agency or imposing fines.

• Windows Media Player 7 for the Mac operating system will be available in a beta, or test, version. It is designed to let Mac users play content such as video clips and music encoded with Windows Media technology.

	Earnings

Monday, Oct. 16

• ="" rel="">Axcelis Technologies makes ion implantation devices for the semiconductor industry. Per-share consensus estimate: 26 cents.

• Altera makes high-density programmable logic chips used in cell phones and fiber-optic networks. Per-share consensus estimate: 28 cents.

• Bell Microproducts distributes semiconductor and computer products, primarily to computer makers and resellers. Per-share consensus estimate: N/A.

• JNI makes fibre channel adapters that connect computer servers to data storage devices. Per-share consensus estimate: N/A.

• Cobalt Networks specializes in Linux-based server appliances, machines designed to master a single function such as hosting Web pages or managing email for small and midsize businesses. The company is being acquired by Sun Microsystems. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 6 cents.

• LifeMinders offers its more than 12 million members an email service that sends reminders of anniversaries, birthdays and special events, as well as personalized information including horoscopes and movie reviews. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 24 cents.

• Network Associates & McAfee.com develops antivirus, network management and help desk software. Per-share consensus estimate: 24 cents.

• Novellus makes semiconductor production equipment. Per-share consensus estimate: 61 cents.

• FreeShop.com is an online direct marketer that showcases more than 1,000 free, trial and promotional offers on its Web site from about 400 corporate clients, including Gillette, Pets.com and Barnsandnoble.com. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 24 cents.

Tuesday, Oct. 17

• Internet Security Systems makes network security monitoring, detection and response software. Per-share consensus estimate: 10 cents.

• Sprint PCS runs an all-digital wireless network that serves about 7.4 million subscribers. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 42 cents.

• Cypress Semiconductor makes about 500 integrated circuit products, including non-memory products such as programmable logic devices, programmable read-only memory, and specialty memory and timing chips. Per-share consensus estimate: 62 cents.

• PC Connection sells hardware, software, networking devices and peripherals. Per-share consensus estimate: 38 cents.

• Blue Martini Software develops and sells software for Internet-based business applications. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 17 cents.

• Cadence Design Systems makes electronic design automation software, which is used to design semiconductors and other products. Per-share consensus estimate: 12 cents.

• Covad Communications provides DSL service over existing copper phone lines, which are leased from local phone companies. Per-share consensus estimate: 2 cents.

• Handspring makes handheld computers. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 13 cents.

• Intel is the world's largest chipmaker. Per-share consensus estimate: 38 cents.

• RealNetworks makes RealJukebox and RealPlayer software, which locate and play audio and video over the Internet. Per-share consensus estimate: 4 cents.

• Sybase develops database systems. Per-share consensus estimate: 25 cents.

• PeopleSoft sells applications that connect customers' global back-office operations. Per-share consensus estimate: 7 cents.

• IBM makes a broad range of computers, including PCs, notebooks, mainframes and network servers. Per-share consensus estimate: $1.08.

• Xilinx makes programmable logic chips used in cell phones and fiber-optic networks. Per-share consensus estimate: 30 cents.

• HearMe develops real-time voice technology for the Web. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 28 cents.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

• Check Point Software Technologies makes firewall software that shields corporate networks from internal and external access. Per-share consensus estimate: 27 cents.

• Datalink creates high-end, custom-designed data storage systems for large corporations. Per-share consensus estimate: 16 cents.

• Eastman Kodak makes digital and traditional cameras, film, and other photographic products. Per-share consensus estimate: $1.37.

• Level 3 Communications builds fiber-optic networks. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of $1.25.

• Travelocity operates an online travel site where people can make airline reservations, book hotels and rent cars. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 24 cents.

• Time Warner, the world's largest media company, is planning to merge with AOL. Per-share consensus estimate: 4 cents.

• Ariba makes software used to track and manage supply purchases over the Internet. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 5 cents.

• Broadcom makes integrated circuits used in cable modems, digital set-top boxes, digital subscriber lines, broadcasting, home networking and wireless devices. Per-share consensus estimate: 24 cents.

• Apple Computer makes the Macintosh computer and the Mac OS operating system. Per-share consensus estimate: 31 cents.

• Akamai Technologies provides the FreeFlow Internet content delivery service, enabling customers to deliver ads, video and other high-bandwidth content. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 67 cents.

• America Online is the world's leading provider of online services, with more than 24 million subscribers. Per-share consensus estimate: 13 cents.

• Cirrus Logic produces microchips and integrated circuits. Per-share consensus estimate: 18 cents.

• Conexant Systems makes modem chips and other integrated circuits. Per-share consensus estimate: 18 cents.

• Digimarc provides patented digital watermarking technologies that can be used in magazine ads, catalogs, passports and event tickets. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 37 cents.

• EMusic sells downloadable music over the Internet. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 29 cents.

• Integrated Device Technology designs, develops, manufactures and markets semiconductors for communications and computing. Per-share consensus estimate: 71 cents.

• Macromedia makes Web design software, multimedia playback and graphics development tools. Per-share consensus estimate: 24 cents.

• Microsoft makes the Windows operating system family, the Office application suite, the Internet Explorer browser and other software. Per-share consensus estimate: 41 cents.

• Sun Microsystems makes products and markets services for networks. Per-share consensus estimate: 25 cents.

• Symantec makes Internet security software, desktop utilities and system administration software. Per-share consensus estimate: 69 cents.

• Texas Instruments makes a variety of products used in the commercial electronic and electrical equipment industry. Per-share consensus estimate: 33 cents.

• Webvan sells groceries over the Web. Per-share consensus estimate: 69 cents.

Thursday, Oct. 19

• Adaptec makes hardware and software that speeds data transfer between computers, peripherals and networks. Per-share consensus estimate: 37 cents.

• Autoweb.com provides pricing services to prospective car buyers. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 11 cents.

• Avid Technology manufacturers video editing workstations. It also makes the Digidesign line of audio workstation products. Per-share consensus estimate: 6 cents.

• E*Trade provides online brokerage services. Per-share consensus estimate: 0 cents.

• E-Stamp allows home and small-business customers to buy postage online and print it themselves. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 53 cents.

• eBay provides online auction services. Per-share consensus estimate: 4 cents.

• eGain make software for Web-based customer service applications. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 64 cents.

• Elantec makes high-performance analog integrated circuits for use in video, optical storage and xDSL applications. Per-share consensus estimate: 27 cents.

• Exodus Communications provides Internet hosting and connectivity for Web sites. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 18 cents.

• GoTo.com is a search engine that earns revenue by allowing customer sites to bid on search hit rankings. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 33 cents.

• MP3.com provides thousands of artists' MP3s for free or through low-cost subscriptions. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 12 cents.

• Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch provides local city guides, local advertising, event ticketing and merchandise on the Internet. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of 13 cents.

• TiVo makes digital home video recorders and provides a subscription-based TV service. Per-share consensus estimate: loss of $2.31.

	Economic Reports

Monday, Oct. 16

• Business inventories are expected to grow by 0.3 percent.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

• The Consumer Price Index is expected to rise by 0.4 percent.

• Housing starts are expected to reach 1.545 million, up from 1.531 million last month.

Thursday, Oct. 19

• Initial claims refers to the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits. No estimates were immediately available.

• The trade balance is expected to decrease to negative $31.8 billion, from negative $31.9 billion last month.

Also this week

• Technology IPOs include Alcatel Optronics--a Paris-based company that makes optical components for telecommunications networks--and Ixia, which evaluates the quantity and speed of transmission of data packets.