Microsoft's Net strategy taking shape

 

latest developments

Despite unending criticism, Microsoft must be doing something right. The company's earnings blow Wall Street estimates out of the water as it "reviews" plans to issue a tracking stock for its Net properties. "If they were to spin it out to investors and then demonstrate that the shares were significantly undervalued, that would get a lot of attention." - Brett Berry, portfolio manager, Bailard Biehl & Kaiser

Microsoft: To track, or not to track? Company executives say they are "reviewing" splitting off Microsoft's Internet holdings as a separate tracking stock but hedge on a timetable for disclosure of such a plan. Microsoft's profit surge continues The world's biggest software company says earnings rose 60 percent in its fiscal fourth quarter, well ahead of analyst expectations. Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch buys Sidewalk update Software giant Microsoft agrees to sell the city guide portion of MSN Sidewalk to Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch for a combination of Ticketmaster stock and warrants. previous coverage Microsoft may issue MSN tracking stock Microsoft considers creating new shares that track the performance of its Internet businesses, a move that would generate stock to use for acquisitions. Microsoft enters free PC throng Microsoft will offer a free computer to customers who sign up for three years of its Internet service, the latest move in a game of one-upmanship driving down the price of hardware. Bristol ruling may be wake-up call to Microsoft critics news analysis Microsoft's victory over Bristol is a strong psychological win for a company whose image has been tarnished by a series of lawsuits, but it is unlikely to give Microsoft much legal traction in other arenas.