Q3: So, how did we do?

Nov 18, 2009 | Hot Topics

It’s always hard to create context around companies whose businesses, and business models, are so different but we can draw a couple of conclusions now that Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes and PTC have reported for the summer quarter: • Starting at the top: all three...

ANSYS Q3: Short-term caution, long-term optimism?

Nov 9, 2009 | Hot Topics

By now, you’ve undoubtedly seen ANSYS’ Q3 results. To quickly recap, revenue was $128.2 million, up 5% from a year ago and at the high end of guidance — but disappointing nonetheless as organic revenue (without Ansoft) fell 5.5% and total software license...

WSJ: Jittery Companies Stash Cash

Nov 3, 2009 | Hot Topics

The Wall Street Journal had a great article yesterday on the apparent hoarding of cash by America’s public companies. According to the piece, “in the second quarter, the 500 largest nonfinancial U.S. firms, by total assets, held about $994 billion in cash and short...

Earnings preview: good news ahead?

Oct 26, 2009 | Hot Topics

PTC, Dassault Systèmes (DS) and ANSYS report third quarter earnings over the next ten days, so it’s time for a preview. Each company has kept a tight lid on things, so only insiders know what will be reported but we can look to other company’s reports for...

Three tools to measure Twitter success

Oct 24, 2009 | Hot Topics

Many companies look at hits on a website, clickthroughs from advertising, numbers of “friends” and mentions in blogs (to name just a few) to measure the success of online activities. I’m not sure that these are meaningful, but how can you evaluate success without some...

Small world: Gallello takes reins at MSC

Oct 14, 2009 | Hot Topics

Symphony Technology Group (STG) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of MSC Software for a grand total of $390 million and that Dominic Gallello will be taking over as CEO.According to the press release, STG "will build a stronger company,...

Shareholders vote today on MSC/Symphony deal

Oct 9, 2009 | Hot Topics

MSC.Software Corporation holds a meeting today at 9AM Pacific at which shareholders will have their say on the deal reached last month with Symphony Technology Group to buy the company for $8.40 per share in cash. The share closed yesterday at $8.41, so someone still...

Autodesk selects first Algor resellers

Oct 5, 2009 | Hot Topics

Autodesk is finally announcing that seven resellers have been selected and are qualified to sell the Algor product line. Before its acquisition by Autodesk, Algor products were available in the US through online and telephone sales and in the Europe, the Middle East...

Are we done? MSC accepts Symphony offer of $8.40/share

Sep 29, 2009 | Hot Topics

MSC.Software Corporation announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Symphony Technology Group at $8.40 per share in cash. Recall that MSC announced that it had received an offer from third-party private equity firms to acquire the company for...

Hmm: Some on Wall St think we’re not done with MSC

Sep 27, 2009 | Hot Topics

We’ll find out soon enough, but at least some investors think that MSC has or is about to receive an offer of more than $8.30 per share. The stock closed the week at $8.31 but dipped back to $8.26 in after-hours trading on Friday. We’ve gone from a total deal value of...