And the market breathes a sigh of relief …

Jul 13, 2009 | Hot Topics

I’ve been wrong so often on pre-announcements that I waited this time until companies announce their earnings dates: ANSYS and PTC both announced today the dates and times of their June quarter earnings calls, which means that neither is likely to announce results...

MSC to be acquired by Symphony Tech Group and Elliott Assoc

Jul 8, 2009 | Hot Topics

As we’ve been wondering for a while: MSC today announced that Symphony Technology Group would be paying shareholders approximately $360 million in cash for the company, a 13% premium to yesterday’s closing share price of $6.75, with financing provided in part by...

MSC CEO staying on – at least for now

Jul 7, 2009 | Hot Topics

According to yesterday’s filing with the SEC, MSC Software interim CEO Ashfaq Munshi is continuing on beyond the June 30 deadline originally imposed by the company’s Board of Directors—and will be paid a $500,000 bonus when a permanent CEO is appointed. The filing...

Rumor-mongering: no news on MSC

Jul 2, 2009 | Hot Topics

Yesterday was July 1, the date on which Elliot Associates’ “standstill” agreement with MSC Software expired. Under the February agreement, Elliott Associates could not buy the additional shares that would give it a 20% stake in MSC, enough to affect management...

Busy busy — quick updates

Jun 23, 2009 | Hot Topics

Too busy to craft anything long or thoughtful — I know I owe you a more detailed analysis of PTC’s investor presentation — but in the meantime:- are companies getting too big? I’ve been talking to people responsible for coordinating PLM...

ESI reports currency helped license growth in April quarter

Jun 11, 2009 | Hot Topics

ESI Group reported preliminary results for the quarter ended April 30 that included surprising news: license revenue was up 3% as reported, helped by favorable exchange rates. Update:On a constant currency organic basis, license revenue dropped 6.3% in the period.The...

Catching Up: Bentley, Intergraph, PTC, Siemens and COFES

Jun 9, 2009 | Hot Topics

I may be quite busy and on travel, but the engineering software world rolls on. A couple of interesting tidbits:- According to Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems, engineering software provides significant return on investment by improving standards of living through...

Updated: ANSYS OK in Q1 but lowers 2009 guidance

May 7, 2009 | Hot Topics

ANSYS announced Q1 results today, with GAAP revenue of $116.3 million coming inslightly lower than the company’s earlier forecast of between $117 million and $129 millionbut still up from last year’s reported $109.5 million.Like everyone else in the...

Updated: MSC interim CEO definitely in charge

May 7, 2009 | Hot Topics

MSC Software announced this afternoon that its results were within guidance and that it is seeing the same declines in new license revenue shown by other PLM suppliers. MSC reported total revenue for the first quarter to $53.6 million, down 12% from last year, led by...