Oracle is expected to report a revenue increase of more than 15% for the quarter ended Feb. 28 as some analysts are forecasting a resurgence in new software license sales. One report referred back to related comments made three months ago by Oracle president Safra Catz who said, "We're definitely seeing customers back buying . . . . We are really seeing a recovery."From a marketwatch.com article on the outlook for Oracle:

Analysts on average estimate Oracle will report earnings excluding special items of 38 cents a share, and $6.36 billion in revenue for the period ended in February, according to data from Thomson Reuters. That compares to earnings excluding items of 35 cents a share, and $5.5 billion in revenue in the same period last year. . . .

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Credit Suisse analyst Philip Winslow told clients in a research note published Thursday that even though the third quarter is usually relatively weak for Oracle, the company likely saw "a continued rebound" in the period.

"Our checks suggest that Oracle sales consultants are increasingly busy with presales activities, reinforcing our confidence," the analyst wrote.

The MarketWatch article also quoted Peter Goldmacher of Cowen & Co. as saying that while Oracle has been "vague in setting expectations" for Sun's near-term contributions, it's expected to contribute up to 2 cents per share in earnings, and up to $690 million in revenue, according to "consensus estimates."

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison has been adamant in stating that Sun would become profitable through growth rather than through cost-cutting, and at the Oracle-Sun coming-out party in late January he pledged that Sun's operations would become profitable beginning last month (February).

We'll all find out on Thursday, March 25, when Oracle announces its results after the market closes.