Credit Suisse Disruptive Technology Portfolio Mover Of The Week: Server Fears Hit Red Hat

Open source software bellwether Red Hat tumbled almost 7% last week, contributing to a decline in the larger Credit Suisse Disruptive Technology Portfolio. A slowdown in Linux server shipments hurt Red Hat shares, as did continuing worries that Oracle might become a more direct competitor to Red Hat.

Research firm Gartner published a report last week showing that Linux server shipments grew only 32% year over year in the first quarter of 2006. While 32% is respectable growth, it's down from the 45% growth rate of 2005. It's still unclear whether the lower server shipment growth was caused by 1Q seasonal issues or something more fundamental to the market, but the report clearly made investors worry about Red Hat's growth potential. In addition, there has been speculation that Oracle would begin offering Linux-based middleware to compete with Red Hat ever since Red Hat acquired open source software vendor JBoss in March. Broad declines in tech stocks also hurt Red Hat shares last week.

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