Novell Doubles First-Quarter Profits

Novell posted strong first-quarter results yesterday thatshow evidence of brisk sales of NetWare 5.0 in the face ofMicrosoft's delays in delivering network directory software.The networking software vendor reported profits of $28.9million, or 8 cents per share, for the period ended Jan. 31.That's up from $14.1 million, or 4 cents per share, for thesame quarter in 1998.

Novell pulled in $285.8 million in revenue, a 13% jump overthe $252 million it reported last year. Novell chairman andCEO Eric Schmidt credits the company's strong showing tohealthy sales of NetWare 5.0 being "amplified by newdirectory-related products." Looking forward, the companysays it plans to forge ahead in areas it has nottraditionally competed, as well as continue to exploit thered-hot directory services market.

Novell reported sales of directory-enabled products supplied88% of the total revenue for the quarter, with the remainingrevenue coming from older predirectory products.The company'sstock closed yesterday at 20-7/8, up 1-7/8.