Execs also boasted that the release of the company's Backup Exec 10.0 product is a big step forward (see Veritas Announces New Software). That product has more efficient disk-based backup and "This puts us in an incredibly strong position going in the new year," says Bloom.
On the call, Bloom cited a number of positives, including ongoing momentum from Veritas's acquisition of KVS (see No Brainer: Veritas Buys KVS). He also touted its recently enhanced partnership with Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ), in which it becomes the preferred supplier of software for high-end products, starting in 2006. The partnership headed the list of "favorite partnerships" cited by Bloom in response to analyst queries. Another fave: Network Appliance Inc. (Nasdaq: NTAP).
Veritas has $2.55 billion in cash and short-term investments, just what it had last year at this time.
Veritas guidance was cautious, based on what would have happened without the merger. The company said it sees first-quarter revenue of $525 million to $540 million and net earnings of 18 cents to 20 cents a share. Diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis are predicted to be $0.18 to $0.20 per share.
Mary Jander, Site Editor, Byte and Switch
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