Paul Shread

In a market in which intelligent storage switch startups have faced tough going, Troika Networks may have what it takes to be a survivor. Troika announced $14.4 million in second-round funding this week, with Anthem Ventures Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, DynaFund Ventures, Hamilton Technology Ventures and Windward Ventures all participating in the round. With Pirus, […]

On a day when just about everything went right for the bulls — low inflation, falling oil prices and solid earnings — breadth was negative and the Russell 2000 closed lower. Not the prettiest set-up for the bulls, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the market pause to regroup here. The S&P (first chart […]

Investors hit the trifecta on Thursday, with strong earnings, tame inflation and falling oil prices sending stocks higher. Apple and AMD led the way higher after the two tech sector leaders reported better than expected results after the close on Wednesday. Apple rose 6% on the day, and AMD gained 3%. The broader market rose […]

The Nasdaq and S&P (first two charts below) continue to meet resistance just shy of their post-2003 highs. Both indexes also put in “inside days” today — completely within yesterday’s trading range — a sign of caution after an uptrend, but they could just reflect indecision ahead of inflation reports due out the next two […]

Apple and AMD reported better than expected results after the close on Wednesday. AMD reported earnings of three cents a share, well above analysts’ estimates for a six-cent loss, and the company’s first profit in three quarters. Revenues of $1.26 billion were flat with the year-ago quarter and above $1.22 billion forecasts. The company reported […]

The Nasdaq and S&P (first two charts below) are testing their post-2003 highs, while the Dow (third chart) has quite a ways to go to do the same. The Nasdaq faces major resistance at 2154 and 2192, and support is 2128, 2113-2116 and 2100-2106. The S&P, meanwhile, tested its four-year closing high of 1225.31, and […]

Shares of Alcatel rallied 10% Tuesday after the French telecom equipment maker said results will beat analysts expectations. Alcatel said it expects earnings of 16 cents a share in the quarter, two cents ahead of estimates, on sales of $3.82 billion. The company cited strong IP routing, optical transmission, wireless and enterprise sales for the […]

Wall Street analysts expect storage companies to fare reasonably well in second-quarter earnings reports due out this month, and they expect an even stronger second half for the sector. In a research note published last week, Merrill Lynch said it expects storage companies to meet analysts expectations for the second quarter, and to offer “healthy” […]

The Nasdaq (first chart below) has its early 2004 (2154) and early 2005 (2192) highs in sight; can the techs push through? They have a chance, but 2100-2106 must now hold as support. The S&P (second chart) is pushing 1220 resistance, with 1229, the index’s post-2003 high, waiting above that. Support is 1210-1212 and 1206. […]

Stocks posted strong gains again on Monday, fueled by mergers and another drop in oil prices, and investors scooped up tech stocks ahead of second-quarter earnings reports. Sprint edged higher after announcing plans to buy US Unwired for $1.3 billion, and Helix Technologies soared 21% on a buyout offer from Brooks Automation , heading a […]

Shares of Accenture leapt 9% Friday after the IT consulting and outsourcing firm delivered stronger than expected earnings. Accenture earnings of 51 cents a share came in well ahead of analysts 43-cent estimates, and revenues rose 11% to $4.08 billion, slightly below forecasts. The company’s August quarter guidance of 34-37 cent earnings and $3.8-$3.9 billion […]

Will today’s dramatic turnaround be the spark that finally drags the market out of the doldrums? It’s as good a chance as the bulls are likely to get. The Nasdaq (first chart below) opened the day at 2050 support and closed just below 2080-2086 resistance, with the major level of 2100 still waiting above that. […]