A continued focus on margins and little change in activity in database demand will likely keep many investors on the sidelines until some more convincing catalysts are in evidence.

Uncertainty surrounding Oracle's model does not give us confidence that the company can continue to grow earnings at a rate that would drive 20 percent or better stock-price appreciation into 2002.

We remain cautiously optimistic on Microsoft as the company slowly transitions itself from its reliance on desktop software and continues to roll out its higher growth, server side software.

Management may temper that outlook slightly given the ongoing difficulty in the PC environment.