Oracle (ORCL) is chasing Salesforce.com (CRM) into the fast-growing market of marketing services delivered via the Internet “cloud.” The software giant on Friday said it plans to acquire Responsys (MKTG), a leading provider of business-to-consumer marketing services via the cloud. Oracle, fresh off reporting fiscal Q2 earnings that beat analyst estimates, will pay $1.5 billion in cash, or $27 a share, a 38% premium over Thursday’s closing price
E-commerce software maker Demandware (DWRE) can take share from IBM (IBM) and Oracle (ORCL) in the enterprise market, says Barclays, which on Thursday initiated coverage on the company with an overweight rating. Demandware stock, which has doubled since June, was up 1.5% in afternoon trading in the stock market today, near 62. Demandware helps large companies create and manage online retail stores. Its customers include Brooks Brothers, Lands’ End
Investors appear to be warming up once again to the Oracle (ORCL) story. Oracle was up 4.5% in morning trading in the stock market today after the company late Wednesday reported fiscal Q2 results that beat estimates for its second quarter. Oracle’s outlook for the current quarter was also in line with views, as IBD reported. The company had missed with results or guidance in each of the three previous quarters as it transitions to the cloud and