Sun reports another loss

Sun Microsystems has posted a $123m (£72m) first-quarter loss. The result included figures from recent acquisitions StorageTek and SeeBeyond.

The loss compared with a $133m loss for the same quarter last year. Sales increased almost 4% to $2.73bn for the quarter to 25 September.

StorageTek and SeeBeyond contributed $226m in sales, but the total sales figure was below market forecasts.

While Sun chief executive Scott McNealy was optimistic about “nice-looking numbers” and the potential for growth from the acquisitions, the market disagreed and sent Sun’s share price down 4%.

Symantec’s and Dell’s share prices also dived 9% and 5% respectively this week after the companies reported results below forecasts.

McNealy has promised the introduction of Sun’s new Niagara multicore processor in Sun servers before the end of the year.