We've seen it going on since the market bottom, the endless driving of tech higher and higher. We get the wireless bottom, thanks Nokia (NOK); the personal computer bottom, thanks Intel (INTC); the gadget bottom, thanks Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM); the TV bottom, thanks Corning (GLW) and Best Buy (BBY); the software bottom, thanks to Oracle (ORCL) buying Sun Microsystems (JAVA) for its software and IBM (IBM) celebrating its software on its quarter; and the dot-com bottom represented by great earnings from Google (GOOG) and decent numbers from rejuvenated management teams at Yahoo! (YHOO) and eBay (EBAY).

"It is tech that most intrigues me. I don't like it when companies that preannounce good have to give you an actual report, because unless it is better than good, you typically get a free short. That is how IBM (IBM) feels to me and I suspect it will be down tomorrow for not having enough juice. I am sure someone will downgrade it thinking, 'A-ha -- this is why it needed Sun Micro (JAVA)!'" ("Deciphering the Washout," April 20, 2009)

Cramer: Sun Is a Mistake for IBM: Jim Cramer does not think IBM should go after a hardware name like SUN, but should stick with software. Real Money TV viewers get Cramer's videos first and commercial free!
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Can the Bulls Hold On?: Since March 9 the S&P 500 has advanced about 20 percent, and after a big bounce Monday, Wall Street takes pause. The question at hand: was it a classic bear market rally or the beginning of a bull market advance?
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Stock Search: Citigroup Tops the List.: Stock Search: Alix Steel details the top 10 most searched stocks on thestreet.com
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takeover

this was my speculative choice

Southeastern Asset Management converted its passive 13G filing to a 13D filing, and has disclosed that it has talked with Sun Micro's management, and will have additional conversations with management and/or third parties regarding opportunities to maximize the company's value for all shareholders.

Southeastern Asset Management will continue discussions with Sun's management or third parties regarding ways to maximize shareholder value, and might suggest actions to assist in boosting or realizing that value. Southeastern reported ownership of about 160.57 million shares (21.2% of the total outstanding).

The Santa Carla, CA-based maker of networking systems announced that its board approved the buyback of up to $1 billion in common stock. This plan comes in additions to the $3 billion-dollar program that was announced in the fourth quarter of 2007. Under this plan, about $37 million remain. The company added that the repurchases will be made from time to time and have no expiration date.

Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems said, "With $3.3 billion in cash and marketable debt securities, we have maintained a strong balance sheet and feel confident that this program will allow us to further pursue strategic opportunities for growth."

The buyback was announced with Sun’s disappointing fourth quarter earnings. During the quarter profit dropped 73% to $88 million, or 11 cents a share, down from $329 million, or 36 cents a share in the same period last year. Analysts were expecting 27 cents a share. Quarterly revenue came in at $3.78 billion, versus $3.84 bill in the year-ago period.

After the company forecasted a “slight” sales decline in the first quarter and hinted that it wouldn’t make a profit, shares plunged 13%. JAVA noted that economic pressures and restructuring changes will continue to hurt their bottom-line.

Don't know when to take a deal

messed up deal with IBM

seems stagnant

let investors down since 1999.

Sun does not seem to be gaining market share.

BAD ELECTRICS

own it

Can't seem to make it work.

LOST A LOT OF MONEY

Burned in the past