Microsoft, RIM, Sourcefire: Tech Premarket

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Microsoft (MSFT) was a tech loser in premarket trading on Tuesday, falling 0.79% to $30.32 after announcing a $6.2 billion asset impairment charge late on Monday.

The charge is in relation to Microsoft's $6.3 billion acquisition of aQuantive in 2007, according to a statement released after market close. The software giant plans to record the "non-cash, non-tax-deductible income statement charge," in its fiscal fourth quarter ended in June.

Microsoft was also one of the most active premarket Nasdaq stocks on share volume of 46,678.

Shares of the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant closed down 0.1% during Monday's trading.

Research In Motion (RIMM) slipped 0.13% to $7.48 as investors continued to digest the company's ongoing woes. The embattled Canadian handset maker saw its shares tank on weaker-than-anticipated first-quarter results last week.

Sourcefire (FIRE) was a major tech laggard on Tuesday, tumbling 1.72% to $51.50. Late Monday the network security specialist announced that CEO John Burris has taken a medical leave of absence to undergo a series of treatments for colon cancer. Chief Technology Officer Martin Roesch has been named interim CEO.

"It is in my best interest and that of the Company that I take this time to focus on my health, while Marty and the rest of our proven and highly experienced executive team continue to execute the strategy we have developed together," explained Burris, in a statement released after market close. "I am committed to actively reengaging in the business as soon as my health permits."

Sourcefire also announced preliminary second-quarter results, with revenue and adjusted earnings per share expected to be at the high end or slightly above management's guidance. The Columbia, Md.-based company had forecast revenue between $46.5 million and $48.5 million and adjusted earnings of 12 cents a share to 14 cents a share.

Dell (DELL), which announced its $2.4 billion acquisition of Quest Software (QSFT) on Monday, dipped 0.36% to $12.34 before market open. The PC giant's shares were off 1% during Monday's trading.

--Written by James Rogers in New York.

Follow @jamesjrogers

>To submit a news tip, send an email to: [e-mail].

1 2 Next › Last »