In the Tech Sector, It's Saville Low and Upward Documentum

SAN FRANCISCO -- Document-management software company Documentum (DCTM Quote) added to its recent gains this afternoon after an encouraging strategic forum in New York City on Tuesday.

An analyst who attended the forum said the company's management clearly understands the importance of hitting its first-quarter estimates after meeting its fourth-quarter numbers but guiding analysts lower for 1999. In reaction to the company's guidance, the stock price halved in January and has barely begun to recover.

The analyst noted that the company continues to have difficulty closing deals of more than $1 million, so it has had to rely on closing smaller deals more frequently to make the quarter. As of now, the analyst said he was unclear on whether the company would be able to close enough small deals to make its first-quarter estimates, he but doesn't plan on changing any estimates right now. The company is in a quiet period before reporting its first-quarter earnings. The First Call consensus estimate for the company's first quarter is for earnings of 14 cents per share. ...