Summit Research Comments on Oracle Following Q1 Earnings

In a note released Friday morning, Summit analyst, Rich Williams discussed his takeaways from Oracle Corporation's

first quarter earnings report and announced management shift. Williams began by noting the company missed consensus on both the top and bottom line, which he says was due to weaker revenues from new licenses, hardware, and services as well as higher than expected operating expenditures. Looking to the management shift, Williams says Larry Ellison stepping down appears to be "more cosmetic than substantive". He based this on Ellison's 25 percent stake in the company as well as his position on the board. In a look to the future, Williams is predicting an EPS of $3.08 for fiscal 2015 and $3.37 for fiscal 2016. Williams currently has a $35 price target for Oracle and has reiterated a Hold rating.