Forte Software : No. 1 on High-Priced Companies

Potential is what investors must see in Forte Software.

The Oakland-based company makes Forte, a hot software “environment” that enables banking, insurance and other companies to develop and run their own programs. Such technology has become increasingly important as businesses have moved away from using mainframe computers and toward complicated networks of personal computers.

The 5-year-old company completed an initial public offering in March, and Wall Street obviously likes its prospects: Forte has a market capitalization of $866 million, but a book value of just $4.5 million. Its shares have lately traded above $60.

Forte last month reported 1995 fourth-quarter revenue of $11.1 million, up 187% from a year earlier.