TECHNOLOGY - Oct. 28, 1998

Computer Sciences Corp. shares fell 10% on concern that the commercial business group of the third-biggest provider of computer consulting and maintenance services is growing at a slower-than-expected rate. Computer Sciences shares fell $5.88 to close at $51.13 on the NYSE. The El Segundo-based company had $6.6 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ended April 3. It said profit rose 25% for its second quarter ended Oct. 2, driven by strong demand in Europe as revenue rose 17%. Yet U.S. commercial sales--which include management consulting, outsourcing and systems integration--grew 9.5%, falling short of estimates of 18%, said David Keil, analyst at Robinson-Humphrey. Keil said it may be necessary for analysts to lower earnings estimates for 2000. Keil said he’s comfortable with his 2000 earnings estimate of $2.50, but he said some analyst’s estimates are $2.75, which is “very aggressive.”