Oracle Slips in Database Software

Oracle Corp.’s lead in the database software market shrank last year, as IBM Corp. and Microsoft Corp. boosted sales, market researcher IDC said. Oracle’s share of the $13-billion market declined to 39.4% last year from 41.7% in 2001, IDC said. IBM’s portion increased to 33.6% from 31%, and Microsoft’s rose to 11.1% from 9.7%.

Oracle shares fell 30 cents to $10.76, and Microsoft fell 61 cents to $22.95 on Nasdaq. IBM fell $2.20 to $75.70 on the New York Stock Exchange.

From Bloomberg News