Commenting on less than sparkling fiscal first quarter figures (page five) Provo, Utah-based Novell Inc says that diversification and growth from new software offerings has meant that even with increases in NetWare product revenue, NetWare operating system products decreased to 66% of total revenue in the period; growth in turnover exceeded growth in net profit primarily because of increases in expenses following Novell’s acquisition of four companies in mid-1993 – the acquisitions brought significant increases in product development and marketing expenses that cut the operating margin to 32% from 39% in the first fiscal quarter of 1993; on a geographic basis, US turnover grew 27%, average growth outside the US was 12%, but while growth in Japan and Southern Europe, growth was well over 50%, Central Europe saw declines compared with 1993; the US accounted for 53% of total business, up from 50% a year ago.
