DEC took over from IBM in leading Wall Street down yesterday after analysts made bearish comments on the prospects for the minimaker. At 11.40am New York time, DEC was off a full $9.375 at $97.50, IBM was off $1.125 at $108.75 and the Dow was down about five points. US order rates for both new and old products at DEC will be below previous expectations for several quarters, according to Laura Conigliaro, a Prudential-Bache analyst, who says she reached this conclusion with guidance from DEC. She has lowered earnings estimate for the March quarter to $1.90 a share from the previous $2.27 and for the year to June to $9 a share from $9.65. This time last year, DEC did $2.33 a share, $9.90 in the full year.
