Prime Computer Inc warns that current published earnings estimates by financial analysts for its first quarter are significantly higher than the company expects to report – profits will be affected by the combination of defence costs incurred in trying to fend off MAI Basic Four Inc, and specific business lost because a significant number of customers have indicated an unwillingness to buy from a heavily debt-laden company such as is contemplated in the MAI tender offer, so that some customers say they are holding up procurement decisions until the situation is resolved; lay-off costs will also hurt it.
