Drives me crazy
These kinds of stories make me nuts. So VMware has a majority share of the market, and grew its business, and the stock takes a dump because they didn't meet the "analysts" expectations.
Apple stock was above $190 just before they announced their Q4 numbers, which were the best quarter they'd ever had, and up 48% over previous year. Now their stock is around $160. Why? "Analysts" expectations.
Where do these people get all that power? If they could run a company, they would. Instead they sit in the peanut gallery and throw recommendations, and punish the company if they aren't followed.
The stock market is becoming a joke. Para mutual wagering, like at the dog track. "I bet I can guess which way that stock will move better than you and the rest of your lot can do."
Time was, people bought stock in a company because they respected the company and wanted to own a piece of it. They expected to make return on their investment in dividends.
Now, a company that pays dividends is considered foolish. That money should be spent on some kind of acquisition to insure continued growth. And growth is necessary because movement is the way these short-term investors make money. Never mind if the company is solidly in the black, holding down their place in the market, returning steady profits. No, not good enough! They have to grow so funds managers can hold their stock for a year and then dump it for a profit.
Bah!
<here endeth the rant of an old fart>