S&P's Tech Company Report Card, Pt. 3

Software Service Providers

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Red Hat (RHAT )B/StableRapid subscriber growth continues to fuel 2004 growth rates of over 50%. EBITDA margin has been maintained at 20%. Still, debt to EBITDA is over 15x on a run-rate basis. Cash in excess of debt provides ratings support. Expectations are for measured acquisitions and share repurchases.Reynolds & Reynolds (REY )BBB/NegativeIn the first quarter, revenues for the software solutions segment declined 3% year over year, the documents segment declined 5%, and the financial services segment declined 18% (to $7 million) for a consolidated 4% decline. However, cash flow generation supports the current ratings.We expect Reynolds & Reynolds gradually to restore operating performance to histor